Parents behaving badly

[lastone03]

I found at our high school the parents talked about it on the sidelines and at social events…I always felt it was supportive and helpful. Everyone seems invested in this class and wants to know what they plan to do after graduation. I did not feel a need to keep his choices, ins, outs, and waitlists a secret -even now when we are waiting for him to make his choice…that is what I say - he is taking his time to accept and I am so proud of the way he handled this process. Granted most of the parents that I spoke with knew him and me very well…it was not random senior parents for the most part -but I felt like the class was all in this boat together and it was just a safe subject to talk about (I was never pumped for test scores or grades etc). I don’t think the kids talk about it nearly as much as the parents. But when the last few big decisions came in they were texting each other fairly quickly with results and support. My son walked into a basketball game the night he found out he was deferred from ND in December and all the kids that knew he applied offered him nothing by support and praise - including the ones that got rejected. It was amazing to witness their genuine support for each other. While we have been surprised with some of the outcomes (5 waitlists!) I am proud to say that our Senior community has been overall positive, supportive, and invested in each other as they make these decisions.

This was our experience. We all supported one another. My kids went to a competitive public high school where the majority of kids go to college. In May they post what kids will be doing post-graduation. The seniors create posters that not only show where college-bound kids will be headed, but also where non college bound kids are going (military, trade school, apprenticeships, and work). Our county even holds an Apprenticeship Signing Day, much like the ones they have for athletes. I’ve always felt if you make it a big deal, it becomes a big deal, whether that is what you intend or not.