Do your in-laws attend college graduation?

[Anonymous]

Both sets of grandparents came to our son’s hs graduation. And we’re all - grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins - going to my nephew’s college graduation in May, but there are some extenuating circumstances which explain why we’re all making the trip. My oldest will graduate from college next year and none of the aunts/uncles and cousins will be there, but the grandparents might want to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We didn't invite any of the grandparents to our kid's college graduation, and I'm glad they didn't ask. All would have required more attention than we would have wanted to give them at that busy time!

What kind of attention are you talking about exactly?

[Anonymous]

I was fortunate to have all 4 of my grandparents attend my college graduation- lived 4 hrs away.

[Anonymous]

Perfectly normal for a graduate’s grandparents to attend their graduation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents and siblings just attended my graduation. Grandparents were either older or deceased and did not attend and would not have traveled to attend. My in-laws are very pushy and want to attend but many of the events are for the graduates and their parents (us) and siblings only. I do not hear of too many grandparents attending the weekend events. Question - what percentage of you have grandparents attend college graduation? Mind you they would be traveling a long distance and do not know anyone in said town which means husband would end up having to entertain them all weekend for every meal, etc...

Just parents - graduations are long and boring, IF grandparents from either side, or siblings, actually want to watch, send them the link to the livestream

[Anonymous]

No. Why anyone would want to sit through a graduation ceremony is beyond me.

[Anonymous]

dont still expect the gift if theyre not invited

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't invite any of the grandparents to our kid's college graduation, and I'm glad they didn't ask. All would have required more attention than we would have wanted to give them at that busy time!

What kind of attention are you talking about exactly?

You really can’t imagine it for yourself? “Where do we park?” “Where do we meet up with you?” (In front of the basketball arena or wherever the event is, look for Gate 5 with all the people in front of it) “I don’t know where that is, someone needs to come to my car and walk me over there. I’m parked in xyz lot that’s all the way across campus because that’s where the GPS took me.” Or on an urban campus, “we flew in last night and we’re in a hotel downtown, but we don’t know how to use the public transit here, someone needs to come to the hotel tomorrow morning and take us to the campus.”

[Anonymous]

No. Our college kids don’t vacation with their grandparents or host them in their college town.

[Anonymous]

Graduation?

No.

Maybe if it was local and not 3000 miles away and there weren’t 10+ grandchildren. One early window fainted at a middle school graduation due to the heat so crowds aren’t that fun.
Now that I think about it graduation ceremonies aren’t that interesting. Hanging out with friends and nice dinners are. Then pack them up and leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:dont still expect the gift if theyre not invited

It’s equally tacky to for all invite someone to an expensive far way place, in order for them not to really consider it but send money or a gift.

Just grab a meal next time you’re in town.

Places like Boston and Palo Alto hotels sell out 12-24 mos ahead of time with block rooms and parents flying in. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Why anyone would want to sit through a graduation ceremony is beyond me.

Agree.

Large College ones are so formal, formulaic and canned. Most people skip the undergrad one.

Grad school ones were fun (for students!).

[Anonymous]

My grandparents attended my graduation because they lived only an hour away. I’d never expect them travel a long distance.

[Anonymous]

All four of my grandparents attended my college graduation which was about a 2.5 hour drive from my hometown where they also lived. That day, I felt very fortunate to have all of them there. But, looking back on it 28 years later and with none of them still alive, I feel that so much more.

I think you’re being difficult, OP. And I think it’s great that they’re willing to travel to support their grandson. If there are enough tickets to the ceremony, you should have them attend. If there are certain events that are only for graduates and parents, they can find something else to do during that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn't invite any of the grandparents to our kid's college graduation, and I'm glad they didn't ask. All would have required more attention than we would have wanted to give them at that busy time!

What kind of attention are you talking about exactly?

You really can’t imagine it for yourself? “Where do we park?” “Where do we meet up with you?” (In front of the basketball arena or wherever the event is, look for Gate 5 with all the people in front of it) “I don’t know where that is, someone needs to come to my car and walk me over there. I’m parked in xyz lot that’s all the way across campus because that’s where the GPS took me.” Or on an urban campus, “we flew in last night and we’re in a hotel downtown, but we don’t know how to use the public transit here, someone needs to come to the hotel tomorrow morning and take us to the campus.”

DP. LOL! I think you know my in laws. That said, if they want to attend my DC’s college graduations, I will suck it up and deal.