I know my share of laissez-faire parents who believe that “staying chilled” is the way to keep the lines of communication open with their kids as they negotiate the hazards of secondary school and beyond. But I can’t say I’ve noticed they are any more au fait with what’s going on than the rest of us parents, prissily enforcing our strict(ish) rules and laying out our clear-cut expectations. In fact, I’d go so far as to say they know less and drink more.