Prom is way too important for your teen to miss. Every child should have the oppourtunity to go. I have some tips on saving money for the dress or tux rental and where to shop or even apply for help if you really don't have the money.
Tell your son or daughter to go through all of their clothes and "toys" and have a garage sale to raise the money for the tux or dress and tickets. You could also help out bygoing through your own goods!
Have them start clling relatives to do errands for pay to raise the money. They can offer to mow or weed landscaping. Babysit or clean. They could even organize a much needed garage for a neighbor. Don't limit their customers just to relatives.
Check ALL of your used stores, open your phone book to find the nearest. Often there are plenty of dresses to choose from for under $20.00. Alterations may only run a few dollars if you just need a hem up or if you are creative, you and your daughter may just have fun sprucing up a less than perfect dress.
Next check out the stores. Inform your child that they have X amount of dollars to spend and that is THAT. This way you both won't have to feel bad when you see the prices. You can find a dress for $30.00-$40.00 fairly easy in the stores' clearance. Don't forget how to use accesories to spice up a plain gown. The used stores are almost never out of jewelery. Use several long chain necklaces to form a belt on a plain black dress. Buy some arm length gloves or short lacey ones if they look great. These are fairly cheap accessories.
Look in your phone book or call all of the tux rental stores to see if there are any coupons available. Or see if a discount is available for groups and get your son's friends together to all go in on the same day for rentals.
There are several charities for prom gowns and tux rentals all over the states and even in Canada. I have included links to the lists of them. If you feel you may qualify for any of them plaese click over and check these out.
Remember to go over prom safty with your teens. Each year as I am sure you are aware, many die involved in alcohol and drug related issues. Also remember to find out with who and where your child will be. Let them know you will pick hem up if they get into trouble and to just call you. Most of all enjoy one of your most precious memories of your child's life!
http://wy.essortment.com/waysfindreal_tuln.htm
5 ways to find a cheap dress
Sharon Stone's Charity to help the needy. They offer help to poor students in need of prom gowns and tuxedos.
General Information
Planet Hope is a non-profit 501 c3.
1-800-314-HOPE
Here is a list of state by state individuals willing to help and programs in these states.
http://www.glassslipperproject.org/yostate.htm
An even more extensive list for wikipedia!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charitable_Prom_Organizations
I AM SUCH A CHEAP Mom I Shop Garage Sales For.
I think I may have let on by now that I own very few items that are bought new. I love a bargain, what can I say?
Well my favorite time of the year is here... GARAGE SALES! This is the time of the year I find allot of things that can really run up a tab when bought new through the year.
I always keep track of which child needs summer clothes and keep their sizes jotted down. I look for like new items. Shoes, I usually find the kids sandals and swimsuits used. Summer toys too. pools and sprinklers, bikes and roller skates, I always look for these things.
On a bigger note I look for school clothes and back packs. I have all summer, so I hold out for the right style and newest looking clothes I can find. Allot of times I can find most of their clothes for the next year used. I often find their dress shoes used too. I will usually end up buying under garments, socks and sneakers new. That's quite a deal considering the under garments and other new purchases I mentioned add up to about $100.00 for my two children. (that does include supplies). I also look for pencil cases and pencils and any other goodies I run across that are new looking and fall under school supplies.
I like to look for big toys my kids are wishing for and anything close to them. If I luck out and find the item new enough I save it for their birthday or Christmas, which ever is closest. I have found a Nintendo Game boy with a case and several games in the box. That was a great birthday present and unexpected since we normally don't buy such a big present. I have also found allot of games and cars with race tracks in boxes for our son. Radio control cars too. Those usually cost allot new. I have raised my kids this way so they are thrilled if they get the thing they are wishing for new or near new! The little ones don't even know the difference.
Other great buys are Tupperware. I love Tupperware. I will not buy it new though, it costs too much. Too much when I can buy it at the used store or at a garage sale. I just picked up a ten piece set of fridge containers for $5.00. This is a lot of containers that would run more than $50.00 and it is so new looking I would not be surprised if they never used it! Anyways, I also buy our drinking glasses and dishes. (the kids do dishes) We go through allot of glasses. Even at the dollar store you don't pay a quarter a glass.
The trick is to not just buy junk and stuff. Buy what you need. What is on your list of things to buy? Can you find them at a garage sale? If you're like me, the answer is likely yes.
Well my favorite time of the year is here... GARAGE SALES! This is the time of the year I find allot of things that can really run up a tab when bought new through the year.
I always keep track of which child needs summer clothes and keep their sizes jotted down. I look for like new items. Shoes, I usually find the kids sandals and swimsuits used. Summer toys too. pools and sprinklers, bikes and roller skates, I always look for these things.
On a bigger note I look for school clothes and back packs. I have all summer, so I hold out for the right style and newest looking clothes I can find. Allot of times I can find most of their clothes for the next year used. I often find their dress shoes used too. I will usually end up buying under garments, socks and sneakers new. That's quite a deal considering the under garments and other new purchases I mentioned add up to about $100.00 for my two children. (that does include supplies). I also look for pencil cases and pencils and any other goodies I run across that are new looking and fall under school supplies.
