Our S never dated at all in HS. He hasn’t really missed it and has been fine and had good relationships since. He had the opportunity to attend balls in his engineering school when he was at USoCal, but declined those as well. He doesn’t appear to have been harmed in the least by not having those experiences.
You have to figure out what YOU want and do it. If you think it will be a terrible bore, figure out how to make it fun or figure out something you’d prefer to do and do that.
Neither of my sons went to their prom and neither has any regrets. They are graduated from college now. Going to a dance party where no one wants to dance with you is miserable. I’ve done it and don’t recommend it. Going with a group of friends is fine, but it doesn’t sound like you have a group that would go with you. And yes, you probably will find someone eventually if you are open to a relationship. My younger son finally met someone junior year in college. He’s been with her ever since. Definitely worth waiting for.
I did not go and don’t regret it. I agree with those who said do something fun: a spa day, movies, a good dinner. Ask your Mother to please not be sad about it and to let it go.
My H never attended any proms, dances or similar events when he was in HS. He has no regrets. The ones I attended when I was in HS were mostly stilted and awkward and I don’t have fond memories of them.
My D attended with a large group of girlfriends and each of the males who attended were friends with ALL of the other females and males in the group so that everyone could talk to everyone else. They had fun, but it was very involved finding dates that all knew and got along with everyone it the group.
S was fine (though slightly sad) that he was too ill to enjoy attending any of these events in high school due to chronic health issues. He did attend a band banquet in 8th grade that was mostly awkward and I think he would have preferred to have skipped.
Your mom should really not be living her life thru you–she needs to let you live YOUR life. If she is sad, she needs to figure out how to make herself happy in a way that is independent of whether or not you choose to attend or not attend any particular event.
Our son did not attend his HS prom. He has no regrets. As parents we kind of wish he had if just to be sociable however, he did not feel that he was “part” of any group. Soon after starting college he attended the freshman formal with several new friends that he made - he found his tribe. Everything is going to be alright.
Okay–gotta ask. What is up with all the guys (your sons) not wanting to go to a dance?
Get off the couch and go! Send them!
Mini rant.
If you can’t learn how to deal with social situations in HS, do you think things will miraculously improve later in college? Hard to ask a girl for a simple date (or accept a date) in HS? Guess what? College will be harder.
Think HS is the last time your kid needs to learn some social skills and wants to avoid them? Think again.
Yeah, he could have a sucky evening. But he hasn’t had the evening yet so how can you tell?
Spend some time teaching your kids etiquette so they feel comfortable BEFORE something comes up.
Don’t do small talk? Girls don’t have that problem for the most part–maybe son will learn something.
Can’t dance? Learn some moves. Go to youtube–expand your life and dance abilities. It’ll do you good.
I do recognize the flip side–prom has gotten way too expensive in many areas and blown out of all proportion on too many levels. And that’s a real shame. I was very happy for my kids that “saner” heads ruled and turned their proms into an event affordable and open to everyone.
@gouf78 You seem to have a rather narrow view of “social skills”. A lot of people just aren’t into fancy dress up parties and dances. Just like many college students aren’t interested in the frat scene or in heavy drinking. We have friends, we go out, we engage, we socialize… but highly artificial, over-hyped, and expensive events like prom just aren’t our thing.
I would never require a kid to go to a prom or any other dance. Especially in high school. I don’t go to dances. Why should they?
Asking a girl to prom (or not) is not an indication of social skills. I completely understand why many students are not interested in the hyped up say yes to the dress prom mini-industry.
My older son and daughter went to the prom with a big group of friends - nobody paired off. They had a good time.
My younger son went with a date - that ended up disastrous. I felt bad for him - he spent a lot of money and then the girl pretty much ditched him at the dance. ???
@gouf78 Usually I’d be with you on the importance of social skills, but I think you are off base on this one. My kid, for example, didn’t date in HS, although he had a social life that included both sexes. He did have some relationships at summer programs and happily participated in dances there. He went to jr high dances, but stopped in HS. I don’t know exactly why he chose not to in HS, except that he didn’t like the music and he and one of his friends once intimated to his parents and us that they didn’t like the kids who were drunk and or sneaking alcohol. I have the vague impression that there was someone he liked but she wanted to remain “friends.” Other than that, he was just very private, and in a class of barely 200 where many if not most of them had known each other since age 5 or 6 everyone knew everything about everyone.
In college he not only went to fraternity formals, but organized them and had GFs. So A) it’s not like HS determined the course of his social life forever, and B) a lack of interest in prom doesn’t necessarily reflect on the person’s social skills. 
^^Agree…
If you want to go, go. If you don’t, do something else that you will find fun.
Okay! I get it!
You will note though that I called it a “mini” rant and I do think that prom in way too many areas has gotten out of control. I don’t blame anyone for bowing out of the scene.
It shouldn’t be an expensive enterprise or filled with so much angst to begin. It should be fun (like my D’s was) and much more “no stress”.
But teaching your sons to cook and dance will ensure their popularity for many years!
I took swing dance classes with my first boyfriend in college. Had never been to a single dance in high school. 
Does your school have an after prom? Many students at my kids’ high school only go to after prom. My DD had a much better time at after prom than she did at prom.
One way to determine what to do in these situations is flip a coin. If you’re happy with the result, then so be it. If you find yourself saying, “best out of three” - well, then you know what answer you truly want.
@mathmom–We did disco lessons! With the disco ball and lit up dance floor. What a blast we had.
Now if I could drag hubbie to waltz and foxtrot! (Hard to do those “throw you over the shoulder moves” these days!)
I usually advise people to go to milestone events (especially graduations), including proms. However, I don’t think anybody should go if they’re not going to have any fun. I think OP has gotten good advice. If she wants to go, the best options (in my opinion) are:
If neither of those options works, it’s probably not worth going. Instead, have your mom take you out for a nice dinner–you can both get dressed up.
@Riocat123 I’ve read your post about threes times and this is my advice for you. For many of us responding we realize that prom is just a blip on the screen that will be your life. But, most of us are married, have grown children and grandchildren. We know that the day after prom the sun will surely rise and life will go on. But, for you, you are probably 17, going to prom is so very important to you. And I don’t want to take that importance from you. So, if I were you, I would take some off the suggestions of others and plan an entertaining night either with your parents or friends. Remember, this, too, shall pass. For some, high school is the pinnacle of happiness and personal growth and their lives are never truly complete because they can’t move forward. For others, like yourself, high school is the stepping stone to a truly wonderful world. Don’t worry, you’ll get there and it will be worth the journey.