'Moms Talk' Q & A: What limits do you place on prom costs and activities?

Each week the council will answer a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week, the Moms Council addresses how to handle costs and other issues regarding senior prom.

Kim Zannetti: Working at the high school, I am amazed at what goes on for prom.  It truly is becoming a "mini wedding."  It is not uncommon for the girls to spend close to $1,000 for the dress, shoes, hair, etc.

While the tickets to prom are held to a reasonable rate ($50 a couple), the "extra-curriculars" are out of control.

Most schools have an "After Prom," where students come after the actual dance.  Security is pretty tight, and the students have one hour after the dance to "check in" at after prom, or a phone call is made home.  This usually goes until 4 a.m.  A lot of my students have deals with their parents that they pay for at least half of the prom expenses.

If parents don't put a limit on things, they easily spiral out of control.  There are a lot of places now where you can "rent" a dress, or trade an old dress for a new one, (the Plato's Closet concept).  This seems to be catching on.