Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
@scarymommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- The Disney Reveal - May 14, 2013
- Met My Match At Disney… - May 13, 2013
- Sunday’s Baltimore Sun - May 11, 2013
When Lily had her preschool graduation a few years ago, I found the whole pomp and circumstance around the event to be a tad silly. By a tad silly, I mean completely fucking ridiculous.
Fathers were proudly videotaping the event. Mothers were clutching bouquets of flowers in their fists and dabbing tears out of their eyes. Siblings and grandparents were sitting on folding chairs carefully reading the one page programs. Were these people for real? I expected a sweet little performance and maybe a photo op. It was freaking pre-school, not college, for crying out loud. What were they graduating from, exactly? Had they really learned anything? Accomplished anything? I desperately scanned the room for someone to roll my eyes at, but everyone else was transfixed on their own offspring. What a joke.
Ben graduated from preschool today, almost two years to the day that Lily did. It’s a different school, but the fuss was the same. The director gave a speech about milestones and education and how our children are particularly kind and gifted. The kids preformed sweet little songs, diplomas were handed out and the token nervous kid ran off the stage. Everything was pretty much the same, except for one thing: Me.
No, I wasn’t the mom sobbing into her sleeves or the obnoxious one pushing and shoving to get the perfect picture of my kid walking off stage, but I wasn’t rolling my eyes, either. With Lily, little milestones were exciting, not sentimental. Now that I know how fast the years fly by, though, my perspective has changed. Sure, this may just be a big fuss over a little event, but in the blink of an eye these kids will be graduating from kindergarten and eighth grade and high school. Their innocent little years are numbered and they won’t always look so darling up on stage. It kind of is something to celebrate.
I’m confident of one thing: When Evan graduates in two years, I will be “that” parent, holding a bouquet of balloons with tears streaming down my face. And, I’m even more sure that there will be a first time mother rolling her eyes at me. But, I’ll be too busy with my eyes transfixed on my baby to notice.
{ 88 comments… read them below or add one }
That is so true, they grow up so fast. Embrace the moment and let yourself get caught up in the excitement of the little milestones in their lives. :)
Ali recently posted..Roasted Vegetable & Goat Cheese Wrap
: ( I cried.
Just reading this made me cry.
Doesn’t the time fly?
My baby is going to freaking MIDDLE SCHOOL next year.
Kill me now!
Life with Kaishon recently posted..Thank you
Oy. I dread middle school!
When my oldest graduated from preschool last year, I was too busy trying to keep my younger two from having meltdowns to get all emotional about it.
I’m the same mom who dropped her kids off at preschool by shoving them out the van door w/o fully stopping, though.
But, my youngest? He starts preschool this fall and I’ll cry.
Shell (9:32pm)
Thanks!! You made me laugh out loud at the comment ‘shoving them out the van door without fully stopping’.
I’ve been *bitchy* all morning (PD day today) and this one had me laughing cause we’ve all had our moments of being unable to get rid of the kids fast enough!
I have to say, I do feel schools amp up the achievements of three year olds at the end of the school year. I have read take-home flyers that make the kids sound like brain surgeons and rocket scientists after all the hard work theyve done at the school.
Bird feeders are cool, but COME ON.
Anthony recently posted..Emotional Discipline- The New Way to Raise Well-Behaved Kids
Hahaha! Tad silly = fucking ridiculous. You crack me up. I agree with you..the years seem to be flying by. Now to only get someone to capture a picture of you clutching that bouquet with misty eyes!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation recently posted..Wordful Wednesday- Blissfully Belizean
So, damn true. It’s sort of the end of the year celebration with every sport our children participate. What are they getting those trophies for participating? We are awarding a generation for non occasions. Makes the real celebrations…dull. sigh
I am a mother of 4 and I have seen 3 of my children graduate from PS, and 2 from HS! I NEVER rolled my eyes because even the first time, I knew it was important. Not for me, but for my child, and for his teachers. It was the PS teachers that got the most out of it, as they were saying goodbye to a group of kids whom they had learned to love, and would never have the privilege to teach again. Sure, they would see them at the local grocery store once in a while, but not in the classroom. Now I am looking down the barrel of the same graduation ceremony in a couple of years and because this is my last, I will be bawling, I’m sure. Because, I too, know how fast the time goes, and yes it’s only preschool, but literally in the blink of an eye it will be HS!!! Thank you for sharing this milestone of your child’s with us! It was great to reminisce my own children’s milestones.
