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When Did Graduation Become an Annual Event?
As May rolls around, my social media feeds fill up with posts from parents who seem to be wishing for time to slow down or maybe even reverse. You know the ones I mean—the parents who, just nine months ago, were celebrating the kids heading back to school with parties and hashtags like #thankgodforschool. Now, suddenly, they’re all sentimental, teary-eyed, reminiscing about how fast their little ones are growing up.
And who can fault them? Schools have picked up on this emotional wave, crafting elaborate graduation ceremonies for every grade imaginable. I mean, I’ve seen graduations for pre-K, kindergarten, first, second, and even fourth grade! Seriously? Many feature tiny caps and gowns, along with expensive photo packages to ensure you never forget this “big moment.” Because who wouldn’t want to shell out for an overpriced 8 x 10 of little Timmy in his kindergarten cap? If you dare to decline, prepare for a hefty “end-of-year” donation request to make up for your lack of enthusiasm.
Back in my day, the last day of school was just that—no fuss, no frills. If you could share appropriately and recognize some shapes, you passed and moved onto the next grade. There might’ve been a casual party in your classroom with some store-bought cookies and maybe a water balloon fight. There were no elaborate plans, and no parents were stressed about accommodating every dietary restriction under the sun. If you were lucky, you got a yearbook filled with awkward photos to sign, wishing your friends a “great summer,” with a heart or two thrown in for good measure.
So, how did we end up in this whirlwind of graduation celebrations? Is this just a symptom of the “everyone-gets-a-trophy” mentality? Will we keep trying to outdo ourselves for every milestone in our kids’ lives? I can’t help but wonder if all this fuss will somehow diminish the significance of future celebrations, leading us to send our kids to outer space for their high school graduations.
And before anyone thinks I’m a graduation grinch, let me clarify—I adore my kids, their school, and the teachers who have cared for them all year long. Honestly, I’m grateful for the chance to critique Facebook posts in my limited free time. Because, let’s be real, complaining about pre-K graduation ceremonies is a first-world problem. Plus, those mini-graduates are downright adorable, and maybe, just maybe, that 8 x 10 is worth it after all.
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In summary, the trend of annual graduation celebrations for every grade is a fascinating shift from the simpler school send-offs of the past. While it may seem overwhelming, it reflects our collective desire to celebrate our children’s achievements, even the small ones.