The (parental) buck stops with you.  Ultimately, you’re the “responsible party” here, so make sure you agree with what you say and you can live with the consequences you decide. Also try to say it in a way your child can hear and be will be more willing to agree.  When you really look at why you’re saying what you’re saying, for example, “I want you home by 11:30 PM.” you may be abel to share your reasons and that may make it easier for your child to agree.  For instance, the simple sentence, I want you home by 11:30″ or “You better be home by 11:30″ may really mean, “I want you home before I go to sleep so I know you’re safe and I can sleep well.  When you get in at 11:30 and get to bed soon after that you’re delightful to be around the next day because you’ve had enough sleep.  So part of the reason I want you home at 11:30 is because I don’t want to deal with a grumpy kid in the morning.  Please be home by 11:30 so you can have a good time wherever you’re going, I can have a good night’s sleep and we can both enjoy each other tomorrow.  Thanks so much for cooperating in all this.”  Which one do you think your child would rather hear?