Prom Season is Here
Image details: Young couple at prom served by picapp.com
Tis the season for the “big dance” also known as Prom! From now until mid-June the sight of a limo in the neighborhood or teen girls all dressed to the nines, will be a fairly common sight. Luckily Prom is a few years off for my kids, but I still remember my prom very vividly – from the pink and white candy striped dress from GunneSax (still not as ugly as these prom dresses) to being incredibly nervous at dinner to feeling “pressured” by my date for some after party action (no, I did not give in). Teens today are still faced with these same issues, but everything seems magnified.
In her most recent podcast, Aurelia from Parenting my Teen talks with Vanessa vanPetten about:
“…the planning that is involved, from shopping for a dress or tuxedo to booking a limo and ordering flowers. She also shares the staggering calulations of how much a prom might cost you and creative ways to lessen those costs.
Part of the prom fantasy is what will happen after the prom. From after-prom parties to drinking, drugs and sex, if your teen wants to particpate in any of these vices, they WILL. Vanessa and I strongly encourage you to speak candidly with your teen about the dangers each of these things present and to help them make safe after-prom plans.”
These two ladies know their stuff and give some very sensible advice in the podcast.
Lin at Telling It Like It Is has also been talking with her daughter about prom safety, expectations, dos and don’ts and having fun safely.
Looking back on my own prom, it was definitely more hype than it was worth, and it was a bit of a let down afterward. I think it would have been more fun to just go with a group of friends – and no date. Talking with your teens can certainly help put this event into perspective and help them have fun and be sensible at the same time.
Prom safety is my primary concern, while having fun is my daughter’s primary focus, but she’s since realized the importance of keeping safe at the same time.
I’m very familiar with Vanessa’s work with teens, but wasn’t aware of Parenting My Teens, so I thank you for bringing that site to my attention. Thank you also for the linky love, I appreciate it very much.
You’re post really got me thinking about my prom. Geez – that was a while ago!
This was an interesting article and I completely agree that as parents we need to take a proactive approach to discussing these issues with our children. I’ve found the THINK prom promise program to be a great ice-breaker for having the “no drinking and driving” discussion with my teenage children.
Thanks for an informative read, I look forward to stopping by again!