Karen Coffey
I’m quite sure I will be bawling at every high school graduation. I get sad just thinking about it.
I cry when I pack up another box of clothes my son grows out of so… I’ll definitely be that mom. I’ll also be the mom yelling at her kid to quit trying to kiss all the little girls standing around him. My son, the Lothario.
Chelsie recently posted..Clearly- I’ve got my priorities in order
I cry when I pack up Evan’s clothes because I can picture both boys in them. Sniff.
I’m going to my oldest daughter’s preschool graduation on Friday. I PROMISE you I will cry. And then I will make fun of myself. And then blog about it, natch.
Ryan (The Woven Moments) recently posted..Stuff I Dig – Two Tinas- Free Advice and a Vacation!
Yeah..I am ALWAYS that Mom. I am sitting here crying over YOUR child graduating pre-school. WTH. Seriously. My one and only is 15. I still can picture his sweet little face up on stage. The years fly by. Enjoy them!
One of my close friends (who has two children) was just saying something similar to me the other day! With her first – she thought everything was exciting, but now she’s super emotional with the little one about every milestone. I must confess, though, Peanut’s my first – and the thought of her starting pre-school next year makes me want to cry. I just don’t understand how it happened so quickly!
It really is amazing how fast the years fly when the days drag by so slowly.
You are so funny.
Haven’t had to go through one of those, but I find it hard to imagine I would cry. Balloons probably, photo op definitely. Plus, I’m not sure if they do graduation at my son’s preschool (aka daycare).
I homeschool, but my son went through the whole preschool graduation since he went to preschool before we started homeschooling. I cried then. When my daughter decided that she did not want to go back to preschool for her last year and wanted to be homeschooled, there was a part of me that kind of felt like I was being shafted out of that milestone with her. Of course, then she turned out to be a smarty pants that ended up going through the preschool and kindergarten curriculum this year, and it got me thinking about how I am not going to have those moments with my children. I think they are important. I just feel sometimes like they are growing too fast. I miss the times when they used to snuggle with me all the time. It just goes by so quickly.
lesa recently posted..Not Babies Anymore
My son will be graduating from Pre-K next week. He is my second and last child and I too will love it and be beaming with pride in my Little Man! My older child, my daughter, is almost 11 and starting MIDDLE SCHOOL in the fall, so I know how fast this stuff goes by. I am absolutely savoring each milestone!
Jennifer recently posted..Random Acts of Kindness- Idea 8
I’m more of the eye-rolling type. My fourth graduated Pre-K last week. I recorded the little song and dance because it was precious. But flowers? Crying? Not this jaded mama. I know parents who rented a limo for the Kindergarten father/daughter dance. Are you kidding me?
Erin recently posted..The Dukes of Hazzard- Good Ol’ Family Fun
A limo? For real?!
I’m the other parent who is rolling their eyes at these things and looking for the escape door when the dance recital lasts longer than an hour. :)
My Grandma said that there is a season for all things. When my kids were little I loved coloring. When they turned into teenagers I loved talking with them. Now that they are almost gone and out of the house I look forward to rediscovering the Me that is hiding under the Apron and piles of laundry.
C’mon, totally cute. Sure, it didn’t exist when we were little but milestones are just another excuse for celebration. Make your darlin’ feel special! You are his momma, I think you should totally relish in his graduation for you, for him and for everyone in the fam-dam! Happy graduation big boy!
I am soooo with you, my first daghter, I was like it’s hot in this room this is crazy lets just move on folks so we can begin the summer and I can acctually get her into school this fall and have some peace again. Then with my next one I was little more intrested and got a little emotional (only cus I thought she WAS the last one). And with my baby14 years after the middle one. I too was that sobbing picture taking fool…..and only cus she will be the last one ever! So hang on to your socks when HS Graduation comes around cus it will tear you up! I think that was just from the fact taht I acctually did it, I had managed to get one graduated and she was okay :) I had done it, well one so far. And I love that you drop the “F” bomb sometimes it just happens and soooooo glad to know I am not the only one!
