×

Congratulations to the Class of 2018

I’m not quite sure where to begin. This has been my first year of “last” activities throughout my child’s senior year. I’ve attended the last high school soccer game, school play, concert, band, and parade. There have been flower ceremonies, acknowledgements, teas and awards. I was weepy in the beginning but overtime all the graduation events have almost steeled me to this first of many family transitions. Rather than the quick rip-off, It’s been the slow band-aid approach. I’m thinking that this gradual lead-up is so that all parents don’t have complete mental breakdowns during the graduation ceremony. Don’t burst my bubble, people.

There are a couple things I’ve learned throughout the year. If you are crying into your soup every night that your child is graduating, that is just fine. Let me know and I will gladly give you a hug. I want to let you know that whatever emotions you are experiencing are the right ones for your family. It can be relief or sadness, anger, or grief. Don’t let someone tell you that your feelings are wrong. I’m hovering on the hospital smiley face scale somewhere between zero and off the charts. I can’t be sad right now. My child is all bright hopes and shiny future.

I was asked by one person why parents are upset about graduation? Is it the whole “baby bird leaving the nest?” I wanted to pontificate all the ways this change affects the family dynamic, but I didn’t the chance. The person walked away. So you all get to suffer the consequences. My answer would have involved a lot of arm waving, so just imagine that part. The basic family structure changes whenever people are born or leave. We adapt, but we are the ones that are left behind. We can remember the past while the graduate is only looking toward the future. It’s supposed to be that way, but it is still a hole or an empty seat at the table.

My one piece of advice (at this time) for graduates as they transition from their family homes, into jobs, college, apartments, car loans, student loans, insurance, and bills is this: the basic misconception of graduating and “being an adult,” is that we get to do whatever we want. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that children get to do whatever they want. Infants are fed, clothed, and entertained on demand. We start out life being taken care of and yes, having every one of our demands met. That role slowly changes as the child grows. Playdates are set, playgrounds are explored, and child -specific activities are created. (No adult sits at a playground for hours without a child. It’s creepy, for starters, and possibly illegal.) Throughout each moving-up ceremony, children are given more responsibilities until the final cap and gown.

So for all graduates and their families, I applaud you. It takes 18 years to grow an adult. With plenty of mistakes, lessons learned, transitions, mentors, and love our family proudly watches our child take all the right steps out our door. Congratulations to all!

Diane Chase is the author of the “Adirondack Family Activities” guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today