I like to look for big toys my kids are wishing for and anything close to them. If I luck out and find the item new enough I save it for their birthday or Christmas, which ever is closest. I have found a Nintendo Game boy with a case and several games in the box. That was a great birthday present and unexpected since we normally don't buy such a big present. I have also found allot of games and cars with race tracks in boxes for our son. Radio control cars too. Those usually cost allot new. I have raised my kids this way so they are thrilled if they get the thing they are wishing for new or near new! The little ones don't even know the difference.
Other great buys are Tupperware. I love Tupperware. I will not buy it new though, it costs too much. Too much when I can buy it at the used store or at a garage sale. I just picked up a ten piece set of fridge containers for $5.00. This is a lot of containers that would run more than $50.00 and it is so new looking I would not be surprised if they never used it! Anyways, I also buy our drinking glasses and dishes. (the kids do dishes) We go through allot of glasses. Even at the dollar store you don't pay a quarter a glass.
The trick is to not just buy junk and stuff. Buy what you need. What is on your list of things to buy? Can you find them at a garage sale? If you're like me, the answer is likely yes.
How Do You See A Teen Mom? How My Mother Saw Me Through. (WHAT I GAVE MY MOM FOR MOTHERS DAY)
Memories came flooding to my head, burning my eyes in our small town grocery store yesterday; "Mom, there's that pregnant girl" my daughter whispered.
I was 15 when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. She is now one month shy of that age.
I saw myself yesterday. I saw my own mother standing there too.
Clinging to her mother for dear life, this girl quietly and not too obviously shamefull. I knew it was hard for my mother then. Not until now did I realize what kind of strength it actually took. There she stood guarding her daughter's feelings. Her head up high as if to say go ahead look a little longer. Dare to say something to my daughter.
As my own daughter gets closer to that age, I find myself often reliving those feelings. Praying to God she does not have to face the feelings and struggles I did. I wonder if I have the will and strength within myself to protect and provide the same quality of support my mother did.
Could I be tough enough through those glares? How about the whispers. Would I be able to hold my own tears in for what she would be feeling, losing and facing? Would I be strong enough not to show my tears so that she may know I can handle "it" through the times she cannot?
I urge all of you to think about the courage and drive it takes a teen mom to face the world. She has to face her peers, teachers and family every day.
Smile and say hello the next time you come face to face with a young mother. She is a child who must become what it takes the rest of the world years to accomplish. An adult. She won't have the luxury of living on pasta and rooming with friends through college. Responsible for her childs' well being, nutrition and growth, she must hurry up and create a future for herself so she can provide one for her own child. How long did it take you to find your career and home? Have you yet? She may be a child now, but soon whether she or anyone near her likes it, she will be an adult.
Hope her mother is as wonderful and strong willed as mine was (and is). Wish for her at least for some person to stand half as strong as my mother did for me. A teen mom needs someone to tell her she is still beautiful, smart and wonderful. That she will be a great mother. Someone to let her know that she is such a capable person that her own child/children will turn out just as wonderful as she is. That no matter what else life may have in store, that someone will love them and be there to lean on.
I was 15 when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. She is now one month shy of that age.
I saw myself yesterday. I saw my own mother standing there too.
Clinging to her mother for dear life, this girl quietly and not too obviously shamefull. I knew it was hard for my mother then. Not until now did I realize what kind of strength it actually took. There she stood guarding her daughter's feelings. Her head up high as if to say go ahead look a little longer. Dare to say something to my daughter.
As my own daughter gets closer to that age, I find myself often reliving those feelings. Praying to God she does not have to face the feelings and struggles I did. I wonder if I have the will and strength within myself to protect and provide the same quality of support my mother did.
Could I be tough enough through those glares? How about the whispers. Would I be able to hold my own tears in for what she would be feeling, losing and facing? Would I be strong enough not to show my tears so that she may know I can handle "it" through the times she cannot?
I urge all of you to think about the courage and drive it takes a teen mom to face the world. She has to face her peers, teachers and family every day.
Smile and say hello the next time you come face to face with a young mother. She is a child who must become what it takes the rest of the world years to accomplish. An adult. She won't have the luxury of living on pasta and rooming with friends through college. Responsible for her childs' well being, nutrition and growth, she must hurry up and create a future for herself so she can provide one for her own child. How long did it take you to find your career and home? Have you yet? She may be a child now, but soon whether she or anyone near her likes it, she will be an adult.
Hope her mother is as wonderful and strong willed as mine was (and is). Wish for her at least for some person to stand half as strong as my mother did for me. A teen mom needs someone to tell her she is still beautiful, smart and wonderful. That she will be a great mother. Someone to let her know that she is such a capable person that her own child/children will turn out just as wonderful as she is. That no matter what else life may have in store, that someone will love them and be there to lean on.
The Nat'l. Crisis Pregnancy Helpline 1-800-521-5530
http://www.teenage-pregnancy.org/resources/ list of links including pregnancy options (abortion and adoption)counselors teen parenting guides.
http://dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/Health/Teens/Pregnancy/ extensive list of links to resources from personal teen mom stories to specific programs (financial and legal help, ect.)even a link to help you "break the news" to your parents.
If you are in need of even just a listening ear, please list it in our classifieds or contact me directly at lullabell@frontiernet.net
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