Geeeez, Scary Mommy, why did’cha have to go and do that now. A sad post. A post that points out what we all know, but do not want to admit. A post that unconvers our denial. I wanted to cry. BTW your little guy is too cute.
Not Winning Mom of the Year recently posted..The unspoken rule
Yea, they grow up faster than you know. In spite of this, I agree that it is a bit silly to do the whole kit ‘n kaboodle commencement speech for kids who JUST POTTY-TRAINED YESTERDAY. Sorry for yelling.
Samantha recently posted..Coming Soon- News- Reviews and Maybe Shoes!
Yeah, it’s a bit silly for the parents … but the way I see it, it’s a positive thing to set up good, exciting and fun memories of “graduation” in kids’ minds early. Setting up graduation as a big deal to be proud of could make them more likely to want to stick it out for the real thing (high school).
I homeschool also and my kids are 19 (this month), 11 and soon to be 4. It’s hard for me to get emotional over the milestones because I feel like this is never gonna freakin end. Hope I don’t regret feeling like that when it is over.
Leah recently posted..Sht on a Shingle AKA Hamburger Gravy
lol…you’re too funny! Though my daughter hasn’t started school yet, she and I will be going to her cousin’s kindergarten graduation today. And yes, I do think it’s a bit much…there will be about 10 other family members there (some which took off work for the day) and then we’ll all be going out to eat afterwards.
Being a mom and a teacher I totally get celebrating the milestones…but some people can get too carried away.
April recently posted..Dinner and a Movie
WHAT – no way my baby is going to preschool. She can live with me until she’s 42 and pretty much never leave the house. ;)
(Also – when choosing a preschool, I purposely chose one that did NOT do graduations as there was no way in hell I was doing any of that crap. ahem. And guess what – my oldest two kids seem quite well adjusted in primary school without having had the pomp nor the circumstance.)
Love this post.
xo
tracy recently posted..How to Garden if you hate worms
Love it and I’m with you, Scary Mommy! I found it all a bit *fucking ridiculous* with my now nearly 17 year-old son back then… but I’ve become far more willing to celebrate everything with my 3 year-old these days. Maybe I’m older and wiser this time around? Ha!
Kelli recently posted..Evolution of a Playroom
Yes, with my second (and last child!), I now finally understand what they mean when they say the days go by as slow as molasses, but the years go by in the blink of an eye. And I know understand why parents look forward to becoming grandparents.
Speaking of which, must be that time of the year for transition posts
: )
Kid Id recently posted..Kindergarten Orientation
I’m an eye roller. We’re prepping for my son’s 6th grade moving up ceremony. By prepping, I mean checking to be sure he has a non-tshirt that still fits and making sure we don’t schedule something else for the same day.
Yes, they grow up quickly. Thank God.
My Sara just graduated from Preschool last week. Our “ceremony” was sitting “criss-cross-applesauce” and playing toys. Then our little graduates were herded to the park where they blew some steam for about an hour. I thought that was the most perfectest ceremony ever :)
Franticmommy recently posted..Trapped Under Mount Washmore Send Help Now
Both of my kids did preschool and kindergarten at school, but I don’t remember the ceremonies … of course, at my age … lol! Then we were just ‘done’ with school and brought them home (and I am not a jumperwearingbibletotingnondrinkingmammaoftwelve) but homeschool rocks ;)
But in our homeschool community, they have the Kindergarten graduates dress in white gowns and caps and walk down the aisle hand in hand with the graduating seniors.
And looking at those years between them – that can make you cry.
When my son graduated from pre-school, I was shocked about all the fuss, but you know what? I LOVED it! He was so excited to walk down the aisle to receive his certificate and I clapped and snapped photos with pride. Enjoy the experience.
Autherine@BoysRising recently posted..Becoming the Happiest Mom- Love Your Love Life
Call it what you will but preschool graduation is a milestone, no different from any other milestone. Two out of three of my kids achieved it (the other was thrown out of preschool) and I loved it.
WHY? It was the only graduation that my mom ever saw of my kids before she died. I treasure the moment. I treasure the picture of her and my daughter.
Grab these “firsts” while you can…you never know.
In short, anything to celebrate an occasion is alright by me…
All Fooked Up recently posted..In which moms do lots of shit so you don’t have to
I really don’t get all this preschool and kindergarten graduation stuff. It seems just a bit dumb to me.
