Verified by 
It’s that time of year when millions of teens prepare for the much awaited prom night. That’s right, it is prom time and high school students across the nation are eagerly making plans for undoubtedly the most important dance of their high school years. For juniors, it is a time to show they are officially preparing to move into senior status. For those graduating, it marks the last dance of their high school career.
Whether it is the search for the perfect dress, or finding the best ride, the prom season can be met with stress, tears, laughs, and most importantly, memories that can last a lifetime. So, if your teen is getting ready for the big night - how can you help to make this the best dance ever? Below are six things you need to know about this extravagant evening:
1. “Promposals” - Get Creative, Not Expensive.
What’s a promposal, you may ask? Well it is the new phenomenon of teens asking that special someone to the prom. Some have even said many outlandish promposals put marriage proposals to shame. Teens are all about creativity, and with promposals they’ve taken their ingenuity to a whole new extreme that’s reaching deep into their parents pockets. According to a national survey by Visa, teens are not cutting any corners with promposal expenses. These lavish proposals are running an average of $324.00. But parents - you can let your teens know they don’t have to shell out a lot of money to ask someone to the dance. There are hundreds of inexpensive ideas on the Internet to help your teen make the perfect promposal. From social media requests to decorated cookie messages, teens can cleverly ask that special someone to the dance without going in the red.
2. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Whether it’s finding the perfect dress, getting that date, or getting the best ride in town, there are many little things that add up to one word - stress. So many details have to get checked off of the list and one slip up can cause a catastrophic event to many teens. They put so much pressure on themselves to have a perfect prom that nerves are on edge. Parents can help their teens feel less overwhelmed by teaching them how to make a “to do” list complete with deadlines and budget guidelines. Taking care of the small stuff will make for a more enjoyable prom experience, not only for teens, but for the entire household.
3. Don’t Break the Bank.
According to the Visa survey the average US family plans to spend about $919 on a prom-going teen, with parents covering as much as 73% of the costs. And get this: on average dads outspend moms, $1,160 to $710! While the cost of prom has dropped 6% in 2015, it’s still a very expensive high school affair. Parents - prom is an ideal time to put teens on a budget and teach them to manage money wisely. The senior year is already laden with expenses from college applications, to graduation announcements, and let’s not forget the security deposit for the university. Teens could benefit from a lesson on enjoying the prom without going into debt.
4. Drive Safely
While prom night is a special night, it can also be a very dangerous one. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the months of April - June (prom through graduation) are some of the most dangerous times of the year for teens. Prom night can be a particularly dangerous time with so many teens on the roads late at night. A survey conducted by Liberty Mutual found that only 20% of juniors and seniors believed being on the roads on prom night was dangerous. If only they knew that approximately 1,000 youth under age 21 die each year in preventable tragedies while celebrating their high school proms and graduations (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). If your teen is driving or riding with a friend, make sure to tell him or her to exercise extra caution as so many youth are on the road prom night and some may be driving impaired.
5. Don’t Use Drugs and Alcohol
Many teens are looking for an opportunity to party and prom night can provide the perfect storm for disaster. AAA surveyed teens aged 16-19 and found that 31% of teens reported it was likely that they or their friends would use drugs or alcohol during prom graduation season. Approximately 53% of teens who admitted to drinking during or after the prom said they consumed four or more alcoholic beverages. Clearly when teens drink they don’t make wise decisions. According to AAA, 87% of teens reported their friends would be more likely to drive after drinking than to call home for a ride (especially if they thought they’d get in trouble). Also approximately 19% of teens said they have got into a vehicle with someone who had been drinking rather than calling their parents to come and get them.
6. Have Fun!
Parents - remind your teens to have a good time and to go ahead and plan for the inevitable… you know, blisters from shoes, hair and makeup issues, a flat tire, a beverage spill on the formal attire, and/or a restaurant that screws up the reservation so they’re stuck in a drive thru ordering chicken nuggets. If teens learn to roll with what the night brings, it will make for a more memorable, fun and exciting experience.
Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factshee…
http://dui.drivinglaws.org/resources/dui-and-dwi/dui-basics/the-soberin…
http://www.madd.org/statistics/
http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/resources/pdfs/Prom_Survey_2015.pdf
