Ash UK/US

A couple days ago Gretchen Whitmer (AKA to Trump as "that woman from Michigan") closed the school buildings for the rest of the year.Now, they are planning to set something up for online schooling, however before they closed schools on March 12th (before it got extended to the rest of the year) by the time my kids go back after the summer they will have been out of school for 6 months!!!

I do feel sorry for the seniors, I feel they will gypped out of a right of passage, even for the 8th graders (my youngest is in 8th grade) they will miss out on middle school graduation and their over night trip to Mackinaw. I know this is all for the greater good but for these kids, esp the seniors, it is a once in a life time opportunity.

robin1234

The seniors, and the Middle School “graduates”, will soon get over it. It’s just a manufactured event, like St. Patrick’s day, a wedding, or a “baby shower.” A way to spend money, sell hallmark cards, get drunk etc. When I left school in England, one day I went to school, the next day I didn’t. Absolutely no ceremony about it, and it didn’t bother me.

Surely, everyone in the US assumed weeks ago, k-12 and college, that there’d be no more school till the 2020-2021 school year, didn’t they? (Except Liberty University!)

Ash UK/US

I see what you are saying however my younger daughter is in 8th grade she watched her older sister get an 8th grade graduation (both my girls are honor roll students) her sister got to celebrate that,she got to dress up, the school threw a party, there was 8th grade grad pictures, flowers and balloon bouquets. I may do the pictures, flowers and balloons just to make all things equal from a parental standpoint but I am sure, even so, it will not be the same

moneypenny20

This. I realise it probably dripped down from the US but when did all this graduating nonsense happen? It was an end of Uni only thing and now everyone has multiple 'Graduation' events in their education lifetime. Just odd.

spouse of scouse

The disappointment for your daughter is real and as parents we don't like to see our kids disappointed. But honestly Ash, I'm hoping that the multiple disappointments and restrictions on younger people at present will help them build some resilience for the future.

One of the scariest things for me during this whole mess is seeing how some (certainly not all) people in their 20s and 30s have completely fallen to pieces because they've had to change their plans and they have no idea how to deal with it. It isn't even so much a feet stamping thing, it's as though they genuinely can't reconcile being denied opportunities when previously all they had to do was express a wish or idea, plan it and then do it. It's come as a huge shock to some and that is down to a lack of resilience and adaptability. Disappointments, although shitty at the time, really can teach us something.

Maste

Meanwhile, my wife and I are mid - late 20's, and we aren't disappointed. Mostly because our parents bought us up to accept them and expect them. For example, if I never made the starting XI for footy (soccer), my parents would never complain to the coach. If I complained, they'd say 'either shut up, or do something about it then!' haha. But yes, I know so many people and friends my age who are complaining and 'not coping', which is sad. I mean, this is nothing. Stay at home, find different things or different ways of doing what you enjoy....

Rete

Ash's daughters are in school in the US and in the US we celebrate milestone graduations in a big way. There is nothing odd to those who live here in this culture.

Our schools down in MS were closed for the year many years ago as were the schools in NY. The children have been attending 'classes' online since March 20th here. The schools even provide the Chromebooks for those that need them.

Planning a small family celebration for your 8th grade sounds like the way to go. Perhaps you can set up a skype or facetime with some of her classmates/friends and have a young persons online party. Everyone dresses up; all houses have balloons; a small cake; etc. Include the grandparents, as well.

moneypenny20

I know, I was responding to Robin.

Rete

I know, MP. My response was to you both as the multi-quote function does not work for me.

scrubbedexpat091

When I was in school from 1985 to 1997 in California the only graduation was high school, I didn't have elementary or middle school graduation, and I didn't even attend my high school one, screw sitting in the hot June sun for 2 hours listening to 400+ names, not my cup of tea.

My sisters kids seem to have one for elementary school, middle school and high school though.

Schools where my dad is in California have closed for the year, extended spring break as they work on distance learning programs for students to learn from home.

moneypenny20

I've seen photos on FB showing kindy kids with cardboard mortar boards 'graduating'. Absolutely dumb. What next, parties for toddlers graduating toilet training????

scrubbedexpat091

May as well start graduation at birth, congrats on graduating from the womb to the world.

I do not recall much from my kindergarten days, but I do not recall any type of graduation and there are no photos of my childhood to indicate there was, so I am going with there wasn't one.

Rete

Being an oldster born in 1948, when I graduated from 8th grade at a Catholic school, we had gowns and caps and a fancy dinner after with family and friends. Next graduation was high school in 1966 with cap and gown and party. I didn't attend my college graduation ceremony.

Youngest daughter had childcare graduation back in the 70's. It was a cute little ceremony and we went to brunch (as we would have done anyway) afterward.

Personally, I love the celebration of these little milestones for kids. Can't see the harm in them but can clearly see the joy and pride on the child's face and that is worth it all.

excpomea

I'm of the same mind, but my wife is pretty upset. Our son is soon to graduate from University. She thinks he's going to miss out on the whole experience.
He couldn't give a crap. Save the $$$ and buy him a new car.

petitefrancaise

Our schools in Austin are closed "indefinitely" and have switched to online learning.
My youngest is a HS Senior, she won't be having her senior prom, her graduation and all those other nice end of school events that her siblings had and it's really sad. I agree with Rete, celebrate all those milestones, take all the pictures and make as many memories as you can.