Prom Spot - Parents & Prom: 7 Rules for Chaperoning Prom

No one wants to be the mortifying parent, especially not in front of your teen's entire graduating class. When chaperoning, leave the embarrassing behavior at home with these tips.

Dress to Impress
As far as your chaperoning outfit goes, it's a good idea to consult with your teen who'll have plenty of ideas about what's cool and what's not. Don't overdo it by trying to be too trendy or sexy; the trick is to look sharp but blend with the surroundings. For moms, a simple black dress; for dads, a suit with or without a tie.

Pimp Your Ride
Pulling up to prom in your beat-up wheels can start your teen's night on the wrong foot. Think about how embarrassed you would've been if your mom or dad had showed up to chaperone your prom in a clunker! You don't have to buy a new car; instead, park your car in the back so that you don't make a big entrance.

Nix the Nicknames
Baby boy, jelly bean, sweets...they might be okay to use nicknames at home, but when it comes to prom, it's a major no-no. Stay on the safe side and keep it on a first-name basis.

Cut the Chitchat
You're there to chaperone all of the students, not just your teen. Avoid talking to your teen during the evening. Don't remind them of the errands they forgot to run or ask them to fix their hair -- just let them do their thing. The less contact you have with your teen, the better.

Leave Your Dancing Shoes at Home
When you're 17, there's nothing more humiliating than watching your parents shake their booties. Even if other chaperones encourage you to dance, don't. This includes rocking out on the periphery of the room.

Skip the Photo-ops
While hardly any parents can resist a few Kodak moments on prom night, you don't want to go too far. Teens are often painfully shy about getting their photos taken, so get this done at home.

Act Your Age
One of the worst mistakes you can make is trying to be cool by using "teen speak," giving high-fives, and generally acting like an overgrown kid. While it may seem like a good idea to let your hair down on prom night, if you can resist the urge, you'll have an eternally grateful teen.

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--Elina Furman