Prom Spot - Parents & Prom: 20 Questions to Ask Your Kid Before Prom

Prom night can be exciting but also slightly nerve-racking for parents. Asking your teen questions can help give you peace of mind. How do you know you're asking the right ones? Make sure you cover everything on this list.

1. Where is prom being held?
-- Have the phone number and address written down on a piece of paper where you can find it quickly.

2. What are you wearing?
-- Make sure your daughter's dress is prom appropriate and not too revealing.
-- Don't let your son procrastinate when getting a tux. Offer to go with him to pick it out.

3. What's the prom dress code?
-- It's imperative your daughter or son be dressed properly for prom; otherwise, they may get sent home and miss the whole dance.

4. How much are you spending on prom?
-- From the dress to the tickets to the limo, make sure your teen is spending a suitable amount and stays on budget.

5. How much are we (the parents) expected to pay?
-- Teens often assume their parents will pay for everything. Set a limit up front so your teen has a budget.

6. What happens if you (the teen) go over budget?
-- Tell your teen you'll loan them the money but it must be paid back in full as soon as possible. Propose a payment plan and stress that it's just a loan.

7. What are your date's name, phone number, and address?
-- Make an effort to get to know your teen's date. The more comfortable you feel with their date, the less worried you'll be.

8. Who will be in your group?
-- Get to know your teen's friends. Their date may seem fine, but if there are troublemakers in the group, that could be a red flag. Get names of friends and their cell phone numbers.

9. Do you feel comfortable with your date and friends?
-- Talk to your teen about their group. It's important that they feel safe and there won't be pressure to drink or do drugs.

10. Are you renting a limo or is your date/friend driving?
-- A professional driver will keep your teen safe, so you may want to offer to book and pay for a limo. If a friend is driving, find out from their parents if they have a safe driving record.

11. Where are you going after prom?
-- Ask for an itinerary, the address, and a contact number for the post-prom location.

12. Who will you be hanging out with after prom?
-- Post-prom, your teen might hang out with a larger group than the one they were with during prom. Make sure your teen will always be surrounded by a safe crowd.

13. Will there be chaperones?
-- Ask you teen for the chaperones' contact information. You'll want to call the chaperones to confirm that an adult will always be present.

14. What are the parents/chaperones like?
-- Some parents may be more lax with their teens than you are. Call them to make sure you both are on the same page.

15. What time will you be home?
-- Set a curfew. This will establish limits and ensure your teen comes home at a safe, reasonable hour.

16. Do you know -- and will you abide by -- the laws related to alcohol/drug consumption and driving?
-- Breaking the law is serious. Talk to your teen about the law and dangers of drinking and drug use.

17. Do you know the school's punishment for drinking or using drugs?
-- Not only will your teen get punished by the law, but the school will often have consequences as well, such as prohibiting them from attending graduation.

18. Do you know how to say no to drugs, drinking, and sex?
-- Teens can often feel pressured into drinking, doing drugs, or having sex. Give your teen some ways to say no and let them know they can call you at any time.

19. Do you know whom to reach in case of an emergency?
-- If your teen doesn't already have a cell phone, lend them yours for the night. This way, your teen can reach you and you can check in as well. Make sure you're available all night long in case of an emergency.

20. Do you have enough cash (or a credit card) in case of an emergency?
-- Your teen most likely cleared out their savings for prom. Loan your teen a little extra cash for the night in case there's an emergency.

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--Brianne DiSylvester

Photo Credit: Corbis Photography/Veer