Vanessa Van Petten is the teen author of the parenting
book “You’re Grounded!” She writes a parenting blog from the kid’s perspective to help parents understand what is actually going on in the mind of kid’s today to make life a little bit easier. As a 22 year-old youth and parenting expert, her articles and advice have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CBS 4, the World Journal, numerous radio shows and more. You can visit her here: http://www.OnTeensToday.com

Springtime is the popular season for high school proms. Every student has grand fantasies about prom night and some students start making plans before the snow has melted.

I talk with Vanessa about all the planning that is involved, from shopping for a dress or tuxedo to booking a limo and ordering flowers. She also shares the staggering calulations of how much a prom might cost you and creative ways to lessen those costs.

Part of the prom fantasy is what will happen after the prom. From after-prom parties to drinking, drugs and sex, if your teen wants to particpate in any of these vices, they WILL. Vanessa and I strongly encourage you to speak candidly with your teen about the dangers each of these things present and to help them make safe after-prom plans.

As independent as our teens want to appear, making plans for the prom can be overwhelming and emotional. Asking your teen if they need help negotiating prices or providing them with phone numbers and confirmation numbers can severly lessen their anxiety so they can have fun at the prom.

 

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