Yet another Kindergarten graduation ceremony

Yes. It is that time of year when we all celebrate our children's accomplishments in school. Both of my children regularly exceed my expectations in most areas of their life and receive my praise. With that being said, do I subject my husband and son to another preschool graduation ceremony for my daughter?

My daughter will be graduating from kindergarten this week; we will have to arrange kindergarten graduation gowns too. She missed the cut-off for elementary; as a result she will graduate from kindergarten again. Last year we made a big affair out of her graduation. We also arranged for kindergarten graduation gowns, which are torn out now. This year things are different and I am considering attending the event without my husband and son. Is that unfair to my daughter? Of course I can answer both yes and no to that question.

In fact, one day I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter brought home her artwork. Using brown, green and yellow construction paper, she made a coconut tree. Using a newspaper or magazine, she cut out the letters in her name and glued them at the bottom of the coconut tree. What a fabulous activity! She also drew kindergarten graduation gowns on the paper and colored it right.

When I was in school we did not celebrate graduating from each class. We did not wear kindergarten graduation gowns even. In fact, it was expected from me as well as all A's and perfect attendance (that's another topic). My family and I would go to Smile's for ice cream to celebrate the last day of school - that's it. So do I ask my husband to take a day off and pull my son out of school to watch her graduate again; or, do I attend the ceremony and make it a special day for her and me? And see her in kindergarten graduation gowns again.

Another thing to consider is that other children will have both parents and that may make my daughter feel different, possibly less special. I know that is not the case but reality and her perception may not be the same. Sadistically I do believe in depriving my children to a certain extent. I want them to experience disappointment just enough that when it comes their way they can accept it without a major meltdown.

So, back to my dilemma, what should I do about another graduation? Should I go to attend the kindergarten graduation ceremony or make the vacation day enjoyable through some other way. I don't think there is necessarily a wrong answer, but I chose to pull my son out of school and he and I attended the ceremony - my husband went to work as we decided a better use of his vacation day, we would plan to spend it at the beach.