Graduation Thoughts

Since I can't say how I really feel on Friday night for Grace's graduation, I will say it here. And I am probably being selfish, but feelings are feelings. The fact that we are even having a 'formal' informal graduation ceremony means absolutely nothing to me. But it does mean something to others so we go on. Family and outsiders just don't get homeschooling and the personalization it brings to education. Grace's education for the 1st 6 years was me and her, for the middle six, it was me and her vs the public school system (i was stupid, I didn't know better - but that's another story) and for the last six years it has always been just me and her - no daddy helping (he doesn't like school), no grandparent help but some support, one didn't agree (dad) and the other was supportive (thanks mom, you were great). My solice was in our homeschool support group. In them, I found like minded parents who wanted the say in how and what their kids were taught. Bravo to them. So back to graduation night. Somehow Grace got talked into having a graduation ceremony with another girl who was graduating from a private christian school. I told my family how I felt and that I was staying out of it. Grace's education was me and her, her 'graduation' from homeschool should have been me and her as well. Grace's homeschool experience was a personal trip that the two of us took together and it was fitting that she and I share her graduation just the two of us, but others thought she NEEDED the ceremony and 'diploma' to make it official so reluctanlty I relented. So family and friends, this grads for you. There is more to graduating high school than ceremonies and diplomas. It's personal between the children and parents involved, or at least it should be.