I've been thinking about Anne's article "Applause" in the June issue of Goldivas. I've been in a position to see teens and their mothers shopping for prom dresses, and I've noticed a very wide range of interactions there. Sometimes, the mothers and daughters obviously like each other and the mother isn't afraid to show that she is proud of her daughter. Other times, not so much. In these cases, the daughter emerges from the fitting room looking absolutely gorgeous, and she has a hopeful look on her face while she waits for approval from a mother who is determined to withhold that approval. The mother will keep her expression neutral while she shrugs and says, "it's OK". And I think, "You B*tch!" Though of course I can't say that. But I wonder what are these mothers hoping to accomplish? Do they think showing approval will cause their daughters to become too "full of themselves"? Mothers, think about this. Are you giving your daughter the applause she hopes for?