One of the most significant events in a teenager’s life is the high school prom. Most teens look forward to the prom night, which is considered as a rite of passage and a great opportunity for them to socialize and build healthy relationships among their peers.
        
The prom also presents parents a great opportunity to share in their child’s excitement and anticipation. With teens hoping to have the smoothest and most memorable prom experience, many parents also worry about their children with regard to prom issues such as budget, sex, drug use and alcohol.

These tips can help you and your teen deal with prom anxiety and plan together for a safe, worry-free and fun prom.

Plan together ahead. Join in your teen’s prom preparations. Offer to go with him or her when choosing an outfit, getting flowers or arranging limos. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to bond with your teen but it also serves as a way to give suggestions and tips as well as discuss prom details like after-prom party plans, who will drive and so on.

Stress the importance of looking good by feeling good about themselves. It is not their clothing size or weight that determines how good they look but how good they feel by praising them for their accomplishments, smart decisions, maturity and good character. A lot of teen girls fuss about dress size and go into crazy diets just to look ‘perfect’ for the prom. Parents should remind their teens that having fun is more important that striving for a perfect prom.
    
Proms today can be very costly, and while your teen is most likely going to ask money from you, you may want to discuss with your teen options on how to save up ahead for the big night.

Help your teen set a reasonable budget for the prom and give useful tips on how to spend wisely. There are always plenty of ways where they can get the look for less.

No date, no problem. Getting a date remains to be a major prom issue among teens. Make it clear to your child that having a prom date is not the be-all and end-all of the event. In fact, many teens nowadays go to the prom in groups or even solo. If your child does not have a date, tell him or her to consider going out on in groups – it can be just as fun or even more than having a date.

On sex, drugs and alcohol. It is important to discuss early on and in detail with your teen about sex, substance use and alcohol. Remind them that it is perfectly okay to say no and talk to them about showing respect for themselves and for other people. Talk to your teen to respect and value differences in people in whatever aspect.
    
Be clear about your expectations for them and set reasonable rules, guidelines and curfew. Let your teen share what s/he has in mind about these issues. The conversation should be a two-way street and not a monologue. Tell your teen that while you want him or her to have a good time, you are also looking out for his or her safety as well. When you show your teen that you mean business and that you care for them, they are more likely to take care of themselves when you do.

Expectations about the prom can often bring about anxiety for both parents and teens. Parents should set a good example for their teens by being responsible and by treating people with respect. Moreover, there should also be free, open and honest communication between parents and their children, so that risks can be avoided.