Graduated
The Boy graduated from high school! Our first born is almost a man. I remember when the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2008 seemed very, very far into the future. Now, it’s nothing but a memory. I’m sure that this summer will go even more quickly than summers past and then he will be off to college and things will never be quite the same. He didn’t have a graduation party, opting instead to go to the “big” parties hosted by his classmates. Graduation didn’t really seem like the end. He’s doing the same things now as he did last summer. Things won’t be that much different until he leaves for college at the end of the summer.
His mother and I are struggling trying to decide what to give him for a combined graduation and birthday gift. His 18th birthday is later this month so we plan to give him one larger more expensive gift. The only thing that he has asked for is a laptop computer; but that doesn’t strike us as much of a gift since he and us both know that he “needs” one for college and we were planning to get him one before the end of the summer anyway. If you have any ideas we’d love to hear them.
There are only 100 or so days left as a “party of four”. We’re hoping that this summer will be one of those best ever times that we remember forever.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Buy your son a good wrist watch. That’s what we bought for our boy when he graduated from High School.
They grow up so fast, eh?
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I have no clue as to how I got a frowning icon applied to my previous comment. Any ideas? Weird!
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:42 am
Rob: Unfortunately, he’s already got a nice watch that we got him for Christmas several years ago that he really likes. So, a new one might not even be as special as his current “fancy wristwatch”. And they do grow up fast. It seems like just yesterday that he was starting his first day of high school.
If you don’t have an avatar, the icons are randomly generated from a one way hash of your email address. So it should be the same on every comment for every blog that uses the Gravatar service.
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
What about passes to the amusment park like I suggested a few months back? My fiancee and I are going to both Kings Island and Cedar Point. Lol in less than a week, we also will be married and in Ohio XD.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Congratulations on the Graduation. To him of course for his achievement, but also to you both who will have done a lot to get him through to this stage. Enjoy every moment, as you say, it all goes so quickly.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Congratulations to The Boy! Well, I was going to watch too til I saw the comments. Does he have any kind of hobby where he likes to collect things?
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I know every family has different traditions for “normal” priced gifts so I’m not really sure how much you are planning to spend, but here are a few ideas of varying costs:
1- Digital video camera or Digital SLR or Digital Point-and-shoot: I’m biased, but I’m the kind of person who never cares nearly as much about the souveniers from a trip as I do about my photos. If that is at all like your son he might want some fancy new method of capturing memories. He’ll have a lot of lasts this summer and a lot of firsts next year, and if he is at all interested in this type of stuff he might really love it.
2- A new bike if he needs one– very helpful both for getting to class and keeping off the frosh 15 (or 20?)
3- A new instrument if he is at all musically inclined– guitar, bass, drums, etc.
Ok thats all I got…. a bit hard to guess when you don’t know the kid
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I got a watch
Would it be possible to take some sort of special family trip? Maybe to do something he’s always wanted to go do. Can’t put a price on memories - quite a lasting keepsake.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I know how you have been dreading this change in the family. And yet prepared him to be a strong and independant person. That is your great gife to him, to both the kids. I’ve no great idea for a better present. My special little guy turns 9 on Sunday and he still wants Star Wars things.
June 5th, 2008 at 3:08 am
Sarah: We did raise that as a suggestion; but he’s wasn’t super enthusiastic. We used to have season passes so it’s not “new and exciting”. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I wish you and your husband to be many, many years of happiness together.
Lapis Ruber: It was a struggle at times. But high school was “easy” compared to what lies ahead. He seems like he’s doing a good job of enjoying his summer so far. Unfortunately, I’ve been working too much. I come home every day; but I still “miss” my family.
Chickie: you should see his room. He keeps/collects everything. But his primary hobby is the computer. We are defiantly going to get him a personalized laptop when the time comes, probably in one of the exotic new colors.
Always Curious: I like the idea of a digital camera. He won’t be able to borrow ours or his sister’s when he’s away in college. The campus he’s attending is compact and you can walk everywhere so a bike wouldn’t be that useful. He doesn’t play music much any more, band in high school conflicted with sports so he stopped playing. He would probably still be playing if the band director didn’t think music should be at the center of the universe for everyone. Thanks for your suggestions!
Michelle: He likes home. He’s keenly aware that he doesn’t have that much longer here; so he’s really making a point of maximizing enjoyment of our home. I don’t mention it much her but this is our “dream home” and the kids got to help design it. Some things (like the colors in his bathroom) are a little quirky since they were 11 and 9 when we had it built but it’s OURS. I like the idea of a gift like a watch that he can keep forever. I just don’t know quite what. I’d get him an iPhone if they worked with our service provider.
Rosie: You are right, I am dreading the change. He’ll be fine, I’m sure but we’ll still worry about him. He’s been around for the past 18 years so it will be strange without him.
June 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Congrats on getting the boy out of High School. Hopefully, he’ll do well in college too!
What about a GPS system?
June 6th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
As the parent of a 17 yr old (graduation ‘09), I would suggest a family trip. Pick somewhere he would like to go. It will be a chance to have some unstructured time before college years.
June 8th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Mr. Manic Depressive: Thanks. He won’t be driving in college, In fact, I’m not sure that freshman are allowed to have card on campus; and in any case it’s a “walking campus”. But, that gives me an Idea. I’ve got a GPS watch that I use when I go running that he’s borrowed several times. He might like the smaller, sleeker model that just came out. It’s got a touch screen bezel and, unlike the unit that I have, is the same size as a regular sports watch.
Mae: I think that he would appreciate doing something with his family one last time. We’ve got some “challenges” that will probably keep us in town for the near future but, the later part of July is a possibility. He really enjoys unstructured time, especially since he is so studious and disciplined with sports and athletics.
June 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Don’t buy him things. Instead, for a gift, if you can, send him or go with him overseas. Even one or two weeks abroad can change your point of view for a lifetime although the entire summer is better. English speaking Canada doesn’t count as overseas, but French speaking Canada does as does any country in Europe, Asia, South America, or Africa although you might want to stay away from countries in Africa where Muslims are in the habit of kidnapping Americans and foreign oil workers. If you go to Europe, buy a rail pass or ride bikes all over and stay in hostels. Eat cheaply, but save up for a few treats.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:39 am
Rolling Stone: Unfortunately, he has no passport. So he’s “stuck” in the United States. Touring the old world would be a GREAT experience. In fact, it’s something I would like to do myself.