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Going to her prom is likely one of the most exciting high school experiences your teenage daughter has been counting down to over the years. For a parent though, it can be a little stressful. If you want to help your daughter prepare for her prom in the best way, and ensure there’s as little friction along the way as possible, read on for some tips you can follow when the time comes.
Set a Budget
These days, with Hollywood movies showcasing glamorous prom plans and Instagram and other social media sites making it seem like a red-carpet event, it’s easy for spending on the event to get out of hand. To avoid your bank account being seriously depleted, and to help you and your teen steer clear of continual arguments over finances, it helps to set a budget.
Start by making a list of all the potential expenses and creating a budget for the overall night or individual costs. From there, your daughter might want to spend extra in one area if she agrees to cut back in another, or to fund extra expenses herself.
There are many different costs to keep in mind, so try to take note of them all when you’re putting the budget together. For starters, find out if there is a ticket cost for the prom itself, or if the event is free. Often there are additional expenses like dinner and professional photos on the night to add too. You also have potential expenses like the all-important dress, plus shoes, bag, jewelry, hair, nails, makeup, and transport (e.g. limo hire).
Make a Plan
Next, things typically go more smoothly if you and your teen sit down and put together a plan for the big day in advance. Looking at your budget will help, as it will remind you of all the various factors to consider. Will they be wanting a limo to make the night more magical, you can use Limo Find and get the best price. It is wise to put a timeline in place so that nothing ends up getting rushed or missed.
For example, go through magazines or blogs with your daughter to determine the kind of outfit and accessories she prefers; this will simplify the shopping process. Then, make sure you leave enough time to go dress shopping, or to design and make an outfit, before the big night. After all, dresses may need to be made to order or altered beforehand, so you don’t want to leave things until the last minute.
If your teen has a dream dress in mind but it’s outside the budget, you may need to check online for cheap prom dresses to find a match, or something very similar, available for a lower cost. The one you find could be located at a distance and require additional shipping time to be factored in.
If your budget allows enough money for your teen to have her hair, nails, and/or makeup professional done on the day, it pays to book this in with a trusted practitioner well in advance. Popular people can book out quickly, particularly if you live in a smaller area. This is also the case if limo hire is on the agenda.
Another important part of planning is finding out how your daughter will be getting to and from the prom and any other events. You should get a copy of all the relevant contact details for the driver, venue, after-party host, and the like. Make a plan with your teen about what to do if she feels unsafe at any stage during the night too.
Boost Self-Confidence and Keep Expectations Realistic
Another important step to consider doing before prom is chatting with your daughter about her expectations for the event, and discussing her feelings. While it’s lovely that the prom can be such a “coming of age” event for teens, these days there also seems to be a lot of pressure put on girls to look a certain way or to have the best night of their lives.
As a result, it helps to manage expectations and to ensure your daughter remains feeling good in herself, particularly if she doesn’t get asked to the prom by her dream date or if she is worried about her weight or looks or how to behave at the event. Feeling pressured by her peers or date to do or take part in something may also be weighing on her mind.
Let your teen know you’re keen for her to have a fantastic and memorable prom, but that she needs to keep in mind it’s just one night in her life, and she will have many more exciting things to look forward to. As well, check in with your daughter regularly in the lead up to the prom, and look for ways to boost her self-confidence whenever you can. It helps to take the time to listen to her concerns so that you can understand exactly how she is feeling, too, rather than making assumptions and leaving her potentially feeling anxious and alone.
