... School proms - aaargh!

[woollyideas]

Okay, I admit I'm a bit of an old puritan about these things, but AIBU in thinking my DD's school should not be promoting limo hire etc., at its 'Prom Fair'?

Actually, the very idea of them having a Prom Fair has left me frothy! Whatever happened to the good old, low-key 'leaver's disco'? Why are parents expected to spend fortunes on a load of old consumer shit professional make-up artists, tiaras and limos? What sane parent would want to pay an entry fee to go to a 'Prom Fair' to browse the wares of the limo hire companies, tiara makers, photographers, etc.?

Who are these parents who think this sort of expenditure on a night out for a teenager is okay? At DD's school last year one of the parents asked whether they could land a helicopter in the school field? WTAF? (Normal state high school on south coast BTW).

[lilyborderterrier]

Hideous I'm glad my daughter is only 4. I'm hoping the prom trend will have disappeared by the time she leaves school.

[Hillarious]

Zombie thread, but as relevant today as it was in 2012. As someone said back in 2012, the whole thing is as competitive as you and your DC want to make it and definitely reflects the kind of people you are.

[CheeseQueen]

Gah. Zombie!

[CheeseQueen]

Actually, the very idea of them having a Prom Fair has left me frothy! Whatever happened to the good old, low-key 'leaver's disco'?

Are you me?
Don't get me started. It's a load of b*cks. Bring back Leavers Discos like I had. Everyone had great fun dancing, and there was the trestle table of Panda Pops and Disco Crisps.
Those were the days!

[IAmNotAUserNumber]

I know this is a zombie thread but it is worthy of resurrection because apparently it forms part of the "seen text" ( is that the term) for today's English Lang AS level. WoollyIdeas and the other posts should be proud.

[notquiteruralbliss]

So far none of mine have been to their school proms. Zero interest in doing so.

[Katielou75]

Hmm- missed the zombie thread thing!

[Katielou75]

I can't get over the fact that 'Prom Fayres' are a thing! I've seen a few posts on Facebook over the last few weeks with people selling their prom dresses on for over £400- the mind boggles at how much they were originally (we're far from being in a 'wealthy' area too). There are some lovely dresses in TKMaxx which look just as good.

[glitterazi]

I don't care if it's a zombie thread, I'm going to post on it anyway. (Never understood what's the big deal about zombie freds anyway, who cares?!)
Completely agree with the OP, proms are absolutely ridiculous, and I'm sick of the way things always have to be so expensive, a total competition, and OTT nowadays.
So glad there was no such thing when I was at high school in the 90s. It was leaver's discos, and everyone had great fun.
No angst over hundreds of pounds dresses etc, just fun with friends.
As for this:
They have to wear prom dresses. They are expected to take boyfriends. WTF???
[ Way to make the shy or bullied feel totally crap and give them something else to be picked on about.
If we had to have found a boy to take us, I'd seriously rather have stayed at home and poked at my eyes with rusty spoons.
It just wouldn't have happened.

[Trifleorbust]

Also how 2012

[Trifleorbust]

Also how 2012

[Trifleorbust]

How tacky.

[The80sweregreat]

My ds1 went, we bought him a cheap suit and his ticketl he enjoyed the after prom party more!
Ds2 didnt go, his mates all boycotted it. Saved me money.
So glad i dont have girls, shudders at all that malarky.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

ZOMBIE THREAD

[harderandharder2breathe]

jelly you resurrected a zombie thread just to say "I agree"?!?

[MaureenMLove]

For those worried about cost of THE dress already, have a look here

Get the lo's to get one of those money tins, you can't open and start a fund, with lose change. There's 6 months worth of saving to get going on!

[sodapops]

They had a Prom fair when it was coming up for DS1's prom. I never went despite the school sending us reminder texts on the afternoon of it.

It did end up costing us aout £200 to send DS1 and he didn't go in a limo. We bought him a nice suit that he can wear again. He had high expectations of the prom and was really disappointed TBH.

[GetDownNesbitt]

Our prom fair is used to raise money to subsidise the prom - we have a raffle and charge £1 entry. This way we can do the prom for £15 a ticket, with three course meal and disco. Kids do most of the organising themselves.

We don't let kids make their own way to the prom - all have to get on the bus, so there is no competition about cars etc.

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

I've been through it 4...count'em.... times already..one more to go.
My daughters switched schools for 6th form so had the yr 11 prom as did their brother, then DD1 had 6th form prom, and that's to come again for DD2!

The yr 11 prom was a BIG do.. held at a stately home turned conference place.. stunning surroundings.. and full long gowns are order of the day. I am NOT into it at all, but accepted it was the thing, and the girls both saved for their OMG how much dresses. DS hired his suit

I have to admit I have never been so proud as when they arrived (parents allowed for first half hour to see them, and take pics) as they were so so beautiful. No limos.. mine went for vintage (think Bugsy Malone) cars! Shared the cost with friends and had a fabulous night.

6th form prom tends to be short cocktail style frocks and TKMAXX!

Incidentally..finding a dressmaker can save mega bucks. One of my girls is DOlly Parton shaped and the prom shop wanted a lot to alter it... we took it to little local dressmaker instead:)

[southeastastra]

my ds hired a lovely italian suit, he didn't have a date, loads of the boys went in the limo

the pics are really sweet they matched the tie colours to the girls dresses i so wished he could have had a corsage to give to someone

i watch far too much american tv

[LineRunner]

How weird, my DD has just said, looking over my shoulder - 'I was just on the phone to bf who is dreading our prom. So am I.'

They have to wear prom dresses. They are expected to take boyfriends. WTF???

[Pixel]

Thanks Remus. Dd is only tiny and I think it might be quite difficult to find a long dress for her so I was a bit worried (she is 16 next month but her school blouses are size 11/12!).

[MaureenMLove]

It's only competitive if you or your lo's make it competitive.

DD has already started talking about her yr11 prom this year and telling me what people are planning. DD will, of course, have a lovely dress and shoes etc, but there will be no talk of fake tans or hair extentions or god awful fake nails.

She will look gorgeous and I will help her and guide her to look gorgeous, without the need for OTT.

(Me OTOH - I'm already panicking about what to wear for my own school's yr11 prom!)

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

DD2 says she is going to go to hers in a tux and DMs! :)