Jen recently posted..The Case of the Missing Pants
Just yesterday, my husband was complaining about something, and I said. “don’t worry. Before you know it she’ll be 22, and we’ll be crying as she packs up to move out forever.”
The time, it flies…
amber recently posted..Small Moments- Big Memories
Yesterday my post was about how much my son has changed in just one year. He’s 14 months and already he’s a totally different child. It’s been amazing to watch him grow. I’ll probably be crying my eyes out at his graduation too in a few years. My husband keeps telling me he’s not a baby. He’s a toddler. Um no. MY tummy was sliced open to bring this little dude into the world. I am going to call him my little baby for as long as I damn well please!
Eve recently posted..Wordless Wednesday- My Baby One Year Ago Today
I thought it was ridiculous, but I’m a complete cheeseball, so I cried!
I can totally relate! I barely remember the day my oldest child graduated from preschool. I think I was perched on the toilet down the hall nursing a baby. But my fourth baby will begin her final year of preschool this fall. A couple of weeks ago when I sat in the preschool parking lot and watched the parents of the graduating class walking into the church for their graduation, I started bawling….and it was not even my freaking child! I have already told my mom friends in my baby’s class that they will want to reserve a seat FAR from me next May when it is us. Good God…what have I become???
This reminds me of how I felt about the mothers on the first day of kindergarten. Until it was time for MY baby to go to her first day of kindergarten.
Jennifer recently posted..The Prize Dance
Yeah … I’m a chronic eyeroller.
When my eldest ‘graduated’ from Kindy it was the whole cap and gown thing but by the time my youngest moved on we (a group of about half a dozen parents) were able to talk the school down to a celebration rather than a graduation. We did a Beach theme and taught the kids a Beach Boys song … it took some of the hype away but left all the warm fuzzy memories.
Two kids out of preschool? Man, time IS flying. What a handsome little man you have.
I’m still that first time mom rolling her eyes, but I’ll be in the sentimental boat soon enough.
I used to be like you were too. I think our first is like that when we deal with the world through snark. I honestly was wishing to mock, but nobody was willing. It’s true. It is special.
Sometimes it’s difficult to relate to that first time, or if it’s never happened to me before. Thanks for sharing, I feel better as I break in my mommy shoes. Nine years later … :|
JourneyBeyondSurvival recently posted..Mental Health and Spirituality
I cried. Only one child and I cried like it was college graduation. I cried just as hard when she lost her first tooth. I enjoy every milestone, but it’s a reminder to me that life flies by…
So funny. We had this convo at work the other day, and I was all, “Caps and gowns for 4 YOs? That’s dumb!”
Our daughter’s preschool had a Spring Show where they did an alphabet song, a numbers song, played the bells and did a little play. And then they put on little hats and walked onto the little stage to Pomp & Circumstance and got little diplomas.
Since it wasn’t called graduation, I wasn’t expecting it. But it was so adorable, I didn’t find it all that cheesy. S will have one more year of preschool, so I wasn’t emotional about it. But I’m sure next year I will be. More because starting kindergarten is really the start of her educational career in my mind, so it is a pretty big deal. In a society where we over-celebrate so many things, I can see how people feel that falls into this category. But I also think instilling a desire to learn is a worth celebrating. But without going overboard on it, too. :)
NotJustAnotherJennifer recently posted..The One Where Our 3YO Threw Up the Devil Horns At Church
HA! I am totally that mom. My daughter graduated preschool last week and I was proud as could be! I didn’t take it to quite that annoying level with flowers and balloons and all that nonsense, but I had my camera and I made sure she looked cute as a button. These are the milestones I want to capture and hold forever! By the way, my son was the token nervous kid who ran off stage – he’s in preschool for another two years before his graduation though.
Loved the post!
M.
A graduation ceremony I can understand. It’s an important time for little ones. They have just taken their first big educational step. They love it and it instills a love of learning, in my opinion. However, a cap and gown for a 4 yr old….REALLY?!? That is a little over the top for me!
At this point, I’m also the mom in the middle – not eye rolling, but not bawling either. This isn’t really the experience here though. My youngest just had her kindergarted graduation, and all through the performance, the parents just wouldn’t shut up! I want to hear the kids sing, not the lady next to me talking about her manicure.
