<p>I’m sorry for intruding on the parents forum, but I could not think of better people to ask this question to. I finished my freshman year at Caltech a few weeks ago. It was pretty successful all around: I placed out of the first year of math (only girl that I know of who did so–my dad was thrilled; I’m his only daughter and all three of my brothers hate math and science), took (and loved) organic chemistry, was one of three winners of a writing award for the best essay written for a frosh humanities course, settled into a lab and received funding for summer research, and pulled out a 4.3 in my only term so far on grades. That writing award came with a $500 prize, and I want to get my parents something nice to show my appreciation for everything they’ve done for me this year. I could not have accomplished any of it without their support. They also put up with all of my late night whining phone calls and typical juvenile 18-year-old behavior. I was a pain in the rear sometimes. I know my love and appreciation is decent repayment, but I also want to do something nice for them. Because honestly they deserve it.</p>
<p>You are one in a million! Print out what you just wrote, put it in a card, and give your parents a hug. I cannot think of a better present.</p>
<p>If you want to add to the card, you might put it on a dinner tray and serve them a great breakfast-in-bed this holiday weekend. Perhaps tell them you’re doing it so they don’t get up and have cereal before you get to treat them. </p>
<p>Something else that might delight them is if you ask them how to invest the $500 prize money so the money grows. Depending on your parents, they might enjoy seeing you make a mature decision about the prize money. </p>
<p>Or ask them to run over to a portrait studio, even simple like at Sears, to take a posed picture with you and them together. Maybe hold up the prize award if you wish. Frame the photo and give them a copy; take your copy off to college next year. A lot of parents are proud to think their kids would be “seen” with them, and perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve all 3 been in a picture together. So it’s a keepsake of this happy moment.</p>
<p>unusual techer behavior:bragging about oneself</p>
<p>How very thoughtful of you! I agree with the other posters; a heartfelt note from you will be treasured forever. And if the award money’s really burning a hole in your pocket, you might grab your brothers and head to a good photo studio… pose for a group pic and give your parents a nice framed 8x10.</p>
<p>@Batllo, surely you know the quote: It ain’t braggin’ if it’s the truth.</p>
<p>A card expressing your thoughts is the best gift you could ever give them. Serving it up with breakfast in bed, or making them a special dinner, would be a great way to present it.</p>
<p>Another idea: Attach the card to a little stuffed toy of your school mascot.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice. I will try to incorporate all suggestions when I go home. Can someone tell me how to delete the thread? I did not mean to brag, and I do not want it up if that is how it is interpreted. I just wanted to emphasize what I’ve been able to do with their help. I could never, ever have done it without them. I would have run away kicking and screaming the first time I got back a low score in physics. Or when I thought that I could never learn enough to pass organic. Or when lab was not going well and all I wanted to do was go home. Every time they gave me advice and never took any options off the table. Occasionally they told me to stop whining and start studying if I seemed to be spending more time complaining than trying to solve the problem. I still cannot believe how well the year went. I never thought I could do any of it. My parents always believed I could. I still worry that Tech will kill me; they believe it won’t. That faith means everything to me. That’s all I meant by it.</p>
<p>ha ha geekmom, we crossposted about the photos</p>
<p>Cross-posted.</p>
<p>When my son graduated from college, he wrote out a card thanking his father and me for all our support during his college years. It was greatly appreciated. In fact, it’s still hanging on the refrigerator a year later – I can’t bear to put it away.</p>
<p>Your thoughts – in written form – would be more welcome than any gift.</p>
<p>And I don’t think you were bragging. I didn’t interpret your post that way at all, and I don’t think most other people here did, either. Instead, I interpreted it the way I think you intended it – things went well, which is great, and you want to acknowledge that your parents’ support contributed to the good outcome. Nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>Batllo: You’re relatively new to the Parents Forum, and I think it takes some time to pick up the tone here. Often – as in this case and in the thread about my son’s medical issues that I started last night – we come here to solicit ideas from each other. This often works out very well. The people who post here have had a great variety of different life experiences, and they often suggest ideas that might not have occurred to the original poster. In my opinion, the OP could not have posed her question without explaining her situation – which required her to give some explicit details about her success. But I think hers was a legitimate request for ideas, not an excuse for bragging. That’s just my opinion, of course.</p>
<p>Marian- Thank you so very much for correcting me. I was mistaken in thinking the poster wanted some recognition since she posted specific details on this public forum.
OP- Apologies for assuming your need for attention by your fellow techers. With a little t.</p>
<p>OP - you sound delightful. A handwritten note would be beautiful and meaningful. I would be proud to have a child with such thought and concern!</p>
<p>My son, who will be starting college in the fall, thanked me at the dinner we had for father’s day (or my birthday, which were a couple of days apart). No card, just expressed real appreciation for all of the effort I’ve made over the years to help him be able to succeed. It was very nice. I like the idea of a card to express it: you could make the card for your parent’s anniversary.</p>
<p>I appreciate that you came to the Parent Cafe for advice on a family matter. That’s what we do here.</p>
<p>In our home we celebrate accomplishments large and small. Right now I’m looking at a trophy one kid got for winning a limbo contest. It’s the only trophy he ever won in his life for anything. For me to post about that here does not mean I’m bragging, even though I betcha every parent wishes their kid could win a limbo contest like mine did. 
</p>
<p>Parents celebrate their kids’ achievements differently than students who compete for the same things. I recall watching a kid graduate (not mine) who was showered with awards and felt embarassed to see them listed in the graduation program. Meanwhile, his own parents were collecting extra programs to pass around to their family, because they were proud of him. </p>
<p>LIsten to parents in a park and see how proud they are when their baby first touches a clenched fist purposefully to his/her face (on average at 3 months; the start of self-feeding instincts). Every developmental accomplishment is a cause for joy. Parents are also realizing their blessings because not every kid can coordinate their hands, or be flexible to join a limbo contest, or think clearly to win an academic kudo. Nobody takes these things for granted after having lived a while and seen other peoples’ struggles. To celebrate together as a family when something good comes along is to recognize blessings and take nothing for granted. In essence, that is humility. IMO.</p>
<p>I have mentioned this a few times, so sorry if I am repeating myself. Our older daughter made a printed photo album from Kodak with all of our family vacations and major events. It was titled Best of times. She wrote something very nice in the album thanking us for everything we have done for her. She gave it to us when she left for college. We have it on our coffee table and I’ll pick it up every time I miss her. Your parents may appreciate that. If you could afford it, maybe take them out for a dinner also.</p>
<p>I don’t think you are bragging. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Your parents must be very proud.</p>