How to Survive Prom

Avoid the last-minute rush by helping your teen establish a timetable for pre-prom preparations. To get the best deal -- and selection -- on prom dresses and tuxedo rentals, it's advisable to start shopping around up to four months in advance. Limo rentals may need to be booked three months in advance; prom tickets should be purchased six weeks prior to the big night; and hair and nail appointments should be made a month ahead of time.

Set a budget and determine who's going to pay for what. The average cost of attending a prom in 2013 was $1,139, according to a survey by Visa cited in an article in the "Los Angeles Times." Of this cost, teens covered 41 percent of the bills. Talk to your teen ahead of time about how much he can afford to spend on his prom, and just what expenses may be involved: clothing, tickets, flowers, transportation, dinner and after-party. Be frank about just how much you're able, or willing, to contribute. If his "wish list" of expenses outstrips the funds available, suggest some ways he can cut costs, like opting for a corsage of lilies or carnations instead of orchids, or hosting a fancy candlelit dinner at home rather than splurging on a restaurant.

Talk to your teen about transportation. Will he be driving, or will he ride with a friend? If the latter, make sure you know which friend, and don't be afraid to ask how long the friend has had his license and if he's been in any accidents. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that danger is heightened on prom night with all its excitement and distractions. Limousine rental, while expensive, may be one cost you'll wish to subsidize to keep your teen safe.

Create some ground rules about behavior. Many teens, even if they don't normally drink, may feel peer pressure to use alcohol on prom night. Remind your child of the dangers of prom night drinking. Not only is alcohol a leading cause of traffic fatalities, but it can have other severe consequences for your teen. He may embarrass himself by vomiting or passing out, or even lose his driver's license if he's charged with consuming alcohol while under the legal drinking age. Another potentially awkward discussion to have revolves around prom-night sex -- again, making the wrong decision here could have long-term repercussions such as unwanted pregnancy, venereal disease or even rape charges.

Discuss after-prom plans. Make sure you know where your teen will be, whom he'll be with and when he plans to be home. If he's attending a school-sponsored event, find out who the chaperones are and get their contact information. If he'll be at an after-party at a friend's house, talk to the friend's parents ahead of time to make sure they'll be home, and that no alcohol will be served. Offer to host an after-party yourself, but do not give in to the temptation to serve even a small amount of alcohol in this safe haven. Be aware that you may face stiff legal penalties if you serve alcohol to teenagers who are not part of your family.