Oooo - Weeee... it's Prom time y'all. Yes, we are going there...

Parents, it's your money. (In most cases) Please supervise how it's spent. Remember, you will be looking at those pictures somewhere in your family or living room, for many years to come. If your "babygirl" wears a size 12 dress... please buy her a ...size 12 dress. Don't let "Boo" try to squeeze or stuff herself into a size "6" and walk up out of the house that way. It will not make her look slimmer, it will make her look like the crazy girl she is, trying to fit into a dress too small. People will look at her and wonder... "Where was her Mama when she was getting dressed?" And yes, teenagers do have "stretchmarks", "cellulite", and "dunlap" - (you know, when the belly 'done' lapped over what should be a waist, but you're still calling it ..."babyfat"...?) - mama, just make sure your baby has hers covered. Now, I'm not putting anyone's body type or size - down, I'm only saying "dress to fit the part". Most of us can't just put on anything, and expect to look good, that's just keeping it real... Make the time, if you haven't so far, to help your kids prepare for this occasion. You should have been there when they were shopping anyway, since you probably paid for it.

Another thought to keep in mind, you won't be there, but other grown ups will. Someone say "chaperones" please...? Yea, right... some of them will have the sense and maturity of a "beansprout". Pictures will get taken, and posted somewhere, comments will be made on the phone, in text messages, and via e-mail, ... oops, am I talking too much? Well, just in case, families - please make sure all your "T's are crossed, and all ya' I's are dotted", because everyone won't cherish lil' Junior, or "Princess" the way you do". What may make you proud, may make them the butt of many jokes.

The facial piercings do need to come out, and our nails should be one color. Mohawks were in one year for girls, but not for boys (?) who can ever tell with teenagers, oh, and the pimp cane you found in grandaddy's garage, you know... right along with that box of Albums he keeps sayin' is worth a lot of money (?) put that thing back where you found it, 'cause that ain't cute..., just like them dusty albums probably ain't worth no money either.

All I'm saying y'all is, this will be a memorable occasion, Prom is a rite of passage for our high school Juniors and Seniors. For some, this may be the first and only elegant affair, until their wedding day. Unfortunately, some of those young lives will change and not for the better... for some youngsters, it's sad to say, but the next suit they put on will be "state issued", and God knows, I don't wish that on anybody, but let's not be in such a hurry to have them look so grown, enjoy this time... tomorrow is not promised to us, so try and make the most of those beautiful memories, get selfish, take a lot of pictures - but don't do anything without "inspecting" their attire before they leave home that night... don't forget, th' diva will be expecting her pictures from everybody! peace out y'all! copyright pending