You've dreamed of this day for years, and now it's finally arrived. You're going to take your little girl shopping for a prom dress. You envision a fun afternoon filled with gorgeous gowns, a dressing room Instagram shoot, and a postshopping dinner. Well, we hate to say it, but finding the perfect prom dress [1] isn't what the movies make it out to be. There will be several screaming matches, a few tears, and tons of tulle. Here, a GIF-filled guide to prepare you for your upcoming shopping adventure.

Source: Shutterstock [2]

You tell your daughter you want to take her to the mall.

Source: Fox [3]

She is excited, and so are you!

Source: CBS [4]

You walk into the store, and you're overwhelmed by all the options.

Source: 20th Century Fox [5]

She starts trying on dresses, and everything is great.

Source: NBC [6]

But after a few (hundred) dresses, you two start to fight over everything.

Source: Bunim/Murray Productions [7]

The length.

Source: Sony Pictures [8]

The color.

Source: Disney [9]

The amount of skin she's showing.

Source: MGM [10]

You are one gown away from a dressing room screaming match.

Source: ABC [11]

When suddenly, she tries on the perfect dress.

Source: Disney [12]

And you realize your little girl is becoming a lady.

Source: ABC [13]

You buy the dress, and all is right with the world again.

Source: Paramount Pictures [14]

Until she says she needs to buy shoes to match.

Source: The CW [15]