School prom a complete nightmare

[whenwomenruletheworld]

There never used to be high school style proms when I was at school but They've really taken off it seems in recent years. My DS is finishing U6th this year at his boys school. I didn't even know there was a prom there until some of the other parents we know were talking about it at a party. Apparently even though it is 6 months away all the local teens are obsessed with it. I know my DS and he is way too shy to want to go as are his friends so the whole expense and drama won't be an issue but I hate the fact that the parents are getting competitive about their offspring going to this and have they got a date and so on..And the Dads are worse than the Mums!!

[Creiddylad]

My DS had his prom after his GCSE's. I got him a suit and off he went. No dates or anything like that. Just a party with no booze. He was home by 11.30.

[Whatsername24]

My son went to his Prom after GCSEs and it was just a matter of their large group of mixed sex friends going together.

For some reason though, his school arranged another Prom at the end of sixth form. I always thought the School Prom was a once in a lifetime event.

[BackforGood]

Most schools seem to have them after GCSEs - I'm surprised you've not come across them before.
IME, it's a party for all the dc to go to together - usually a meal then a disco. They don't need 'dates' they just go with their mates. Indeed, at both my dcs' school, you aren't allowed to take anyone who doesn't attend the school, so the only 'couples' are if a person happens to be going out with someone from the same school, and same school year, who would be entitled to go under their own steam.
Doesn't need to be 'expense and drama'

[Sparklingbrook]

DS had his after GCSEs. it involved trying to find a suit that fitted (v long leg) but once that was done all fine. Just dropped him off (some faffed about with posh cars/weird modes of transport) then picked him up after the fireworks.

He's now in Yr 12 and they are having a black tie Winter Ball at the end of this month.

[Whatsername24]

We bought our son a suit from Next for his first prom so it wasn't especially expensive, and we would've had to buy him one anyway once he went into Sixth Form and needed one for 'Formal Fridays'.

[Travelledtheworld]

My daughter spent most of year 11 planning and shopping for hers.
My son and his nerdy friends don't intend to go to theirs this June.
I suggested they get together and go out for a pizza, which they probably won't.
Don't worry about it.
Ignore the other parents......

[Hedgehoginthegarden]

I wouldn't take any notice of the other parents OP. If your ds does not want to go then that's OK. If he does decide to go then its no big deal. I got my ds kitted out at the last minute with a suit from m & s and he looked lovely. Some of the girls go a bit OTT with prom dresses etc but mine was pretty relaxed about it all. Dd got a beautiful dress from a local outlet bridal/prom place a couple of months before, she did her own hair and make up and looked fabulous. It can all get a bit crazy though so just let them get on with it.

[titchy]

Why does being shy mean you assume he won't want to go?

It's not really that big a deal - cheap suit, which he'll need at some point anyway, and give him and his mates a lift. Job done. No need for a date, booze or limo.

[raisin3cookies]

I overheard a school mum talking about the bother and expense she went through in buying her daughter's dress for the year six leaver's party. I'm not surprised the parties for older children are getting more lavish! (There were limos outside the school that night)