Anonymous wrote:I would say it depends on the family. And for my extended family, not at all important. But, for DH, he and his siblings travel far and wide for the nieces and nephews High School graduations. And then nothing for college graduations. I so don't get it, but different strokes for different folks!

I think it’s a more traditional way of thinking, and is likely more important in areas where people didn’t generally aspire or actually go on to higher education, especially if there were other good employment options to HS Grads. The PP at 1530 explained it perfectly. Graduating HS is like leaving the nest for the first time, more than th “graduation” part. It’s a symbolic transition into adulthood, and the parents host the party to celebrate that.

A graduating college student has been more or less living alone/ on their own for 3/4/8 years, other than maybe coming home to raid their parents bank account and fridge on major holidays. They are actual adults during most of this process, even though still reliant on their parents. In theory, when they graduate, it should be their party to host as an adult, but that’s rarely the case as it’s the new transition to adulthood, even if the “child” is 26 and has more or less been out of the house since 18.

I think the bar is shifting for obvious reasons, but I also think many families celebrate the traditional milestones. Let’s be honest, no 30 or 40 old needs a “milestone” blow out birthday party either, but lots of people do it.

Anonymous wrote:I would say it depends on the family. And for my extended family, not at all important. But, for DH, he and his siblings travel far and wide for the nieces and nephews High School graduations. And then nothing for college graduations. I so don't get it, but different strokes for different folks!

This is how it is in my family. High school is a big deal. Nothing for college, Med school, law school, etc. I guess it makes sense to me. It's about celebrating becoming an adult, not about getting a degree.

Mom, Dad, local immediate family. Otherwise no one else knows or cares.

I would say it depends on the family. And for my extended family, not at all important. But, for DH, he and his siblings travel far and wide for the nieces and nephews High School graduations. And then nothing for college graduations. I so don't get it, but different strokes for different folks!

I went to my nephews’ HS graduations with my kids that were elementary-age and so did my parents (grandparents).

They live in the area. I am close to my sister and all 3 of her boys.

Only my parents attended mine. Grandparents did not live near by and were fairly old at that time.

I am not sure any grandparents will be alive by the time my kids graduate.

Nope - not important. We will not go to our nephews' and don't expect anyone but parents and grandparents to attend our kids' graduations.

It's important for immediate family and grandparents. Thankfully many schools limit a family to a certain number of tickets which makes it easy.

I live in the Midwest and high school graduation parties are kind of a big deal here. Less than weddings, but significantly more than birthdays. Before all of the judgement starts, I want to mention that I went to a prep school in Cincinnati, so it's not like this was the end of anyone's education. But it was a big deal. It's a big transition period for most kids. It's the end of living with your parents, and the start of your life as your own, making all of your own decisions, rather than an extension of your mom and dad.

It has zero importance. Zero.

Not important. Who even gets enough tickets to invite extended family like that? Throw money at the problem and stop worrying.

Good try, graduation drama OP.
As important as you want it to be. Some people celebrate birthdays too

You really have issues, and you need to just let your dislike for you SIL go. How many more posts are you going to start?

I find it hilarious you consider her manipulative, but you have such a hell bent desire to be more right than her.. enough to start a poll on an online forum.

Here’s my answer: In Some families all milestones are important. Sounds like that’s not your family and it’s fine. Or, it’s not important TO YOU. Sounds like it might be important enough to your ILs, as they’re going. You’re allowed to disagree, but not everyone on the planet has to feel the same way you do.

No

Not important

How important for you to attend HS graduation for extended family? Especially people from out of town?
Just a little survey.