How to Survive High School Prom - a Guide for Teenagers and Parents

Any parent of a high school teenager knows that springtime is also known as prom season. This is the time when teenage girls start to imagine the perfect prom date, shopping for the perfect prom dress and deciding on how their makeup will be.

On the other hand, if you have a teenage boy, the prom season is not high on their radar. It usually doesn't register with them until an invitation shows up with a rose or in a pizza box. To help those parents whose own prom season seems like a long time ago, we have collected a few tips to help them survive:

How Parents and Teenagers Get Ready for the Prom
Prom can be a very expensive occasion and parents should encourage their daughters not to put them into the poorhouse. There are a few ways to keep the costs down:

1. Have her invite all her girlfriends going to the prom to your house to do a prom dress exchange. Borrowing from others make it seem like they are wearing something brand-new and a dress swap with the other girls could be a fun time.

2. Ask your daughter if she might consider buying at a consignment shop and get a great deal on a classic or vintage looking prom dress. She can customize it with a little 'bling' or some classic jewelry. The money saved on a vintage dress could be used towards altering for a great fit.

3. Many designer dresses can be found on Craigslist and eBay for a fraction of the original cost. Also, check the online Web sites of some of the bigger department stores. Many of them offer fantastic deals on dresses when purchased online.

4. Some things to remind your son when getting ready for his prom. Make sure that he orders his corsage early. Check the prices at the floral department of your local grocery store. Many times their prices are a more cost effective way to go. If he is not sure the color of his prom date's dress, have him order it in white, it goes with most colors.

5. Speaking of ordering early, many guys rent their tuxedo for prom. Like the corsage, place your rental order early.

When Your Teenager Arrives at the Prom
The festivities before the prom can be a lot of fun and expensive. However, there are a few things you can do to limit that expense.

1. Instead of having the whole prom group head to the local restaurant, consider throwing a pre-prom dinner at your home. You and your prom teen will save money and it gives the parents of the other prom guests to meet each other. The parents can mingle, take pictures, and even help in serving the dinner.

2. Prom night usually means limos will be rented. Make sure that the limo is rented from a reputable, licensed operator. Verify the costs, deposits, times and pickup/delivery times with the driver. Minors are not allowed to drink in the car, so make sure you discuss this with your prom teen and the limo driver.

Making Sure They Arrive Home Safely From the Prom
Many times after a prom there is an 'after prom party.' If that is the case, you may want to offer your prom teen an alternative.

1. Consider the curfew of your prom teen and the group they are with. Curfews need to be discussed beforehand.

2. You may want to host an after prom party at your home that can be supervised by you.

3. Plan and after the prom dinner at your home and have the kids all meet to eat and talk about the night.

4. Maybe have the prom teens bring a change of clothes and find the all night bowling alley or go-cart racing track.

If all goes right, both you and your teenager will have some great prom memories. Memories that they can share with their teenager when their prom time comes.