Ari2

I'd be interested in folks' opinions on this: My niece is graduating from high school next week. She will attend college in the fall. My sister is throwing her a graduation party with from 100-175 people invited (numbers vary by family member ). My father, who has strong opinions about anything related to childrearing, is appalled. My sister, obviously, thinks it's a great thing to do. What do you think?

Trina

This is a personal decision and varies for everyone. Neither DH or I got a graduation party for high school or college, but several of our friends did. I'm not sure what we'll do for our kids, but I lean toward celebrating whenever possible. LOL! All joking aside, I think a small celebration would be more appropriate, as I'd rather put the money toward college expenses, but to each is own. However, I'm certainly not appalled by such parties. How other people choose to celebrate and spend their money is none of my business.

Claire64

I agree with Trina about this. It is their choice whether they have the party or not and I don't really see anything wrong with it.

My son will be graduating next year and we will probably not be having a party. He says he wants to host a BBQ for the entire graduating class, so that will be enough of a celebration.

Teresa

For us, graduation parties are for family AND friends, so we always have at least that many people invited, as I come from a very large family. Therefore, I don't see a problem with it at all.

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HappyMomma

You only graduate High School once!

I say it's what the immediate family is comforable with doing.

Tell your father to quit being such a Grinch! LOL

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Ari2

He can't: He's been one for too long. I really like my dad as well as love him, but he definitely is a bit on the Grinchy side.

To my dad, this is a mix of spoiling a kid and making too much of what he considers a basic educational expectation. In my immediate family we never celebrated a high school graduation as it just wasn't seen as a big deal.

I have a better relationship with my dad than my sister (the mother of the graduate) does. When he brought it up to me again I basically said that he can think what he wants/needs but it wasn't any of his business: Not his kid, not his money, not his time. The "not his money" part in particular made him relax a bit. I just hope he keeps quiet when he and my mother stay with my sister's family during graduation weekend.

musicmom

Kaytee

I'm a party girl here too! I say if they can afford a party that size, then live it up!!

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mmynedshlp

I agree with everyone here. I hope its good expierence for the graduate too and granpa doesnt make it downer. Atleast give the kid a pat on the back and tell them great job. Not all kids make it now and school is way different now than when he went.
Shew its way different now than when i went and that was 12 years ago.

Ari2

As much as I agree with you and wish he would, there is no way he would ever say "great job" for graduating from high school, regardless of class rank or any other achievement. He just sees it as expected. (And, yep, it made my high school experience a boatload of fun, but that's a different thread. ) I can only hope he is grouchy the whole weekend. To repeat: I love and like my dad quite a bit. But that man can kill fun from 100 yards away.