<p>Everybody feels enthusiastic about graduation; I’m not, what is wrong with me?
I went to order balloons with the school colors and I cried. Looking at my wardrobe for something to wear on graduation day made me cry. Buying a new memory card so I won’t be short of shots that day, made me cried a little more. What is wrong with me?
After 14 years of schooling days with my two children, the day to say “the job is done” comes closer, I can’t go back in time and I can’t waste that precious moment feeling this way
what can I do to cheer me up?</p>
<p>I’m feeling the same way, Cressmom. Looking for helpful tips as well. It feels something like a “forced retirement!” Keep looking around these boards. I know there are some similar threads dealing with the emotional side of this for parents. It helps to read them, I find. Good luck!</p>
<p>This happened to me too, and, I started a thread, because it seemed so illogical. I can’t quite explain it but the sadness somehow magically disappears once you’re in the graduation ceremony. I don’t know what happens but it just goes away, and then you start to get excited about what’s coming next for both parties for yourself, as well as the new graduate.</p>
<p>It’s a horrible feeling in the days before - awful, really. Thankfully it doesn’t seem to last long.</p>
<p>I’m going to miss my D when she goes away. And I still miss my boys. But I wouldn’t change anything! Perhaps it’s because HS was such a pain, that all we feel is relief. </p>
<p>My mom told me once, when I was flying to somewhere, that it is much easier to be the one going than to be the one left. The one going has so much to look forward to - all anticipation. The one left is grieving for things (people, time, events) past.</p>
<p>So I recommend finding some things to anticipate! People keep asking me “What are you going to do now that you’re all by yourself?” And I answer, “Anything I want.”</p>
<p>My only child is graduating from HS this week. I’m hoping I can hold it all together and not embarrass him too much, but I think I’ll probably cry when “Pomp and Circumstance” is played 
</p>
<p>Bill Clinton’s late mother Virginia Kelley wrote something about his HS graduation in her autobiography which I found touching:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0671522957/ref=sib_dp_srch_pop/102-8744936-4142541?v=search-inside&keywords=gown&go.x=12&go.y=14&go=Go!#[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0671522957/ref=sib_dp_srch_pop/102-8744936-4142541?v=search-inside&keywords=gown&go.x=12&go.y=14&go=Go!#</a></p>
<p>click on Page 186</p>
<p>Also bittersweet tears here, but for me it’s my one and only. I can’t believe 13 years has gone by and is now over. Geez, wasn’t it just last year she was in kindergarten? I’ve spent much of the last 2 weeks shopping for something to wear to Baccalureate Mass and graduation (nothing wild, something dignified and not showing too much skin…puhleaze, these are Catholics!) Today, I finally found a dress that fits me, I already have shoes, so that job is done. Other than buying blue and red balloons to put outside the house on Tuesday and Wednesday and trying to decide where to have dinner with the extended family after graduation, it’s all done, finished, finto.</p>
<p>Just remember, kiddos, our jobs not done yet! We still need to move them in to their dorms, listen to their problems when the get there, give them advice about what courses to take and feed them wonderful meals over school breaks. It ain’t over yet!</p>
<p>I have the weird, mind-splitting experience of having my oldest “child” graduate from graduate school this year and start working the same year that my youngest S is graduating from h.s. and starting college. I agree with SpringfieldMom, and can only imagine what it must be like, janejersey, to see your one and only beloved child go off to college. I have a sister-in-law who is saying goodbye to both of her children this August, both at the same time–they’re twins! At least I had one still around for a few years when the first one went. I took so much comfort from that. But this year, it’s empty nest time for us, and I know I’m going to need to get my act together! My H does not feel these emotions nearly as much or as strongly (or, I should say, he’s looking forward to the change in our lives much more than I am).</p>
<p>You are not done, though, as I have at least learned from my experience so far with our older S. Parenting changes, but it lasts a lifetime! ;)</p>
<p>I was just out shopping and saw a t-shirt with my S2’s high school logo on it.
He plays varsity football so I was thinking it would be great for the games.</p>
<p>Then it hit me that he will be a senior this year so I only have one season left to cheer for him at his football games (been playing since age 11) and so prob. really didn’t need to buy the shirt ( I already have a couple at home). </p>
<p>I put it back on the rack and walked away with a weird feeling.</p>
<p>It is a weird feeling, PackMom. For my D’s graduation party, I was lamenting not having had time to get any school color items (plates, napkins, etc) for the party. My D interrupted, and said those aren’t her school colors anymore; red and white are (Miami-Ohio). I did have some red and white balloons, so we blew those up and tied them around! But it does seem funny to think the HS colors don’t apply to us anymore. Not bad; just odd.</p>
<p>It’s really a lot of fun, though, post-graduation, interacting with the new, interesting adult. In my thread one of the Dads wrote to me a post along the lines of “…the phone rings and the next thing you know, you’re back in the parenting business again…” and in just a couple of short weeks I have discovered he was so right! Mine is in a totally different part of the country, working, and the cute little goof either forgot or didn’t know that her tier one bank has no footprint there, so, she had her first pay check and no way to deposit it, and like a dollar left in her purse (whoops), so she has called for advice on banking stuff, and other things…so… the parenting part seems to continue, but, happily. MINUS all the stresses I always felt (but kept to myself) - those worries along the lines of will she ace the class? score well on the finals? choose the right coursework? get her books o.k.? maintain the scholarships? win the awards? win the races? get nominated for that other thing? - all those stresses are gone, because school is done and the diplomas issued, and what is left is a lot of communication, phone calls, emails, all the new, interesting experiences she’s having as she begins her life’s work. It’s really fun, all the communication now seems to be on a peer, “best friends” level, vs. the daughter/student accountable to the bill-paying, resource-managing, nail-biting parent (even though I still have her back financially), and so there’s really a LOT to look forward to, I think…this stage appears to be a LOT more interesting and loads more fun…</p>
<p>My theory of it all is that for so many years, our lives have been controlled by the elementary/middle school/high school calendar.Then all of a sudden,its not anymore.If its your last kid in your school district,all of a sudden,you are out of the loop.No more PTA,no more newsletters…its like you’ve been set adrift.It takes some getting used to.
You’ll never be as involved in their every day minute to minute lives again,its just not the same with college kids.
For example,my older D is a flute player.For years,I heard her practice daily for hours.When she left for college,no more flute playing in the house.It was just plain strange for awhile,the routine was just so ingrained in the household.And all the activities you’ve shlepped them to,stood around at,cheered for,fundraised for…that’s all over too.You’ll have so much more free time,and you’ll need to relearn how to fill up the time…but at first,it feels really strange.
But…it gets better,alot better.</p>
<p>S2 is currently in the livingroom doing drills on his horn, while D is in her room practicing violin. S2 came to me to apologize for needing to do more exericises, and I said, are you kidding? I’m loving it! When S1 was home, it was even better! Add in a guitar or piano in another corner of the house. S2 is only home till Friday, and the house will get a lot quieter. Not to mention next fall.</p>
<p>I just thought of something. I am going to return to teaching piano in the fall – but it will be the first time I’ve taught without my own kids in the house to holler to for help when I’m stuck with a fingering or theory or interpretation question! We’ve really been team teaching all these years. Can I do it alone? Oh well, I’ll think about that tomorrow.</p>
<p>I noticed that although we didn’t “live” by the local school district calendar any more for our older S, we still planned things by his college calendar! :)</p>
<p>Even though it will feel weird not having one in high sch. after next year, it will be a good weird for us. High sch. was a breeze for S1 but has been a roller coaster for S2 and honestly we will be relieved when he graduates. We’ll just really miss the football!</p>