With two teenagers in the house, I have become increasingly aware that I am a hideous creature who must be hidden away, preferably in the car so the girls can still get to everywhere they need to go, "No don't come in mum, we'll come out."

Knowing that no matter what I wore to the ball, I would be causing my children great pain, I thought I would try to minimise the impact by asking for their opinions on a number of outfit options.

The girls gave each dress a title, a score out of ten, pros, cons and any additional feedback which was recorded and tallied to help with the decision making process.

For example, 'Feathers' scored a 7.5 from my baby girl who said it was "very gorgeous", while it got a five from my 15 year old who recorded as positive that it "covers bulges".

Unfortunately, the debutante herself noticed "it looks see through!" and concluded: "I would prefer if you didn't wear it in public" - hence the 4.5.

'Orange sparkle' was a mixed bag ranging from a score of 5 right through to an 8 and comments including, "looks nice apart from legs...and arms don't look too great", "grannyish" and "you can see your tummy a bit but it is glamourous".

Hmmm.

That was a 'no' then.

My third dress titled 'Black' caused controversy with a high score from my 15 year old but a low score from the eldest with the feedback that, "I don't like the cleavage" and "it doesn't make your figure look that great".

My baby girl simply said, "very glamourous" - why does she have to grow up?

The final two dresses, 'Long Tropical' and 'Green Mermaid', were tied on score, with some positive comments for the first including "young and funky", "looks good" and "very pretty".

For 'Green Mermaid' there was, "only problem is the tummy" and "is it too over the top/young for you?" but from my youngest "love, love, love, my favourite, yes, yes, yes!".

What did I wear?

Just call me 'over the top'.

A Mum's World appears every Monday in The Wimmera Mail-Times.