Going to a high school prom can be a great experience for the participants and parents. For many students, prom signifies a step toward adulthood, social acceptance and positive fun. Too often, however, prom becomes a negative event for some due to poor planning, false expectations and a lack of parent supervision or involvement. This article was written to help parent anticipate prom problem situations. Recognizing, discussing and trouble-shooting prom problem before the event begins will help keep your child safe, engaged and statistically in a better position to have fun.

Preparing for Prom

Talk to Your Teen
Communication is the number one way to keeping your teenager happy and healthy. Talking to your teen will open doors for both of you and strengthen your relationship. Learn to talk to your teen about the life issues they are facing using our communication resources.

Setting the Rules and Limits for Prom Night
While the night of the prom is a special occasion and can call for a few rules to be bent – like giving a later curfew – be sure to make it perfectly clear to your teen that you will not be giving them carte blanche on your expectations.

Set a Budget
Discuss a prom budget with your child. If the budget they have come up with is more than you expected to spend, let them know that both of you will need to become creative in order to be able to get everything they want. Start looking for specials and discounts! It’s important to discuss “Who pays for what?” Yes, it’s appropriate for your child to contribute to the prom!

* Tickets – This can be either party or a shared expense.
* Attire – Both parties pay for their own attire.
* Flowers – Both parties purchase a corsage for the other.
* After Prom activities – Both parties pay their own way.
* Limousine – A shared expense for the entire group using the limousine.

Curfew
Set a curfew or a time limit for prom to end. Let your teen in on this fact before you start the discussion. If they know they can get more as long as they are doing something fun that you approve of, they will be more apt not to turn the discussion into a debate.

Parents Can Help Prevent Prom Night Drinking
One of the most effective prevention efforts is for parents to simply talk with their teens about the dangers of drinking on prom night. But that is not all that parents can do to help. There are other steps that parents can take to keep prom night healthy and safe.

Alcohol Awareness: Keeping Prom Night Safe
One of the reasons Alcohol Awareness Month is held in April is because it is the beginning of the prom and graduation season, a time when celebrations can turn dangerous for underage drinkers. Many communities conduct anti-drinking campaigns during the month aimed at curtailing alcohol use before, during and after the special events.

In 2005, during Prom and Graduation Season (April, May, June), 676 students under the age of 21 were killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Consequently, prior to prom, many schools plan programs aimed at educating kids against the dangers of drinking. These programs feature special speakers, presentations and even displays of crashed vehicles to emphasize the danger.

Some groups utilize some form of a “sober contract,” a promise that students sign agreeing to remain alcohol and drug free during the prom and graduation season.

At the event itself, many schools across the nation have begun using breathalyzers to test the blood alcohol content of prom-goers and turning away at the door those who have been drinking.

1. Rent a limo
Talk your parents into pitching in for a limo. The driver, who carts around excited passengers on a daily basis, will keep things in under control. The passengers can focus on snapping pictures, applying last-minute lipgloss, or fixing those fantastic updos. Even though a limo company can be held accountable for underage drinking, let the driver know that you do not approve of your child’s involvement with drugs and alcohol.

2. Hire a family member
Drivers can cost a pretty penny, so ask a family member or – if you don’t want take Dad along for the ride – a close family friend. Most will readily agree, but offer a small payment in the form of a free dinner, a few movie vouchers, or a small gift card.

3. Limit the number of passengers
If you’re in a five-seater, limit the passengers to five. If you rented a twelve-person limo, don’t let a few extras sneak on. Large crowds in a small vehicle can make it impossible to keep eyes on the road for the driver. Another huge factor: the number of seatbelts. On that note…

4. Buckle your seatbelt
You might have the most fabulous dress or tuxedo on, but your outfit just isn’t complete until your click that seatbelt. If celebrities consistently wear them with their Prada suits and Chanel couture, why shouldn’t you?

5. Be on time
Don’t partake in a last minute speed-race to the event. Leave your house on time and arrive at your prom with a few minutes to spare. If “fashionably late” is your thing, factor that into your schedule and arrive – purposely – a few minutes late.

6. Keep the tunes in check
A little Justin Timberlake can really get the prom party started, but don’t get the base bumpin’ just yet. Wait until the dance to crank up your tunes so that the driver can concentrate on the road instead of the lyrics of “Sexyback.”

7. Prohibit “bottled fun”
Don’t let your friends bust out the cocktails in the car. Not only is careless to show up to prom with alcohol on your breath (or worse, with gum hanging out of your mouth!), but it isn’t safe and, well, it is illegal.