High school prom is suppose to be one of the biggest positive experiences that a teenager is allowed to attend.  The excitement of asking someone out (or, being asked to go to prom), selecting the right dress or tux, eating dinner at a fabulous restaurant and dancing with that “special person” on a date!  Prom night should be this much fun and parents need to be part of the planning.  Below are some prom night suggestions for parents and teens to follow:

Preparing for Prom

 Talk to Your Teen About Prom

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 For Prom

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.