Fun with Graduations for All Ages
Marilyn Andersen
Graduations come in lots of sizes. Once a ceremony that only occurred for high school and college graduations, it was then always a serious and formal affair. Now we see graduations for kids of all ages. They all are embarking on a new chapter in their lives.
It starts with preschool graduations. These have become more common in the past several years. My own preschool graduation was nothing formal. We simply had a picnic in the local park. My younger brother, however, had a more "traditional" graduation ceremony - complete with a construction paper cap and diploma that he made himself. This ceremony was very special to my family, as he had been a preschool dropout the year before. (Life without mommy is tough when you're three!)
I have a daughter who will be graduating from elementary school soon and moving into middle school. Unfortunately both schools are in the same building so there isn't actually a graduation planned by the school. But she's changing - all grown up as she thinks of herself. No more play dates for her - she's setting her sights on trips to the mall and movies with her gal pals. While I enjoy seeing her grow up, I miss the innocent child that is left behind.
By the time high school graduations come around, our childhood really has been put away. It's a bittersweet time where we are sad to leave some of our friends behind but we are also excited to move forward. In some ways this is clearer to us when we get older - just how much our lives changed at that moment. One of the cool things I do remember about that graduation was getting a lot of presents. Everything I needed for my dorm room in college and even some cash.
As fun as my high school graduation was, I didn't expect the formality and pomp of my college graduation. All caps, gowns, diplomas. Why there were medals and sashes of different colors. Such an event for sure. What I've found is that the harder I had to work for the degree, the more I treasured the graduation ceremony. That sense of pride I discussed earlier certainly has been instilled with me.
All graduations should be attended and supported in your child's life. Help them understand that change is a part of life and that by successfully completing another chapter in their life is a bit accomplishment - a measure of success. That pride will support them for the rest of their lives.
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