Graduation Announcements. My heart isn't ready...

I'll be heading down this road next year. I had a lot of sadness the day she turned 17. It was like oh shit where did the years go. Did I do enough? Have I taught her enough? And I have to say when next year comes i want to get to the place where I can be excited for her. Instead of sniffling about how much I miss her. Hugs to you. I can imagine how this feels. Your graduation announcements are awesome!

I'm sitting right beside jeremysgirl - I've got another year with all the kids at home, and then they'll start flying away.

The announcement looks amazing, Steph! Helps to have such handsome subjects for the photos.

Today was class day for my son. They wear their gowns and play pomp and circumstance when they walk in. I have cried 2 times just thinking about all the teachers, paras, therapists who have poured their heart and soul in to him. He has autism and has made huge progress over the years. I'm incredibly proud of him, and in awe of the amazing people who take on careers in special education. I was totally caught off guard and was not expecting to get emotional, but I did.

I did fine until the morning of graduation when my SIL tried to make me feel guilty for not crying. The month leading up to graduation was non stop at work and at home. I am a just get me through this and then I will process kind of girl. Thankfully, both of my boys didn't go too far to college and then wanted to live at home instead of the dorms their sophomore year. There are days I am anxious for them both to be out, but I know I will miss them so much.

BUT - what did you get them as a gift? 

To get two kids to this stage is an achievement and an honor for you as well as for them - bask in the knowledge that you have helped to lift them up to this elevation in their lives and provided them with the confidence to go further!! 

Please, celebrate this milestone for your kids.  Yes, it can be emotional, but please, remember that you are the adult and keep your emotions in check.  This isn't about you and your feelings.  Don't make your child feel guilty because they aren't the precious little darlings of mommy, (tongue in cheek   ) so cute and in kindergarten.


The graduation process is celebrating the milestone.  You gave your kids roots, now PLEASE let them start to fly their wings.  You may not agree with everything, but this is an opportunity for mutual respect to start and grow in the positive direction.

Remember when you were at this stage in your life, and how you wanted to start living your life?  

Embrace that they are adults.  Let them make mistakes as that is how a person learns the lessons.  Start to learn to talk to them as peers, not as an authority figure.  Respect them.  This is THEIR LIFE and times have changed a lot since you graduated from high school.

I'm sitting on that bench with the rest of you! My daughter graduates in 2 weeks. We took her senior pictures last week, the graduation announcements will be mailed tomorrow, she picks up her cap and gown on the 17th then we'll do cap and gown pictures, then it's graduation day!

She's my oldest, so I still have 3 more to go, but those 3 are boys. So it's not going be quite the same next times around.

I have a lot of the same feelings as jeremysgirl. My girl has grown up a lot this year (she still has lots more growing up to go) but I know she'll be OK.

I'll post my pictures soon!

I disagree to an extent. There is nothing wrong with crying tears of joy and pride. I cried when I graduated college. I cried walking down the aisle at my wedding. My mom cried when I graduated college and got married. My mother in law cried when my husband graduated from college. I can't remember if she cried at the wedding. These are not sad tears. These are happy tears. I can't speak for anyone else, but I understood why my mom cried. I don't think anyone is boo hooing and crying like someone died. Crying tears of joy for me comes from a heart filled with love and pride for my son. 

Parents, don't be ashamed at your tears of joy. It's a beautiful thing.

That brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations to all of you. Love the announcement.


*Brag duly noted. 

You'll be fine!!!  Think of the alternative.. they could be drop-outs and worked at McDonald's for the rest of their lives and live with you and not move on!! LOL

Seriously though, this is what we prepare our kids for... to move on and start their new lives... the alternative is much more worse if they don't have some kind of directions. (I am assuming they have plans for the future of some sort)  

My good good girlfriend has four boys... as of last year they have all graduated.  ALL of them still live at home.  A few work part time retail/restaurant, one is taking classes and working pt. One doesn't work.  The oldest is 25 and works graveyard at a grocery store and sleeps all day.  I tell her she is NUTS... She needs to get these boys motivated to do something!  The ONE son who is taking classes is the only one that is doing something for his future (and he was my son's best friend)... but otherwise.. yeah... (I secretly think she doesn't mind them being home though)

Hang in there!!

Hugs,mama! I have always said...why does nobody tel you how painful it is for your kids to grow up? People tel you about babies and toddler and warn you about teens. But nobody Telamon you that you'll look back on pictures and your heart will break!!!! It's a wonderful thing but also painful!

Love your announcement!! Extra congrats for having two in one year (and 2x the sr yr expenses...ugh)!!

It hasn't hit me that #2 is graduating and it will and won't be pretty when it does!! I'm very certain it won't be until the grad ceremony. Yikes. She had been our most pleasant kid to have around, although she went off to college 3 hrs away for dual sr yr/freshman year. I'm surprised how quickly we adapted to her being gone....I cried for an hour straight after we dropped her off, so I expected it was going to be a tough year and it wasn't.

I am sitting with Steph, my oldest graduates in 3 weeks.

I know I will there will be tears on my part. Dd know this. Dh knows this. Everyone who knows me well knows this. It isn't meant to make dd feel bad it is who I am.

I just asked dd if she would feel guilty if I shed some tears at her graduation and she looked at me like I was crazy and asked 'Why?'

Steph, congrats on your sons graduating. The announcement looks awesome. You have a lot to be proud of.