Anyone else's teenager choosing not to go to prom?

[SimonReevesbagcarrier]

Did anyone else’s DC decide not to go to Prom?
DD doesn’t really have friends at school and has said she doesn’t want to go as she’ll have no one to go with and probably won’t get invited to an after party. I’m feeling sad but at least she’s owning the decision (and we’ll spend the ££ on an evening out for her and out of school friends)

My dt didn't go last year dt1 is very shy and not their scene. Dt2 is very outgoing life and soul of the party but decided in the January not to go. Doesn't regret it.

No experience with this as my kids are much younger…..but good for her! I understand for some its a big deal but in my opinion its a bit daft. Good for her to be true to herself and I’m sure she’ll find her crew.

Go to the prom 🫣

Mine is going but really not that fussed. It’s massively over hyped and people spending hundreds of pounds on it is madness

I think it’s quite common really, not to go I mean.

My daughter isn't going either,a lot from her school aren't this year. Her friendship group isn't what it was and she just decided it wasn't for her.

Go to prom and go to the prom are both correct, actually.

Mine didn’t go last year - she’d had issues with school avoidance and didn’t like a lot of the girls in her year. Plus it’s an all girls school and they weren’t allowed to bring dates or guests which seemed really odd. By all accounts it ended up as a really expensive all girls disco. DD doesn’t regret not going at all.

Many years ago my DS didn't want to go because he doesn't like crowded areas or loud music. He went out with his school friends for a meal a few days later. He's still got the same friends from school and college many years later.

Neither of mine wanted to go, so didn’t. Girl and younger boy. Same school. I was a bit worried in case they were ‘missing out’ on something important. But that was more about me than them! They’ve never said they’ve regretted it. It wasn’t a thing in my day. Not sure why it had to become a thing in their day, to be honest,

My son didn’t go last year. His friendship group dumped him a few months before and he’d only been in the school 3 years so we went out for a nice meal instead

My son isn't sure he wants to go. I think school events tend to be really crap if you have allergies so I expect that's part of it. School discos seemed to involve the PTA constantly dishing out chocolate for instance which is not just rubbish but downright dangerous if you are milk allergic

DD I think will love it though,she will enjoy all the planning her outfit and hair and hanging with friends and dancing (she loves climbing trees and playing football too, but she really enjoys fashion)

I've said to ds that if he doesnt go I will put some money towards a celebration of his choice

And that would be a very expensive girls disco which agree a bit odd at Yr11

Yes my dd has chosen not to go. Her best friend wasn’t invited and she doesn’t want to go without her.

My DS had a lovely time at his Y11 prom, which was a farewell to his state school friends. But he is adamant that he isn’t interested in the sixth form college prom this year, as his friendship group won’t be going.

My DS didn’t go to his y11 prom - no big issues at school just didn’t want to go.

He doesn’t regret it - the attached sixth form are doing a festival style prom this year - more relaxed clothing etc.

I wonder if the hype of prom has had its time.

Neither of my DSs went. I'm not entirely sure if DS1s happened due to covid, but he wasn't interested when it was being planned.
DS2 would have poked his eyes out before going to prom.

DD didn’t go to Y11 prom because she hates dressing up, all the fuss about planning outfits, hair, who’s going with who etc. it’s all too showy for her.

i felt a bit sad about it, but respected her choice and have since told her that I admire her for not going just because it’s what’s expected. She has absolutely no regrets.

shes Y13 now and in 2 minds about going. She still feels the same about the performance aspect of prom, but has a closer set of friends now and half feels as though she might regret not being part of the groups last big school event before they all move off in different directions. I’ve bought her ticket ‘just in case’ but I’m starting to worry that she needs to make a decision soon so that she can find an outfit she’s comfortable with if necessary.

Both my kids went but said it was really boring with all the posh and " popular" kids trying to out- do each other in terms of outfits and transport to the venue.
Both said it was not worth all the hype, so it's not the end of the world to not go.

Mine didn’t go. She went to her regular dance class like normal.

Good for her!
my ds is younger but I’m fairly sure it won’t be his thing

i’d just factor in paying for some kind of other celebration and make sure she is distracted/doing something else fun on the night in question

@CurlyKoalie I think a lot say they are actually a bit boring. Lots of hype. 2-3 formal event. No alcohol obv. The fun bit is the after parties I think

My DS was going to go but wasn't overly fussed. In the end it was cancelled due to COVID and by the time was rearranged he'd been out of school a good while and moved on so got a refund

Hmm I didn't think they had a school disco on secondary school.

Our proms have been golf clubs and hyland house The staff there are used to dealing with allergies