Disclaimer: I don’t have kids, and my opinion on this topic might likely upset you. It is your prerogative to continue to read. This is my opinion.
Now that prom season is over, I’ve come to some realizations. For one, things are a LOT different than in my day in terms of what is considered to be classy. Also, parents are spending an exorbitant amount on prom wear, and traditions are changing to some degree. My timelines were full of magnificent displays of pageantry showing beautiful gowns with prom goers pictured in a variety of places from the Arkansas State Capitol to the Clinton Presidential Center and in a lot of cases these scenes were captured by a professional photographer.
An educator friend shared this on a recent blog entry: “This {prom} sometimes is unfortunately the penultimate celebration for some. Their kids are entering the workforce and all too often there is no outlook that includes marriage and the like. Also, these kids are strong in their individuality and like individual experiences.”
Her statement drives the point home that we might need to change our focus and more emphasis should be placed on what happens after graduation. When I was 17, graduation was the apex of my high school experience. I remember getting my cap and gown and being so excited. I’ve talked to parents who have shared that when it comes to commencement, their kids can take it or leave it.
Is it because by the time they graduate, they’ve already “graduated” many times already? Why are we celebrating moving from Pre-K to kindergarten, from kindergarten to middle school, then middle school to high school? This is expected! I’ll admit that it’s downright precious to see your littles in their tiny caps and gowns, but I don’t blame them for being over it by the time high school graduation comes around. While you’re spending so much money on each of these experiences, are you telling little Jack and Diane that you expect them to keep up their grades and be good citizens, or are we just getting caught up in posting pictures on social media?
I understand that college isn’t for everyone. My brothers elected to go into the military and that was the best choice for them, while my sister and I chose the college route. Mom told us we had to get an education and that was the expectation. My parents spent a grip on clothes for us, but they spent even more on tutors if we needed it. If you’re investing more on lashes, hair, phones and expensive cars, and your child can’t read or write, we might be focused on the wrong things. Even if your child is a genius, it’s not worth going broke trying to keep up with others.
By no means am I telling you how to spend your money, so if that’s your takeaway, your nose is out of joint about the wrong thing. I know: easy for me to say. As I’m reminded by many of you, parenting is hard.
#ksmithsays
ksmithsays 