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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad DD doesn't want to go to her prom

206 replies

Noprommum · 25/03/2022 00:10

DD, year 11, has said she is absolutely not going to her prom.

She's been saying for a long time she's not keen but I thought she'd come round. Most of her friends are going and have been trying to persuade her but she says dressing up in a pretty dress is just not for her and finds the whole idea of prom cringe and embarrassing and she doesn't want to go. To be fair, she's not a girly girl, lives in joggers and dresses mainly in black so I get that part of it.

She is a very strong character and genuinely doesn't seem to care what others think. However, I do feel lockdown affected her socially, her friendship group has shrunk, she rarely goes out anymore claiming to have social anxiety (which I do think she has). Her best friend since year 7 dropped her recently, although she says she doesn't care as they'd grown apart.

AIBU to feel sad and worried at her missing out? There's no way I'm going to try and change her mind as she's adamant but I can't help feeling sad. I think I'll stay away from social media that day as I know it'll be full of her peers parents posting prom pics and I know I'll feel sad I can't post any myself which I obviously know is bloody selfish as it's not about me!!! However, it's seen as such a big, special event - school have been banging on about it for months!

Anyone else's child not going/didn't go to prom? Is it really such a big deal?

OP posts:
nitsandwormsdodger · 25/03/2022 14:54

Been a teacher for 20 years EVERY year kids always say they are not going , it’s not cool will be boring usually everyone goes

puffyisgood · 25/03/2022 15:30

It doesn't really matter.

I think we had 3 or 4 'sixth form balls' when I was at school aged 16-18, I think I attended 1 or 2 out of the above, had an OK time at it/both, didn't really feel that I'd missed much at the ones I didn't go to.

De88 · 25/03/2022 15:33

No, it's not a big deal. It's just a competitive event for posers.

springisaroundthecorner · 25/03/2022 16:31

My dc school prom for year 11 is in June. He doesn't want to go. So much money he'd rather spend on a short holiday and doesn't want all the drama

ohwhattodowithmylife · 25/03/2022 16:56

I would be relieved. None of the fuss that goes with it!

theleafandnotthetree · 25/03/2022 17:13

@De88

No, it's not a big deal. It's just a competitive event for posers.
And there's the judgement...
ComeSailAway · 25/03/2022 17:25

Proms are tacky and just one more example of American culture infiltrating the UK.
My older sister was "Prom Queen" for her year and has never lived it down. I didn't bother going to mine.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 25/03/2022 17:48

@ComeSailAway

Proms are tacky and just one more example of American culture infiltrating the UK. My older sister was "Prom Queen" for her year and has never lived it down. I didn't bother going to mine.
What's wrong with American culture? You know most modern cultures are a mishmash from different places?
Gowithme · 25/03/2022 17:59

I think they're awful, so much pressure to look perfect. My ds wouldn't dream of going to his later this year and I'm not disappointed or worried he's missing out, I'm thankful he's not into all that superficial nonsense. I spent way too much of my youth wearing short dresses and make up trying to impress idiot boys.

19lottie82 · 25/03/2022 18:02

I didn’t go to mine. It was my idea of hell. Almost all of my friends didn’t go to my school and I was pretty alternative (back in the day!). The thought have having to get dolled up and spend the nights with a load of people I didn’t even really like? Nope! And I have no regrets years later.

phoenixrosehere · 25/03/2022 18:47

Proms are tacky and just one more example of American culture infiltrating the UK.

And the U.K. infiltrated how many cultures?

the80sweregreat · 25/03/2022 18:53

Ds2 didn't go to his one ( a while ago now ) and many of his friends at the time all boycotted it because of cost and the fact that the ' after party' was the only thing they were truly interested in really. He wasn't one of the cool kids and just wasn't that bothered about it
I know it's different for girls. Are her friends going ?

1Micem0use · 25/03/2022 19:05

I think you should be proud of her for her individuality. She knows it's not her thing and isnt interested in going along with the crowd. Honestly I find it a bit strange how obsessive some parents and kids get over prom.

SquirrelG · 25/03/2022 19:42

Proms are tacky and just one more example of American culture infiltrating the UK.

