<p>I am finally getting a chance to check in and read about all of the graduations, parties, anniversaries, etc. - congrats to all! - D’s graduation is not until the 27th, but I gotta get going on getting the party invites out. She wants it catered from Moes, and I am adding some vegetarian sides (thank goodness for couscous). At least I have until the Fourth of July weekend - a lot of the kids are having their parties before graduation since it is so late…</p>
<p>There are many bank choices for D, but only one has ATMs on campus, so I figured we will look at it when we drop her off and have her use a debit card for the first couple of weeks, when we go back for her first meet she will have hopefully figured it out.</p>
<p>Rochester Jazz Fest starts tomorrow - nine days of bliss for me, and D’s ensemble has a prime spot Saturday afternoon. Hope the weather cooperates!!</p>
<p>When you are paying the type of money college costs these days, it is not a good investment if your student isn’t motivated to perform. The standard of performance is a personal family matter.</p>
<p>We had issues with our son a couple of years ago. I had to tell him that if he really could not get his act together to do better than he was, it just was not worth our money and his time to go to college. I also told him that college is not for everyone at anytime, and it just may not be the right time for him. If he had things he would rather do, than he should be doing it, and that we would reserve what funds we could for college in the future, should he have a change in mind and heart. He wanted to give it another go, so we did pay for another term. He turned things around the next term. Had he not done so, he would have taken a leave, and had to support himself. It was not an easy thing for us to have the talk. We kept it without any sorrow, anger or frustration though I felt all of those emotions.</p>
<p>oh we have had that talk captain.
A few extenuating circumstances involved but yes the upshot is he had had <em>enough</em> with classes he was not interested in (ie those that are difficult for him).
We are still <em>discussing</em> whether a gap year is in order. He is a young graduate - just recently turned 17. There are lots of good reasons to delay. But chances are he/we will not and we’ll just see how the cards fall and reassess if need be. Without all the background, suffice it to say, the kid is brilliant in math and physics and very <em>underdeveloped</em> elsewhere. That is why it is a very good thing he is heading off to a school in which his talents will shine and his inabilities will not make a lot of difference (some difference - but not a lot - and then we are hoping that gaining maturity will be in his favor).
Late breaking news - S pulled out a few stops and completed more Spanish to end up with a B- instead of a C. English, well, that will still be a solid C. Definitely down from his B- of last term, but considering he got D in it last year, and the highest he has ever gotten in it is a C before last term, I guess, well, as Cpeltz would chant - it is what it is.
In some ways S has put forth Hurculean effort in a subject that is a supreme challenge, but in other ways he has just given up, and that is what concerns me more than the grade.
I wish I was as capable of having the <em>talk</em> without anger, sorrow or frustration. Mine always seem to include all 3. What an imperfect world…;-(</p>
<h1>theorymom, here’s hoping and praying that neither of our sons blow their chances for a great college experience.</h1>
<p>While Son was at work last night,* I *finally logged into his college webmail and sure enough there were several things that need to be attended to ASAP. He shows so little interest. On one hand, given that most Texas students are graduating the first week of June, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for the school to send out a bunch of emails on June 1st wanting things done. And I know kids need a rest when school is out. But Son’s lack of interest is of great concern. Of course, his entire school career thus far has been of great concern, so it’s nothing new. (It will just become a lot more expensive come August.)</p>
<p>TM- He is very young. sometimes I am amazed at what these kids do accomplish. My D bailed out into a couple of B’s I know that sounds stupid but it did have some consequences in the spring. I think and rightfully so they get sick of all the striving and having to perform to a certain level, and they question it whether concious or not. Plus their relatively young minds are not geared for failure/consequence. It’s that immature mind, that we say “what the …were you thinking?” As smart as they are they just don’t get it. You will prob need to make assessment over the summer. It is alot of money, if he has not learned his lesson. My D recently quoted JK Rowlings commencement speech quotation something about your biggest failure is someones else’s success. I am amazed at how well these kids do with all the competition out there.But then I think I am a pretty invested parent too, and I know that some of these kids are the real deal and some of them are fakes, and I know of both kinds. Anyway, thank God for your son’s math mind he will do great things.
furiously pulling a grad party together for my D , in the midst of a positve breast biopsy. My mind is in a total haze but I have great friends helping out. I also have some wonderful people pm ing me on another thread. I am proud of me for getting this done.</p>
<p>wanted to crawl into a hole. (this is not my first time either).</p>
<p>Done! Finally. D is asleep after the Grad Night event that some angelic local families keep going (even though their’s have fledged!) by masterful organization of us who volunteer energy. (I am in awe of those with Event Planner genes who clearly love to organize, direct and figure out how much food you need to feed 400 hungry teenagers AND how to keep them entertained safely overnight! ) I very happily go and do hard labor “set up” so I can see the local raquet club transformed with games and decorations. And the outdoor graduation was not way too hot or way too cold as it usually is. I feel very blessed and relieved to have crossed the finish line of all the events. But I have to host an office appreciation lunch in a few hours so I can’t relax yet. I did decide that I would just not give a fig what anyone thinks of my housekeeping or gardening this year. (gosh, maybe ever now that I’ve reached this decision) The kitchen will be clean enough, the deck will be swept and folks will have a good time which is what community is always about anyway. I am grateful for this CC community as we’ve plowed through the year to this grateful harvest of successes and completions!</p>
<p>I have a dear friend going through the breast cancer thing right now. My heart goes out to you downtoearth for a speedy treatment and recovery. As a cancer survivor myself, I know how hard it can be to deal with the pain the anger and loss on top of everything else. {{{{hugs}}}}</p>
<p>Graduation is tonight. The sun is shining and it looks like there will be an outside graduation ceremony for only the third time in 13 years!!! Will be cool but looking forward to it!</p>
<p>I need to remember my camera and kleenex! D2 insists on wearing the little one shoulder dress she bought for the ceremony she will be shivering under her robe…but what a good lesson to learn!;)</p>
<p>Yes, hugs and prayers to you, downtoearth…seems lilke with breast cancer, it’s not *if *but when. You’ll look back in a few years and wonder how you coped with everything at once.</p>
<p>My niece’s wedding was in central Minnesota at this time of year a couple of years back. The rehearsal dinner was on a party boat. What a wardrobe challenge that was…what to wear at a “summer” rehearsal dinner that is warm enough…we tried to find little wraps but still froze.</p>
<p>How ironic that my 1,000 th post should be on graduation day and this thread! Thanks to all who have passed on so much wisdom, advice and shared laughter, hair coloring tips and wonderful virtual drinks and desserts! ;)</p>
<p>Hey, I am now a senior member…but I knew that already and my real hair color would give me away anyhow!</p>