Help! Dd is graduating this weekend. We found out that the parents are suppose

[MJN]

to say something for 2-3 minutes at the graduation. It's been YEARS since we have gone to a graduation. What do parents say?!?!? Please help spur my creative thinking. My brain cells are exhausted, we have out of town company, a cookout to prepare for, the to do list is ever growing and this mama is stressed. I need help.

Thank you!!!!

[RoughCollie]

If the graduation is alphabetical, chances are the parents will speak in alphabetical order. If you are lucky enough not to be among the first 10 last names, just listen to what everyone else says and improvise. Two to three minutes isn't very long.

If need be, you can ask your DD what she wants you to say. Actually, my kids would tell me what they don't want me to say.

[Peek a Boo]

after watching a homeschool graduation last year w/ about 20 graduates, ds made me promise to NOT start any graduation speech w/ "when you were born....." LOL!

so whatever you do, avoid the whole birth thing. unless you wanna sound like everyone else! ;)

I've been thinking about this a lot since then. I plan on choosing one or two positive heroic-in-character moments that ds has exhibited, and telling him that now that we kNOW what he is capable of character-wise, we expect no less :D Heavy on the "we will support you no matter what career you end up in." Scripture will likely be a part, and maybe a rhyming couplet or short stanza. Definitely a joke. he loves jokes :) Don't forget to praise your spouse! As a model that your dc will be considering, hearing that praise is important. That came across really well in graduation speeches.

[MJN]

:001_smile:

[NHDeb]

You might find a scripture or poem or song to draw from... or try writing a letter to your daughter that expresses your heart - what you are proud of in her (character, etc.) and your honest, heart-felt hopes for her choices of her future - emphasizing your trust that she will make wise, God-honoring choices... etc.
((HUGS))
What an accomplishment for YOU to have reached this point! Yay Mom & Dad!:)

[ticklbee]

What a great opportunity you have! Just stop and think for a little while about what makes your dd so special. What is it about her that you appreciate? How has knowing her made a difference in your life? I think my problem would be keeping it at only 3 minutes. :)

[Carol in Cal.]

I hoped that you would growth in wisdom, and in knowlege, and in favor with God and man. During the last 10 years I have watched, amazed, as you have surpassed my wildest hopes and dreams for you. You are so much more than I could ever have imagined, and I love you more and more each year.

As you are moving into an even wider world, I know that you are ready for the next challenges, and know that you truly can make a difference. I am so proud of you, and can't wait to see what happens next!

(Anyway, if my DD were graduating, this is what I would say. She is finishing 6th grade this year, and I have been thinking about this a lot.)

[lovemyboys]

I hoped that you would growth in wisdom, and in knowlege, and in favor with God and man. During the last 10 years I have watched, amazed, as you have surpassed my wildest hopes and dreams for you. You are so much more than I could ever have imagined, and I love you more and more each year.

As you are moving into an even wider world, I know that you are ready for the next challenges, and know that you truly can make a difference. I am so proud of you, and can't wait to see what happens next!

Some are very heartfelt and beautiful, a few told funny stories, some just say what a privilege it's been to homeschool and how proud they are of their child, a couple said "ds/dd asked us not to say anything!"

Since you have the opportunity to make it a memorable moment for all of you, I would think of something significant to you and your student -- how you've watched this child take on a cool project in the past year and make it her own, a verse of scripture that helped you through, how you had to do every experiment twice, that the nature journals that you started with your kindergartner now take up a whole shelf, how you've watched his heart grow through his volunteer work -- you know, something that's interesting and unique that you share because you've homeschooled and that was part of your journey together.

But if you draw a blank and just say, "hey, I had a great student," that's okay too. If it were a traditional school, the faculty is on the stage, so you're the faculty -- I think it's a nice acknowledgement of your part. Enjoy your day!