Just wondered if anyone else is going through the phenomenon of the Grade 8 Graduation. My eldest daughter graduates tomorrow and I can't believe how much it is all costing, and we are "cheap" (apparently) in comparison to some of the others in her year!!

Dress $80
Dress shortening $47
Shoes $10 - a bargain at Walmart after trecking 2 malls and no shoes being suitable
Earrings, necklace and bag $32
Corsage $20 - ordered by my husband but am sure he could have got a better deal!!
Manicure and pedicure $35 + tip
Hair updo is going to be at least $45 + tip
Money to school for party after $30
After party following the party (!!) - don't know but guess we will be fleeced for something

Graduation trip to Washington DC approx $500 - luckily she has been babysitting so has saved her own spending money.

I can understand all the fuss when they leave high school but it all seems a bit much for Grade 8. Lets hope she looks gorgeous and has a great time, I guess I will be snivelling into my hanky at some stage during the proceedings.

Crikey, by the time we get to Canada those prices will have rocketed, plus i've got two girls so double whammy.

Still its only once so make the most of it shed a tear or two you deserve it

I can't believe that you have spent and will continue to spend what you have already. $80 for a kid's dress and $47 to shorten it? Why didn't just buy one that fit properly. Why does she need her hair done professionally? No curling iron at home?

As for the partying ... I would say a firm no to any party that required you to pay your way. This is not the Junior or Senior Prom.

I didn't spend that much for attendance at my daughter's wedding last September. Mom, I think it time for you and your daughter to have a heart to heart.

Congratulations to her on passing this milestone though.

It might be a wise precaution to start saving now so you can afford the breast augmentation surgery when she graduates from grade twelve.

My son had his grade 8 graduation 2 years ago and luckily his brothers suit fit him but still needed to but the corsage for his date and pay for the after party.The graduation service was so nice and i was in tears when he brought me a flower all the kids did this to their parents.It was the first time i had been involved with anything like this and i will never forget it.

I'm feeling like a bad parent now

My son has his "grade 9 graduation" last week, and I didn't even go!! I was working, and the "ceremony" was in the afternoon, and I wasn't even aware of it til a day or two before.

He did change out of his jeans into his old UK school trousers as he said they were supposed to be smart, but apart from that he really played it down, and said what's the point of a grade 9 graduation...... it's not as if you can fail!

I read him your post and he is still picking his jaw up off the floor! "Insane" was his comment.

At theirs, he says one person wore a tux, and one person had a stretched limo to go to the dance. Some of the girls "did their hair" but he denies any ballgowns or evidence of manicures or pedicures. That's boys for you

Is this the difference between Alberta and Ontario, or is my son just playing the whole thing down cos he's from the UK?

Grade 8 grad stuff was several hundred dollars for each of my daughters, even the one who went in Docs and a mini-dress had her hair and make up done professionally. High school graduation was a whole league beyond that.

Yep! I'm joining this discussion.....
We have been here now for 7 weeks and my 14 year old son has his graduation do on Thursday.$280 for a suit/shirt and tie, $20 for shoes (thanks Walmart),$40 for 'bling' and $120 for Mum's suit as my stuff is still in storage! Forgot to mention the grad. trip to Montreal next week that cost $520 excl. spending money! His teacher suggested that I don't give him cash to take for spending money and instead to get him a debit card attached to my bank account. Is she on drugs??!!
He doesn't even want to have the first dance with me in case I show him up - thanks son!
Perhaps I will break into my 'Greased Lightening' routinue half-way through-only kidding!!

Hmmm, my son is having his graduation from Senior Kindergarten on Thursday. It cost $57 for photos of him in cap/gown holding a diploma, we'll be attending the "graduation ceremony" which includes dancing and singing (he's been practising the "Macarena" for weeks) and he's only 5 YEARS OLD! But hey, he's excited, and I'm looking forward to it...

:scared: :scared: :scared: I ALSO HAVE A SIX YEAR OLD LEAVING SENIOR KINDERGARDEN THIS SCHOOL YEAR - PLEASE DON'T TELL ME HE NEEDS A SUIT AND 'BLING' TOO!!!!!!!

So, I am still left wondering .... is this an Ontario phenomenon? Or did I really miss something special?????

I'm guessing its just those ponces from the east.

I'm sitting here trying to remember my Jr High grad. I know it took place in Calgary. I vaguely remember a ceremony in the afternoon and I certainly don't remember my parents being there ... but that's about it. There could have been an evening gig but there were many throughout the year and not one stands out as more of a big deal than any of the others.

Yeah but come on your whole life fades into one long drug fueled haze.

Sorry, but no - we did the whole grade 12 thing with our boys - Champers in the stretched Limo on the way to the formal Banquet/Dance in the evening, ceremonies in the morning at posh downtown hotel.

Just getting organised for daughters grade eight grad this week! It's pretty much like the others are saying (though I think it's a bit much for grade eight) Money, money, money!