Very shortly I will be the father of a high school graduate. That doesn’t seem possible. It seems like last month
that I was trying to find a way to get my upturned polo shirt collar and skinny tie to show over the top of my graduation gown, and placing my mortar board on my finely coiffed mullet… (ok, I never really looked like that, but it seemed as if all my classmates did. Funny that look hasn’t come back in yet….)
Some different thoughts hit you when your kids graduate. Because in some ways it’s
your graduation as well as theirs. As a parent you realize that the bulk of your parenting is behind you, and your cherished little one isn’t little anymore, and is going off to start taking on the world for himself (or in my case, herself).
And suddenly there’s a tidal wave of questions crashing down on you: Have I done a good enough job as a parent? Have I set a good example? Will my kids remain faithful? Are they ready to stand on their own? Have the mistakes I’ve made scarred them for life?… When she’s gone who’s going to show me funny videos and memes until we’re both doubled over with laughter? Who’s going to roll her eyes and say, “You’re weird” every time I make a goofy joke? Who’s going to argue with me over which
Parent Trap movie is better? (Lindsey Lohan over Hayley Mills? Get help! … no, seriously—get help.…
) Who’s going to bat her eyes and say, “I love you daddy” every time she wants something?
Seeing your kids graduate and go off to school or work is bittersweet. You miss them, but you’re glad you miss them because it means you enjoy having them around when they’re there—and if you miss them it means they haven’t come back home to live with you forever! And that’s the way it’s supposed to be. So congratulations to the class of 2016—students AND parents. Happy graduation!