May and June are exciting months in the academic world. Students, teachers, professors, and sometimes parents, are relieved to see the end of the school year. (And yes, we understand that some parents of younger children may not be as excited as they think about planning childcare for the summer.)
Although almost everyone is happy to see the end of the school year, the most excited may be those students – and their parents – who are graduating. Graduation marks an end of one thing and the beginning of another, but for now, the focus is on the winding up, the conclusion, the end – and as exciting as it may be, it can also be bittersweet.
As the parent of a graduate, whether it is high school Graduation or college Commencement, you can expect to feel a range of big emotions. It’s natural. Pride, relief, joy, sadness, a sense of loss and anxiety about the future may all mix together. And yes, you may cry tears that reflect the cumulative mix of all of these emotions. Give in to it all. Laugh a lot, cry a little, feel all the emotions and then celebrate. This is a milestone for your student. Talk to them about it, reflect and share memories with them, celebrate with them in whatever way feels right for your family.
Parties are nice. Cakes, cards, decorations, memory books, gifts, trips or family vacations, a “Yes Day” where the graduate chooses activities, food or whatever they want for the day are all traditional ways to celebrate the event. But remember, it’s all about the graduate. Let them choose the kind of celebration they’d like. (And if you’re itching for a party, but your student doesn’t want one, call up some other parents of graduates and have your own parent celebration! You deserve congratulations, too!)
Because this season can feel overwhelming, we offer some articles to give you a few things to think about as you celebrate this season as well as some gift ideas and maybe some parent homework. And if you have a high school graduate headed to college, we’d also like to share some information about our new E-book to help you through the summer to follow.
Check out some of the following articles – and congratulations to both your student and to you!
Commencement: Are You Ready for the Pomp and Circumstance?
Parents, Write a Commencement Speech
Gift Ideas for Your College Graduate
Gift Ideas for Your High School Graduate
And then, after all of the celebrations, it’s time for you and your high school graduate to think about what needs to be done during this important “senior summer.”
The Summer Before College: A Parent Survival Guide from Deposit to Move-In