Oh, here we go. While I probably would never have gone to a Prom (we don't actually call them that here - I'm not in the UK) and agree that it's nothing to be sad about if someone doesn't want to go, there is nothing wrong with actually wanting to go and enjoying the experience. Each year I go along to watch the kids arriving for theirs here, and I enjoy seeing them and they all look happy - I can see no signs of anything "tacky". Why must people be so judgemental about anything they don't agree with?

Mojoj · 25/03/2022 19:53

Proms are a load of imported American nonsense. I'd be delighted if my kid realised what a load of crap it all was.

ukborn · 26/03/2022 09:35

I grew up in the US and I didn't go - there (at the time, it may be different now) it was definitely a couples thing. I didn't have a boyfriend snd I wasn't asked. Only slight tinge at the time as it was such a big deal, but even so not everyone went and I didn't lose any sleep over it.
My daughter had hers last year here and it was lovely - she went with her five besties and they looked so gorgeous. Only one couple in the whole year so it didn't matter a bit and they had a great time. My son's prom was a bit more couples (and he was very much one of them) and it was fabulous too, almost all the kids went and there was an all night after party.
Your daughter doesn't want to go - it's her choice. Sure you can be a bit disappointed, especially if your friends are involved in getting their daughters dress etc. but really she's not missing out - it's one night.

MALJA · 26/03/2022 12:38

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable for worrying at all. I think your worry is definitely more than her not going to prom based on the other things you’ve listed but you’re supporting her and accepting her decisions and that’s the main thing. It’s hard being a teenager, hormones, discovering the world & that the people you’ve always been friends with are actually quite different to you which has all been made harder the last few years - you sound like you’re really in tune with your daughter and care about her wants & needs rather than ‘what’s expected’ so I think she’ll be just fine!

Refrosty · 26/03/2022 12:44

My mum forced me to go, and tbh I had a great time. But tbh I'd not have felt anything year later if I'd have not gone.

phoenixrosehere · 26/03/2022 13:32

Proms are a load of imported American nonsense. I'd be delighted if my kid realised what a load of crap it all was.

There’s little difference between a prom and a school formal. Good grief.

theblackradiator · 02/05/2024 06:07

I found this thread as my dd has also decided she's not going to her prom this year and I too feel so upset about it. She was all for it and planning then decided about a month ago that she's not going. I think it's mostly friendship issues. Did your daughter end up going @Noprommum if not what did she do on the day. I know dd will just end up sitting around at home mostly in her room.

VestibuleVirgin · 02/05/2024 06:16

Your daughter sounds as if she is a strong and idependent person. Support her all the way
What a gem! She's nt going to be on SM worrying about how to get stuffed-crust pizza lips or how many likes she has
You have the problem here, altho i can understand your concerns

bloodyplumbing · 02/05/2024 06:24

theblackradiator · 02/05/2024 06:07

I found this thread as my dd has also decided she's not going to her prom this year and I too feel so upset about it. She was all for it and planning then decided about a month ago that she's not going. I think it's mostly friendship issues. Did your daughter end up going @Noprommum if not what did she do on the day. I know dd will just end up sitting around at home mostly in her room.

Take her out that night, anything to distract.

Cinema
Shopping
Restaurant

Keep her away from the dreaded SM.

MsTSwift · 02/05/2024 07:59

No need to be insulting to the teens that do go!

It’s likely a friendship issue. Dd1 went with her “gang” they got ready here and we had all the parents over to see them off. It was sweet. No one had pizza lips 🙄

Noprommum · 02/05/2024 07:59

Wow, 2 years ago!

No, she didn't go. She spent the evening with a close friend who wanted to go but wasn't allowed (religious reasons). They watched films and ate pizza. Some friends texted them throughout sending pics and I saw the inevitable photos on SM from some mums but DD has no regrets and says it looked "cringe".

Turns out she had major social anxiety, possibly caused by lockdown & some horrible ex-friends and for which she's now had counselling. Possible ASD too as some traits were highlighted during the counselling but still awaiting assessment on that. It came to a head in 6th form where we discovered she was suffering subtle bullying from these "friends". Her attendance nosedived and she was set to fail her A Levels. So she left and made a fresh start at college and is happier, having made some new friends and on track for good grades. She still lacks some confidence but has hopefully started to find her tribe and is getting there.....

OP posts:
sashh · 02/05/2024 08:08

Lovely update. Thanks.