Does your Teen Need Prom Etiquette? You bet!

Prom night is a very special night for young teenagers. They put on black suits and pretty dresses, style their hair, rent fancy limousines and dance the night away. This night is one of the most anticipated nights of their adolescent life. And this exclusive night calls for special attention to etiquettes and manners. All teenagers have great expectations from their prom and good etiquette practices ensure that they have the perfect night. Parents should keep all communication channels open, inculcate the right etiquettes for teenagers and guide them at every step to make the night special.

Invitation only 

Traditionally boys ask the girls to be their prom dates. Since social norms are changing, if your daughter wants to ask a boy to the prom, then by all means you should encourage it. After all, the prom is a special night and your daughter should spend it with her special ‘one’. If your teenager doesn’t have a date, then you should let your child go to the prom with a group of close friends. That way your child won’t feel left out and will be able to participate in this very important night.

Setting a curfew

Prom night deserves a special curfew, a fair one, later than usual but one that falls within the boundaries of the family rules. It is recommended that you talk to your teenagers well before prom night about their expectations and together reach a decision on what the new curfew should be.

Setting a budget

Teenagers can get carried away when getting ready for the prom. Buying tuxedos, dresses, tickets, renting limousines and choosing a restaurant, all can be extremely expensive. That is why you as the responsible parent have to sit with them, discuss their options and set a budget incorporating their input. This is a perfect opportunity for you to teach your teenager how to set a budget and how to live within that budget.

Flowers go a long way 

On prom night, boys present the girls with corsages while the girls gift boutonnieres to the boys. As a parent, you should advise your child to find out their date’s outfit color well before the prom so that they can get matching gifts. The teenagers should schedule some time out of the prom day to go pick up their fresh corsages and boutonnieres and then store them in the refrigerator until it is time for the prom. So while your teens are getting ready for prom don't forget to tell them about the importance of the right flowers. 

Traveling to prom

When going to pick up their date, your teenagers should be very polite and friendly. They should not wait in the car and honk expecting the date to show up. They should walk up to the door, knock, exchange formalities with the date’s parents and then take their teenager to prom promising to bring the date back in time. In such a situation prom etiquette for teenagers is a must, and who better to teach them than parents? 

Dinner for two

Many proms don’t have dinners so the teenage couples choose a restaurant and dine out either before the prom or after. Selecting the right restaurant can play an important role in making the night perfect. Your child should make that decision wisely by considering the budget, the cuisine served and how far the restaurant is from the prom. When dining, your children should display the best table manners. Boys should remember to sit their girl dates before they seat themselves. They should be no talking when the mouth is full. And it is appropriate to turn cell phones off so that all the attention is devoted to the date.

Say no to drugs and alcohol

Proms can be a stressful time for parents. Prom night stories are packed with incidents of drug abuse, unsafe sex and drunken driving accidents. Parents should have been talking to their children and telling them what is acceptable behavior way before the prom night. They should stress on the dangers of buckling under peer pressure and tell the children that the consequences of doing drugs and alcohol are never good. Most importantly, the parents should let their children know that in case of any trouble, the parents will be there to listen and help. 

You May Also Like