It was the sweetness of preschool that was coming to an end that really got me.
Funny, I have had the exact opposite experience. With my first I was the mom at the dance recital with the $30.00 flowers, crying, pushing my way to the front.
Now at this year’s recital (6th for # 1 daughter, 1st for # 2 daughter) we told everyone they didn’t need to come and we forgot flowers for either. Someone asked me #3 daughter was going to dance next year and I replied GOSH I hope not!
Holly Taylor recently posted..And the race is on
I am one of those parents who gets all sad and mushy about things coming to an end. You know… things like a baby outgrowing their tiny newborn clothes or the last day of preschool. Each event seems to signal how very quickly the years fly by, especially when it pertains to our children. In start contrast, I am giddy with excitement about all of the firsts… first steps, starting kindergarten or the day my son’s feet were officially bigger than mine.
Amy recently posted..Texas-Style Smoked Pork Shoulder and Beef Brisket
I’ll likely only have one child… and I am convinced I will be crying at everything. We met the Easter Bunny at the mall – someone in a ridiculous giant bunny suite, for crying out loud. And I got choked up. No idea why… just one of those things. And graduations, songs at school, first day of kindergarten… i imagine all of it will affect me the same way, if not worse!
Don’t forget the last day of Kindergarten – that is a tear jerker too!
Their first athletic activity (soccer, lacrosse, baseball, etc) – you will cry the first time they step on the field and when they get their trophy or award.
I am a sap. I cry at everything, even every time we sing Happy Birthday to one of my kids.
My youngest graduates from his Pre-K three weeks from today. I have tears running from reading your post and from some of the comments. My son, my baby, is going onto Kindergarten…how can that be!?!?!?!
I will say, though, this time is much different then when my daughter graduated Pre-K four ears ago. A group of us rented a limousine and stopped at each child’s house for pictures. We then had the driver take the kids to McDonald’s where they got a happy meal to eat while the limo just drove around. We had a CD of their music playing and the kids were on cloud 9. When we made it to the graduation ceremony, they put on their caps and gowns and climbed out of the car. It was s fun, exciting treat to celebrate their accomplishment.
Am I doing it for my son…nope. Although, that does not infer his graduation means any less to me than it did when my daughter graduated. In all honesty, if I could have gotten a group to agree to do the limo this year, I would have been the first to sign up.
Pre-K graduation is a big deal. My son knows all of the Kindergarten sight words, can count to 100, and sometimes I think he is better than my 9 year old at math! :)
They are not only graduating Pre-K, BUT rather beginning the rest of their life as students.
Now, what I do have a problem with are 5th grade and middle school graduations…what is that all about?!?
They do grow up too fast! I try to savor every moment and milestone they have.
A Mommy in the City recently posted..The Proposal Vlog
This was refreshing to read. As a mom of 3 my eldest entering third grade I felt very similar. As my youngest turned 2 this year I am always fixated with the milestones as time has flown by!
Your post made me smile:). I’m a bit nervous of when Julian goes through this..he’s only 1! I’ve always been the type to laugh at parents who bragged about their toddlers “Johnny went poo in toilet..horray”. Me, “UGH.” Now I’m one of them. Hmmm. I think I’ll bring a bottle of champagne to Julian’s pre-school grad. Should I drink via flute or flask? Ha. Thanks for the post.
Tita Pretty recently posted..For the love of food
So you are saying someone like me is in trouble- I am not ready for my 3 yr old daughter to go to pre-school. I am holding out another year.
Melissa Sankey recently posted..Toddler Talk Thursday & Day 104 261 Days Left
I booked a Bar Mitzvah date earlier this year. It is going to be in 2013, but I know how fast that will come.
My baby is a hair short of 7 and chances are by the time I finish writing this will be 30. Time moves too quickly.
Jack recently posted..The Words We Write
My little guy graduates preschool in a couple weeks…I still can’t believe it! He’s my one and only…so should be a little emotional for me even though I’m SO not that girl.
The Mommyologist recently posted..I’m Still on the Coast Somewhere
I raised my (way too close in age boys) without a lot of emotional showmanship to embarass their little selves -there was no time for that. Now I’m raising my 3 yr old grandson and I am that emotional sap! Probably cost me thousands in therapy bills….his or mine, not sure, but now I realize how fleeting every moment is!
