Buzz Bishop: Daddy Buzz

Jun
19
2011

Kindergarten Graduation

Nothing to Celebrate

"I did it mama, I'm all done school now," said Amanda's son when he finished preschool last week. 

He wasn't just excited that school was done for summer; he thought he was done as Amanda's preschool had a full cap and gown ceremony for the 4-year olds who were getting ready to head home for the summer.

Facebook is peppered this week with comments from Moms squealing with glee as their 5-year old successfully completes the tasks of sharing, naptime and not wetting their pants.

Really?  Kindergarten graduation?!  Oh, but that's not all - there's pre-school grad, elementary grad, junior high grad and more.

Memo to parents and kids: you're not done until you're done. Sure you're graduating in the textbook definition of the phrase by moving on to the next level of education, but you're not done.

Want some evidence that we over coddle our kids?  Want to know one of the ways we're turning the next generation into one of the most selfish history will ever see?  Want to know how you are guilty of turning them into an over entitled lot?

Cap and gown for junior high, middle school, elementary school, kindergarten and preschool. It's happening.

Amanda's son has another 13-20 years of education ahead of him, but his mom is all proud her little boy is "done."

I get that it's cute to play dress up with your kids and to have fun with things, but don't you think we're over doing it? 

Makeover / spa birthday parties for 6-year olds.  Super sweet 16 parties where kids snuff their noses at new cars because it's "the wrong colour." Graduation celebrations more than a decade before necessary.

We parents are getting totally and completely sucked into the game.

"My oldest daughter is having a grade 8 graduation this Thursday," writes Charlene, "and she is pretty much treating it as a grade 12!! She had to have the dress, hair professionally done, corsage and limo too and a couple hours after with friends to drive downtown. She'll have a blast :)"

Really?  Is that necessary?

Let the kids be kids, save some stuff for when they're older. We're ruining them.

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