HS Graduation - NOT

[DisneyFan32WI]

I don't know where some of you live, but is it really an OPTION to attend your only high school graduation ceremony?

This completely shocks me.

 

[dawnhaze]

I didn't want to, but my parents made me. It didn't kill me, but I wouldn't have regretted not going at all. I had a large graduating class and it was a long and boring ceremony. My parents hated it and wished they'd let me skip it.

 

[powellrj]

I don't know where some of you live, but is it really an OPTION to attend your only high school graduation ceremony?

This completely shocks me.

Why would it shock you, how can they make you attend? Its not like they will arrest you for missing it or anything. Like I said, DS wanted no part of it and since school didn't hold happy memories for any of us, why would I have made him go?

 

[akhenaten]

I would tell him it was more for me and my proud mommy moment then for him anyway

Yes, I agree and I would have him go!

 

[LiveYourLife]

I disagree. This isn't just about the student, but his ENTIRE FAMILY. This is a major milestone, and I'm quite sure every mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, uncle, sister, brother, aunt has waited a very long time to share in this special moment.

Not trying to incite a debate, just throwing out another perspective but Weddings are a major milestone that everyone within one's family waits a long time to share the special moment, yet people elope. Every day.

If OP's Son doesn't want to walk and the OP feels his reasons for not wanting to walk are valid, then he shouldn't feel forced to walk for anyone. If Mom, Dad, et all are disappointed, then have a Family dinner to celebrate the occasion. He is still graduating and getting his diploma whether he walks or not.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I don't know where some of you live, but is it really an OPTION to attend your only high school graduation ceremony?

This completely shocks me.

It was required at my high school. No walk=no diploma

 

[LiveYourLife]

I don't know where some of you live, but is it really an OPTION to attend your only high school graduation ceremony?

This completely shocks me.

Yes, it is optional where I live. Also, our schools limit the number of tickets to the Ceremony, 4 at the most is what I know of. Sometimes it's just 2 tickets per graduate. Which means Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins aren't able to attend the Ceremony.

 

[powellrj]

Not everyone family has wonderful HS memories with their child. School was a struggle for all of us and we were just glad to have it over.

His sister who is almost 14 years younger has had a very different experience and is valedictorian of her class. She is very excited about her graduation and we are all looking forward to it, including her brother.

 

[Handbag Lady]

It depends. I wanted to skip mine, but my parents refused. Now, I'm glad I did as it is a fond memory.


But it depends on the reasons, though. If you paid all of those senior fees, had ups and downs with him through school, helped with those awful science projects, isn't this also mom's time to see an accomplishment?

However, if the reasons are valid, your son has no solid friends that are worth his time to join, that he was bullied, that he hated every second of it and just wants to finish and be done, or if there is a medical reason, then I can see letting him skip and I would do something fun for him alone.

 

[sbtrfly74]

It was required at my high school. No walk=no diploma

That sounds like the loaded bag of bs my college tried to pull on me. I went to two graduations (one was specialized) and we were told we would get our diplomas that day if we went..... nope, it was just to make their attendance look good.

You have the requirements to graduate I really dont think any authority figure of the HS can hold your diploma for a stupid reason.

 

[puppawuppa]

3 years ago my daughter graduated high school. She did NOT want to walk but she knew how important it was to us. She walked, we clapped and took pictures. Then went to her favorite restaurant for lunch. She knew it was important to us but not to her and that was OK. I say if you OK with it, why force them?

 

[Bluestars]

I didn't want to attend my high school graduation, but for some reason ended up going to it. I don't remember if I changed my mind or if my parents made me go. I thought it would be a waste of time, but it wasn't. It was a great feeling to get that diploma and know that I was free. I still remember the feeling.

Since everyone is different and your son has reasons you feel are valid for wanting to skip it, then maybe you should let him skip it. Maybe he would rather go out to dinner or something instead.

 

[SLP958]

I would do something else to celebrate with him instead. By the end of high school it is time to start making those life decisions.

 

[NEDisneyFans]

I agree. And I'm not trying to be the "Mrs. Kravitz" of the DISboards.

ETA: OP, I'm not trying to get you to share the reasons. That is between you and your son. What I meant was, if you feel that his list of reasons are valid and he feels his list of reasons are valid, then I say let him skip.

Agreed!

 

[KaLyn]

Check with the school. I don't know where you are, but for me it was required. No walking meant no diploma. There was absolutely no choice.

Sent from my iPad using the DISBoards app.

 

[mhfrau]

I would not make him if he didn't want to. I really don't see the big deal because while I definitely want my "proud mommy moment", I have them every day just by seeing him do well in school, enjoy his life, help our elderly neighbor carry her groceries in, stuff like that. I'm pretty sure my son won't care anything about walking either since he came in as a junior and didn't have tons of school friends. And since he has 800 kids in his graduating class, it won't be much of a personal ceremony anyway. The schools in my county use the same large venue, and for 2 weeks they turn and burn 3 different high schools a day. Now college will be a different story I sure, but high school? Meh.

 

[Chelley00]

I disagree. This isn't just about the student, but his ENTIRE FAMILY. This is a major milestone, and I'm quite sure every mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, uncle, sister, brother, aunt has waited a very long time to share in this special moment.

We get 4 tickets. Me, DH (stepdad), his dad and stepmom. His siblings won't even be able to attend.

 

[sbtrfly74]

We get 4 tickets. Me, DH (stepdad), his dad and stepmom. His siblings won't even be able to attend.

Contact the school for turned in tickets. Or have your kid scout out other kids that dont have four people to attend.




I would love to see from the board of education in any state/county that post the graduation requirements they give you in 9th grade say with an * at the end that "you must attend graduation".... its a scare tactic.

 

[rigs32]

He'll regret it? Why? I have very little memory of mine and I'm not that old.

And we weren't even given our diplomas so it was all for show.

 

[usnuzuloose]

This may seem odd, but I did not attend my JR. High graduation. I know it is not the same as high school. But I broke my ankle just before graduation and I even had made my own dress and wanted to wear it so much. I was so unstable and embarrassed.

But if he has his reasons and your okay with it , let it go. Nagging him won't help. Who knows he may change his mind in time.