Once upon a time, I was a snarky chick who would’ve scoffed at something like a preschool graduation. Now I cry with the best of them. Oh, what has become of me? (Kids, that’s what.)
Martini Mom recently posted..Ode to a teacher
We just went to my step daughter’s 8th grade graduation last night, and I was DREADING it and thought the whole concept of “graduating” from 8th grade was ridiculous, but it was really kind of- not fun, per se, but really undetestable. One of the 8th grade speakers actually even wrote a kick-ass speech.
Craftwhack recently posted..A Letter to My Husband
Growing up, our school did not have a big production when we graduated from one school to the next. It was pretty simple and boring. At the end of the school year, everyone went to the gym, watched a few pictures move across a white screen with some loud music most of us would never listen to. When it was over, we said good bye and went home. It was not until I actually graduated from school all together was there a huge production.
Your son is adorable!
Kelsey recently posted..003 Best Place to Brunch
I was pleased to hear that my n°1 wont be allowed in preschool until november this year. More time for her to continue being my baby.
It’s so, so different for each kid, isn’t it? Our graduations have been simple, played down, and mushy. And I won’t lie- I love them.
Galit Breen recently posted..The Red Dress Club- The Last Time
Loved your account of how your feelings about this changed! I have personally always thought preschool graduations were ridiculous (and I used to work at a preschool), but I’m pregnant with my first, so maybe I’ll be all teary-eyed before long too. :)
Ha! As a parent of a singleton I had all those emotions at once! Like WTF IS THIS???, right into, OH MY BABY!!!
My daughter graduates from high school next year and I have already started with the tears! We have already started her “lasts” of things to do in high school. My boys will be in 9th and 7th grade next year. It goes too, too fast! It seems like my youngest just had his kindergarten graduation. I remember it so well. They are growing up and doing what they are supposed to be doing, but it is so hard for us moms!
April Queen recently posted..The View and Wedding Talk
What a great post!
My first-born is graduating from preschool next week. I’m not usually a mushy mom; i have always looked at all the positives of the next stage, not what we were leaving behind (which was usually bottles and diapers). But something about the end of preschool/begninning of kindergarden has me a bit choked up. . .
Oh I feel like all I do lately is try to take mental snapshots of my girls and remember what they are like now. Especially of my almost 3 year old. She’s still so little and says the cutest things. Plus she is such a love and runs around kissing and hugging everyone all the time. I’m going to be so sad in ten years from now when I get a chorus of “you just don’t understand!” from all three of them along with bedroom doors slamming in my face. Isn’t there a way to keep them this young for just a little longer, dammit!
Oh and by the way-it’s already starting with my six year old. I get an eye roll from her about something I say one a daily basis. SHE’S SIX! WTF??
Kristi recently posted..Name That Tune Part 2
I didn’t even attend my own (highschool) graduation. I opted out & asked my mom to throw a party…which I left early to go to a Backstreet Boys concert. (I figured if I bowed out early people could party without a bunch of kids around.)
I was tempted to pull my kid from her preschool graduation…but the teachers had hyped it up so much I couldn’t possibly without facing tears & screaming for days.
They are matriculating. They’re FORCED to do it! College graduation? That’s impressive. No mommies & daddies putting you on the bus with your lunch…driving you to finish your projects & get books. Up through your 16th birthday you’re required by law to go to school…And after that most people have parents still forcing them to go.
I just watched as my Granddaughter “graduated” from preschool! I too thought it a bit much, but at the same time was feeling very sentimental as the memories of my children graduating came flooding to mind & having just experienced my daughter’s college graduation all in the same week, I can say just savor each moment because they sure do fly. There was a quote a saw when my kids were little and it is so true~ ” Days are long, but years are short.” ~ Enjoy.:0) Terry Stahley, Camp Ladybug For Women
When/if my oldest graduates from high school in 3 years, I’ll be so happy. I probably won’t be the one crying with joy though, I’ll be the one crying with relief!
Sandra recently posted..Before I became a blogger- I wanted to be
Mine have never been to preschool so we have never had to go to a graduation…yet, my eldest graduates Kindergarten on Monday and I will admit, I am going to be the tears streaming sobbing beaming with pride mom.
