The Bert Show – Vault: We Debate Over Parents Hosting 'Safe Parties' For Teens

Release Date: April 8, 2026

Overview

In this energetic episode, the hosts dive into a controversial trend: “safe” grad parties organized by parents, where teens can drink alcohol under adult supervision in attempts to mitigate risks like drunk driving. The cast debates the ethics, legality, and practicality of these events, drawing from personal experiences, listener call-ins, and local laws. The conversation is candid and sprinkled with the show’s trademark humor, skepticism, and open storytelling, resulting in a multifaceted examination of how adults handle teen drinking.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The North Dakota "Safe Grad" Party Case ([01:59])

• Set-Up: Parents in North Dakota planned a supervised graduation party where teens (10th grade and up) could drink pre-ordered, prepaid alcohol (beer, vodka, rum, rye). Each attendee could have up to 10 drinks. Parental consent forms were mandatory.
• Initial Shock: The cast is incredulous at the allowance of up to 10 drinks per teen.
  • “You can bring them with you also, but it's gonna be supervised here and you'll be allowed up to 10 drinks. That's it.” – Host ([03:30])
• Legal Query: Co-hosts and callers question the legality of such parties, especially with minors and high quantities of alcohol.

Legality and Parental Responsibility ([04:10], [09:20])

• Grey Areas: The hosts acknowledge discrepancies in state laws. Reports suggest in some places (potentially Georgia), minors aged 17–21 can drink at home under supervision by someone 25 or older ([09:21]).
  • “One of our officers actually did come in and tell us that if the adult is 25 or over, minors between the ages of 17 and 21 are allowed to drink in their own home.” – Caller “Amanda” ([09:21])
• Clarifications: Others argue this isn’t universally true, and a parent could face legal trouble if something went wrong—even if the drinking was supervised.

The "Cool Parent" Dilemma ([05:58], [06:29])

• Skepticism Towards 'Cool Parenting': Some cast members express distrust of adults who think they can be “the cool parent” by allowing underage drinking.
  • “For some reason I just, I think less of that parent because I just don't think you can be a cool parent.” – Co-host 2 ([05:58])
• Personal Anecdotes:
  • Co-host 3 shares a cautionary tale about being taken to the hospital from a supervised party because she drank too much, noting parental presence isn’t a guarantee of safety ([07:06]).
  • “If the parents aren't really super supervising, the kids are drinking too much and getting into trouble anyway.” – Co-host 3 ([07:34])

Pros & Cons of Supervised Drinking ([07:40]–[13:32])

• Host’s Parental Perspective: The host admits he’d consider allowing his future teen to attend such a party—but only if he deeply trusted the organizing parents ([07:40]).
• Practical Concerns: Discussion highlights the challenges for parents hosting supervised parties, including monitoring for both drinking and other behaviors (sex, sneaking out, etc.).
  • “It is staying up all night long, taking shifts and making sure that, you know, there's no sex going on upstairs or downstairs.” – Host ([13:16])
• Arguments For: Some parents prefer knowing their kids are safe and off the roads, even if they’re drinking ([11:57], [12:41]).
  • “I would much rather know that my daughter is safe at somebody's house than out drinking and having to drive home.” – Caller “Sherry” ([12:41])
• Arguments Against: Others fear this approach encourages underage drinking, teaches kids rules are flexible, and doesn’t stop rebellious behavior elsewhere.
  • “If you think that that's going to keep them from being out in the field doing, you know, having a keg party ... the very next weekend, then you're naive.” – Co-host 2 ([13:33])

Communication and Cultural Expectations ([14:15], [15:18])

• Opening the Conversation: Co-host 3 argues that allowing (and talking about) supervised drinking may at least foster open communication between parents and teens.
  • “...At least this party opens up the conversation about drinking...here are the ramifications if you don't follow the right rules.” – Co-host 3 ([14:15])
• Counterpoint—Upholding Tradition & Law: Some listeners strongly oppose any parental sanctioning of underage drinking; they argue teens will find their own boundaries without adult-enabled drinking ([14:48], [15:28]).
  • “What happened to children being children?...This is why kids get into the trouble that they get into nowadays because everything's acceptable.” – Caller “Daphne” ([14:48], [15:28])
  • “The law is 21. If you don't like that law, then teach your kids how to work to change it.” – Co-host 1 ([16:40])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You can bring them with you also, but it's gonna be supervised here and you'll be allowed up to 10 drinks. That's it.” – Host ([03:30])
• “Ten alcoholic drinks.” – Co-host 2 ([03:38])
• “That many alcoholic drinks at one time is considered binge drinking...10 drinks, everybody's allowed to have 10 drinks.” – Host ([03:56])
• “Any parent can be the cool parent...for some reason I just, I think less of that parent.” – Co-host 2 ([05:58])
• “I got an ambulance called on me because I drank so much. Now at that age...all of us at 15, if you're throwing up, that's just what happens when you've had too many beers at 15, which was probably three.” – Co-host 3 ([07:06])
• “If the parent is responsible enough to actually hover over the kids. And then I can endorse it, but you really have to know the parent pretty well.” – Host ([08:29])
• “The fact that your parents didn't know. I'm gonna let you go on this, but your mom could be fired from work, she could be arrested...” – Caller ([11:06])
• “I would much rather know that my daughter is safe at somebody's house than out drinking and having to drive home.” – Caller ([12:41])
• “If you think that that's going to keep them from being out in the field...the very next weekend, then you're naive.” – Co-host 2 ([13:33])
• “...at least this party opens up the conversation about drinking.” – Co-host 3 ([14:15])
• “What happened to children being children?” – Caller ([14:48])
• “The law is 21. If you don't like that law, then teach your kids how to work to change it...” – Co-host 1 ([16:40])

Key Timestamps

• [01:59] – Introduction of the North Dakota supervised grad party example
• [03:56] – Concerns about binge drinking and legality
• [05:58] – Hosts discuss “cool parent” syndrome
• [07:06] – Co-host personal story: supervised party gone wrong
• [08:13] – Host’s take as a parent: trusting other parents
• [09:21] – Caller explains a possible legal loophole in Georgia
• [10:39] – Intern Jo shares personal experience: parents unaware, party shut down by police
• [12:41] – Parent caller shares her “safety first” approach
• [13:33] – Debate over whether supervised parties stop rebellious teen behavior
• [14:15] – Co-host on how open discussions help teens
• [14:48] – Caller pushback: “Let kids be kids,” stay firm on the law
• [16:04] – Host’s reflection on parental modeling and consequences

Takeaway

The episode lands without firm consensus, exposing the complexities of parental choices around underage drinking. The cast and callers agree that "10 drinks per teen" is universally unsafe, but the broader question of supervised parties splits the group. Some feel these events offer safer alternatives and conversation opportunities; others insist any adult-sanctioned underage drinking is misguided or illegal. The show’s authentic approach brings nuance and real-world messiness to the issue, making it essential listening for parents and teens alike.