Anonymous wrote:Just drop in, say hello, have some cake, then leave. I was an old soul who didn't fit in in high school, but you do what you have to.

This, OR politely decline saying you had a prior commitment and regret you are unable to attend.

Anonymous wrote:It's a real outliner who makes high school the worst years of their lives. Stop being so dramatic and maybe that will help them be less dramatic.

Or ... it'll just be the worst years of their lives -- so far.

Seriously, everyone knows this is junior high.

Even if they hated it, they may feel nostalgic.

Also, how do you know so much about another kid’s HS experience?

Anonymous wrote:It's a real outliner who makes high school the worst years of their lives. Stop being so dramatic and maybe that will help them be less dramatic.

Or ... it'll just be the worst years of their lives -- so far.

God I hated high school but it wasn't the worst years of my life. Middle school was a lot worse. My entire life as an adult has been better than any of those 7 years though. I do find it weird that people are essentially trying to act like a high school bully on a board full of adults. SAD!

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the mom in this situation is all about showing off that her DC is graduating from an expensive and exclusive high school that she insisted the kid attend. This party is all about the mom and her living out her dreams. The poor kid has been miserable in this school and in the life that her crazy mom has pushed. I'm sure that the kid will not enjoy this party. I just hate to be a part of the mom's BS performance.

Or maybe the graduate and friends will stop by for food and then be on their way. They won’t be mingling all night with the friends of their parents. You are overthinking this.

I hated high school but still went to graduation parties. We ate food, hung out with friends and went to our own parties later. I never remember going to any parties with my parents by then, unless it was for a family member. What’s the issue?

It's a real outliner who makes high school the worst years of their lives. Stop being so dramatic and maybe that will help them be less dramatic.

Or ... it'll just be the worst years of their lives -- so far.

Mom is inviting her friends (you) to kid's party? Don't go.

Anonymous wrote:The issue is that the mom in this situation is all about showing off that her DC is graduating from an expensive and exclusive high school that she insisted the kid attend. This party is all about the mom and her living out her dreams. The poor kid has been miserable in this school and in the life that her crazy mom has pushed. I'm sure that the kid will not enjoy this party. I just hate to be a part of the mom's BS performance.

I don't see why you can't celebrate the kids being free.

Lighten up OP

The issue is that the mom in this situation is all about showing off that her DC is graduating from an expensive and exclusive high school that she insisted the kid attend. This party is all about the mom and her living out her dreams. The poor kid has been miserable in this school and in the life that her crazy mom has pushed. I'm sure that the kid will not enjoy this party. I just hate to be a part of the mom's BS performance.

I was so happy to leave high school, but I still enjoyed the grad party! I don’t understand what the issue is?

I graduated in 1994 and couldn't wait to move out of my superficial bitchy town and out of my parents abusive and suffocating house. I was just biding my time, waiting for my life to begin. THere's nothing wrong with NOT enjoying HS.

Sometimes a graduation party is about celebrating the end of a wonderful time in your life and sometimes it's celebrating finally being finished getting through hell. You don't have to say anything to the parents throwing the parties except "Thank you so much for inviting me - everything looks wonderful!"

Just drop in, say hello, have some cake, then leave. I was an old soul who didn't fit in in high school, but you do what you have to.

I find it sad that so many kids who really didn't enjoy high school are made to feel pressured to act like they're going to miss what were actually the worst years of their lives. What can those of us adults who get pressured by clueless parents into attending high school grad parties do to be less of a thorn in the side of these kids who could care less about their high school and can't wait to get the hell out of Dodge? Is there an acceptable way to acknowledge this without being rude to the parents? I really think that going away parties make so much more sense for these kids.