Brittany recently posted..Soap Box Saturday- A DivaLiving Transfer on Drunk Dialing
Awww, it’s sweet that you came to a softer conclusion. I’m usually the one at those things rolling my eyes. We never have the video camera. . . kind of like child abuse in our community. ;)
Nina recently posted..The Twitter Thanking Crisis
I’m with the beginning of the story, it IS fucking ridiculous, yes I’ve only had one graduate (I’ve got 3 more to follow), and that was kindergarten. I found myself pissed off that they had to learn the wheels on the bus as a featured song. Really? There was nothing else to teach my kid during his first year in school? I’m pretty sure I’m not going to get teary eyed with the others, just more annoyed that it’s even part of school life.
Mine little one is just figuring out how to sit up by herself…and I think it is all going to fast now. This totally made me tear up.
I cried (just a little) when I enrolled my daughter in preschool. Not sure what I’ll be like when she “graduates”.
I do know I’ll be a mess when she leaves for college, but at least that won’t happen for a while.
Carolyn recently posted..Momma Confession- I Dont Share
I was a music teacher for 21 years (and never been a parent). Every year I had to play accompaniments for the kindergarten graduation songs and run sound for the event. I only ever saw the type of parent that rudely pushes and stands where ever they need/want to in order to get the perfect pictures. Those kinds of folks would also bring the ceremony to a complete halt by instructing their child to stop, smile, wave or go back and shake hands again with the principal. Don’t be that mom two years from now with your next child. They are extraordinarily irritating.
At first when I read this I thought to myself ” this is kind of harsh” but I am very glad you saw the other side to it towards the end. Preschool graduation IS something that is special and the children love getting ready for it because it makes them feel so proud.Yes I agree you do not have to go over the top for it. Just a simple acknowledgement that you are proud of them is fine. I have been working in a childcare center for 4 years now and we are having our preschool graduation tonight. I am so excited for them.Next year will be pretty tough though. It will be my fifth year working there which means the kids that will be graduating are the kids that I first met when they were in our infant room. I cannot believe how much time flies by either. I watched those children take their first steps and start to talk. I remember a child in the toddler room that would never speak when we tried talking to him and now in preschool that is all he does! He is so funny! I am always looking back at these children when they were just babies and it is going to be sad to see them leave our program. Some of these children spend 8 hour days with us and come 5 days a week. They really grow on us during all of that time. So its really sad to know that we may not see your children again once they graduate.So We want you as parents to know how nice it has been to be a part of your child’s life when we have graduation for them.
You were right the first time. Habituation can anaesthetize us to the ridiculous. But be strong. Fight back. Don’t let the wave of sentimental, hyperbolic hysteria get to you. Yes, there is a transition. By all means ritualize it. Celebrate the occasion. But for god’s sake, keep it in perspective. It’s not a “graduation”, nor is completing 8th grade. Leaving High School just about qualifies (my younger son “graduates” from his High School in a couple weeks, so, yes, I’ve had all the experience). If the end of Pre-K is to become a graduation with diplomas, and caps and gowns, and framed photos, and parties, and cakes, and presents, what on earth is left for a real graduation, like earning an undergraduate degree from a university?
I was a Preschool teacher. Let me tell you, the end of the year was the biggest head ache anyone could imagine. Getting the kids to participate in singing practice was like pulling teeth. Seeing all the parents get all crazy over such a small thing drove me crazy. Yes, saying good bye to those few special children in my class was difficult. Saying good bye to families I grew to know well was hard too. The ceremony itself was nothing more than a retched event that I was made to participate in. These parent’s put way too much emphasis on these small things their kids have done. With some, one on one time, believe me your kids would learn the same thing at home with you on the weekends and in the park playing with other young children. Here is blunt…PS and Kindergarten “GRADUATION” ceremonies are stupid. I am a mother of twins. They will enter Kindergarten next fall. I did not send them to PS, mainly because financially I could not. I feel so lucky knowing that my kids will not be subject to this false sense of accomplishment so early in life. If the school they attend next year plans a ceremony, I will allow their participation only so they can be with their friends. There will be no party going to celebrate. We will however do something fun to ring in the Summer. Sorry to be blunt and harsh, this is purely just my personal feelings on this matter. I really think we are over excited as a society for things that are just stepping stones to learning.