Is Prom a waste of money?

[Oodilally]

My ds 11 has his leavers prom next week. I've bought him a suit (which will only be worn once, that's unreasonable) and still need to get shoes. I'm wondering if it's a complete waste of money or if it's worth forking out for a single event? Is this just a money making scheme via the school or an important rite of passage to celebrate leaving primary school? What are your thoughts?

I thought proms were for the older teens leaving school, they do it for for 11 year olds too??

At 11 it sounds way OTT to me.

When my DD was 11 they had a leavers disco and all came out hot and sweaty having had a great time. Dressing up smart at that age seems such a waste.

I have come around to the idea of them for 16 and 18 year olds. But 11? No.

Or course it's a waste of money. But do you want your kid to be the only one not taking part, or not looking the part?

Yes, a total waste of money. At any age.

It's a bit late now, if you've bought the suit?

It does seem a bit daft, but I don't think it's a money making scheme - as no one who is planning it is making any money?

And if you can't afford it, you tour the 2nd hand shops,like I did.

It's for primary leavers too.

I don't think it's a waste of money. I think it can be a waste of money if you hire a limo and the girls get their hair, nails, make up done. I would have considered hiring a suit, it may have been cheaper? It's fine as long as no one takes it too seriously. Times have changed from when we were 11. Thankfully. We all looked up to Jimmy Saville!

I don't think so. Whilst I do think they are overrated my DD really enjoyed getting dressed up nicely, posing in pics with her class and having a disco.

Memories that will keep.

You don't have to spend a lot either, we got a cheap dress and stuck a ribbon on the car.

How much is it costing? And how much of that goes to the school?

For primary leaver yes I do think it is a complete waste.

What 11 year old boy want to dress up in a suit? Most would be happy to have a leavers disco and wear normal smart wear, drink some coke and eat crisps.

Ffs. Primary school prom is a thing now?

I personally think the whole think is a joke!!

I left senior school in 2002 and we never had a prom. I'm so glad we didn't as it's such a pressure on everyone. A pressure on everyone to look 'perfect', financial pressures to buy the right outfit, hire the best transport etc and no doubt sexual pressure as high school kids at that age are not used to getting all dressed up (well maybe they are so these days).

Isn't this just a leavers disco? If so then no need for a suit surely? Just a normal party outfit would be fine.

To be honest you could argue that adults getting new outfits for every new event is a waste of money too but it doesn’t stop people doing it

A 'rite of passage'these days covers so much, I agree with a pp that for leaving primary school, a prom is OTT.
However it is easy to get swept up in this. The year before my DC2 left primary, some bright spark had the idea of hiring a stretch limo to pick up a group of pupils at close of school. So the following year different friendship groups did the same, I shelled out for DD to join in.
There was a leavers' party at school the week before end of term but nothing elaborate, no suits afaik.

Everything , apparently is a waste of money. Perhaps you could send him in some sack cloth, that way the MN collective will be happy.

No one, absolutely no one buys a suit for the Y6 prom. Nice clothes, yes, suit, no. Not round theses 'ere parts.

I think it's a waste of money.
My youngest left primary school in 2011 and they just had a disco, in a beach party theme but some turned up in limos and prom wear.

What surprised me was secondary school prom, at the end of Year 11 it was billed as being a one off night...only for there to be another prom at the end of Year 13.

I was about to say YABU then I saw that your child is age 11, not Year 11. Yes, totally over the top at that age.

At primary age it's OTT. DD2 had something celebratory, but it was called 'glitz and glamour' and no suits for boys were required. The girls tended to wear party dresses, most of which they already had.

After GCSEs I don't think it's OTT, and it's really up to you how much you spend. DD2 had her prom last week and the total cost was £28 for the dress - she had everything else already and didn't need/want spray tanning/makeup, and she has a pixie crop so no costly hair issues.

It was just a party 5 years ago, boys wore jeans. Prom was for 16&18

Is it y11 or age 11? If former well worth it my son loved his especially the after party, many kids hired their suit, it was lovely to see these kids all dressed up looking so grown up and as many were off to different colleges it really was a rite of passage.
If age 11 then yes a year end bbq would have been more appropriate!

Yr 11 - worthwhile.
Age 11 - utterly pointless.

Depends on how you look at it.
My dd cost £500 + and although a struggle, I was happy to pay it.
It a right of passage, from being a teenager at high school into a young adult going of to college.
Having said that : her dress bag and shoes are now on selling sites as she will only wear them this once!

Unnecessary for leaving primary and just ups the costs for parents who are about to have to fork out ££ for new school uniform.

Buying a suit when child is still growing also a waste unless there are a load of weddings or whatever to attend that summer.

An all inclusive BBQ on school field, or disco in school hall, or camp out should be fine at primary level.

Leaving primary school seems to be a huge thing now. My school has a prom, a year book and a hoodie with all their names on it.
When I left school everyone wrote on each other’s shirts with felt tips. I don’t feel I missed out

I thought proms were a massive waste of money even when I was leaving high school (this in America in the '90s though, but I was 18). But I didn't go to mine and lived to tell.

For 11 year olds? Gah. What happened to a bog standard disco? DS 11 has his leavers disco next week and the biggest fashion decision he has is which t-shirt to wear...