The Stages of Prom Dress Shopping (as Told by Mom)

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 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

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

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

Source: Fox

She is excited, and so are you!

She is excited, and so are you!

Source: CBS

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

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

She starts trying on dresses, and everything is great.

She starts trying on dresses, and everything is great.

Source: NBC

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

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

The length.

The length.

The amount of skin she's showing.

The amount of skin she's showing.

Source: MGM

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

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

Source: ABC

When suddenly, she tries on the perfect dress.

When suddenly, she tries on the perfect dress.

Source: Disney

And you realize your little girl is becoming a lady.

And you realize your little girl is becoming a lady.

Source: ABC

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

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

Until she says she needs to buy shoes to match.

Until she says she needs to buy shoes to match.

Source: The CW