<p>I just found out that I won a writing award at my university, and they have a formal ceremony/luncheon where they present the awards and give a presentation. My award notification says that I’m allowed to bring guests, and even though she’ll have to miss work for it, my mother insists on coming and bringing my grandmother.</p>
<p>Now, don’t get me wrong: I love my mother and my grandmother very much. However, is it the norm to bring a mother and grandmother to an awards ceremony? We’d we sitting with my professors and people in the department, and a part of me just feels weird about it all. I feel that this should be different than high school where your parents and loved ones get involved with your school accomplishments, but also, my grandmother is 89 years old and I don’t know if she’ll be able to see me graduate. This really makes me feel guilty for thinking about not wanting she or my mother to come.</p>
<p>Basically, should I have them come out to the ceremony? Is winning some kind of writing award even a big enough deal to bring family?</p>
<p>I’d appreciate any input because I’m hesitating for some reason.</p>
<p>Are you kidding? When (okay, if…) one of my kids wins a Nobel prize, you better believe that I (and the grandparents) are sure going to be there!! This has already been established… and for every award in between, too. You absolutely should have your family there. That is one of the most important functions of a family, to celebrate your accomplishments. Sure, might feel a little funny because your family doesn’t usually mix with your professors (I have quite a story about a time when my mom embarrassed me in front of someone important once when I was a young adult). But everyone understands, they have relatives, too. You should encourage them, proudly introduce them, and enjoy that they are there and care enough about you to attend. Congratulations!</p>
<p>Are you kidding? That’s why they allow you to bring guests! Any public awards you ever see has the winners thanking their family-often in the audience. They love you and want to support you-of COURSE they want to be there, and you should allow them. </p>
<p>Um… yes, they should come if they want. My parents would’ve been crushed if they weren’t included and they’re about the least helicoptery parents you could imagine. </p>
<p>You are your parent’s pride and joy. Let them share in the glory with you. </p>
<p>The point of having a ceremony and allowing you to bring guests is to have the people who care about you there, be that friends or family or mentors. No one will think it’s weird, and if your family wants to come, there’s no reason they shouldn’t.</p>
<p>Yes, it is very normal for parents and grandparents to attend awards ceremonies. You won’t be the on,y student with a parent with them…or a grandparent. </p>
<p>I was given an award when I was in undergrad, and my parents and grandparents came to the ceremony. The lady that told me about the ceremony was very excited for me and told me to bring them, so I did. They blended in well enough and it was a good time. And if memory serves, I was the only student there… there might have been one other one. Most of the people being honored were professionals my parents age, and I think some of their parents were there, too… it was fine!</p>
<p>I was given an award when I was in college “Outstanding SR Woman” from my U. It was at a ceremony that had to be driven to. My BF drove me and attended the meal. I was the only awarded that didn’t also have family in attendance, only BF. (My family live 2500 miles away and weren’t even considering flying in for thus or any of our graduations around the country.). It was nice to see how happy family members were to see their loved ones honored. Initially, I was a bit self-conscious NOT having any family present, but it was fine. Definitely was glad at least BF attended and supported me. </p>
<p>I’d definitely encourage you to be happy your mom and grandma want to attend. It’s a joyous celebration and they WANT to come. Enjoy!</p>
<p>Even college professors know you didn’t leap fully formed from Zeus’s head.</p>
<p>Invited guests means your family is not only invited but they hope they will come (and it’s normative).</p>
<p>My department holds an annual awards ceremony and one of the best things about it is that the parents and grandparents etc show up. We actually like meeting these people - these are our finest students, and we share in your family’s pride in your achievement.</p>
<p>My D won a writing award as an undergrad and also earned honors in writing as part of her degree. We loved the ceremonies and perhaps unlike other award ceremonies, these meant that the work was read for those in attendance. It was a very special experience. Definitely bring them along!</p>
<p>My son got a departmental award last year and just mentioned it to us a few days before the dinner. None of us realized that it was normal for parents to attend. He said he was one of the few whose parents were not there. </p>
<p>They said to bring guests. If it’s not your family, then who? Do you think your friends would really want to sit through an award ceremony? We go up for my kid’s dance recitals in college. Both of them love it when we could show up.</p>
<p>I received a senior honors award in college – unbeknownst to me, this LAC sent invitations to our parents, and when I walked in, there my parents were with my fiance. 30 years later, we still all remember that for how happy my mom was to be there – I felt a little awkward and “but this only lasted 30 minutes and you drove 3 hours” . There’s nothing nicer than for them to be introduced to a professor, and hear how wonderful you are. Congrats!</p>
<p>When D was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, we (and D’s younger sister) came up as a surprise. Her best friend (also being inducted) knew and I had corresponded with him prior to get his take on this. He gave us the thumbs up, and she seemed really happy. Of course, she and her best friend got a lovely dinner out of the deal, plenty of wonderful groceries (much better quality than typical starving college student fare), and a wonderful but short visit with her family, so there wasn’t much to be unhappy about. And we had the thrill of seeing our daughter recognized for her very hard work. Win-win. Also, when she graduated, we and all her grandparents flew in for the ceremony. Family is for both the good times and tough times! Don’t ever regret a moment you spend with them, as they won’t be here forever. You are making memories which will give you happiness someday when you can no longer be with them.</p>
<p>There were lots of parents at D’s PBK ceremony. It wasn’t even remotely “strange.” In fact, the auditorium was full of family/friends. Why would that be “strange”?</p>
You should encourage them, proudly introduce them, and enjoy that they are there and care enough about you to attend. Congratulations!</p>
</p>