Going, going, gown
Kia ora, Judge Jay-Jay!
I’m in an embarrassing pickle. My daughter is going to her first school ball and it’s a big deal to her. All of her friends are talking about their amazing dresses, their hair and makeup artists, their nail technicians… It’s overwhelming and expensive!
I’m a single mother with three children and I barely make enough money to make ends meet. I want my daughter to have the dress of her dreams and to look beautiful for her ball, but I can’t afford to go all-out like her friends seem to be doing. I don’t want her to think I’m a bad mum.
Mel, Hamilton
Hi Mel,
Firstly, you are not a bad mum. This just proves that you are an awesome mum! You want the best for your daughter, even though that is hard for you.
There are clever ways to make your daughter’s ball day an absolute dream without having to break the bank too much. How do you feel about buying a second-hand dress? Most glam frocks have only been worn once, for a special occasion, and are then not needed any more. Scour Trade Me, Facebook Marketplace and even your local pre-loved shops for a sweet find! Wearing a second-hand dress is actually quite fashionable now with environmentally conscious teens.
If that idea doesn’t appeal, there are some great deals online. Just search “cheap ball dresses”. I have seen some amazing ones for $35! Just be wary when shopping online that the store is to be trusted. You can usually tell by reviews and if there is a padlock symbol in the address bar.
For makeup, does your daughter have friends who are budding beauticians? She could convince them to do hers and maybe other friends too for a small price? Or this could be one area you splash out on. A lot of makeup shops – like MAC, Benefit and the counters at Farmers – offer product in return for the price of the makeover, so if the makeup is $70, you get $70 worth of product.
For hair, you don’t have to go too flash. She could just have her hair straightened or if she wants a glam up-do, there are plenty of lower-price hair salons in malls and small suburbs.
To cover costs, do you feel comfortable asking grandparents, your daughter’s father or close family friends if they want to contribute to making her day special? You might be surprised at the response. I’m sure there are many people who love her as much as you do and want her to have a dream day. I hope this helps.
Jay-Jay
A problem shared is a problem halved! Send your sticky issues to Jay-Jay – email [email protected].
