<p>My son has been telling me for a couple months now that he doesn't want to attend his graduation - He gets fairly combative at the thought of our "making him" do it. It honestly isn't a big deal to me one way or the other... but... what do you think?</p>
<p>Well, I would be sad. I'm sort of a traditionalist, I guess. I want to see my S walk across the stage (or gym floor) in his cap and gown. The symbolism of the event is meaningful to me, and I would want him to do it for his grandparents, too. I'm pretty sure that it won't mean as much to him as to the rest of us. He's just not sentimental in that way. But if he were resisting, I would tell him he owes me! :)</p>
<p>Yeah, his grandmother and aunt said they're driving down to attend. He so vehemently doesn't want to participate though, I guess it's giving me pause. When my older daughter graduated a couple years ago, it truly was just an assembly line affair. All the county high schools are scheduled, one right after the other, in the city convention center. You have precisely 1.5 hours, nobody is allowed to cheer or toss their mortarboards (they'll have their diploma pulled, and you'd have to go into school the next week to get it from Principal). Not a particular sentimental affair, believe me.</p>
<p>Well, that's just ridiculous. What a factory. (see my other post on CA schools). Ugh. Still, it generally means more to the families than to the kids usually. Your S should just suck it up and spend the 1.5 hours, get the obligatory photo with grandma and you and then he's done with it forever. I don't think it's that much to ask of a kid who you will probably be supporting in college.</p>
<p>The principal stands up there with a rod up her...eh... back, stating what a solomn occasion this is, and that everyone should conduct themselves with proper decorum. No clapping, no cheering, "ugh" is right!</p>
<p>people,
I am hearing the same thing from my d. She sees no point in walking across the stage. She is definitely not the sentimental type, but I think when she looks back on it, she will be glad she went through with it. She just doesn't buy my argument that it is a "right of passage" or "closure" etc. This is one thing, however, I am asking that she do for the family. We paid for the announcements, we paid for the cap and gown, and, after all, we will be paying to support her for the next four years!</p>
<p>Lexasmom, Interesting that we're both in NC! Perhaps it's a regional thing!</p>
<p>Hi Parents,
I don't have senioritis but I wish I did. I'm still in the running to finish high school with a 4.0 so even though I want to slack off so bad, that possibilty of keeping that GPA won't let me stop. And we don't even have valedictorians at our school! It's really stressful for me and I keep telling myself that the "possible" 4.0 isn't worth it, but...sigh.</p>
<p>i feel ya kraemer3434!!! same situation. graduation is a huge deal at my school. and even if i had senioritis i don't think i'd miss it anyways. i mean u only get to graduate from high school once. and why deprive family of that special moment even if u don't enjoy it. if my kid (sometime in the distant future) didn't want to walk, i'd say suck it up and smile for your grandparents!</p>