Is some of the sadness due to losing much of a typical last year to the covid experience?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disagree with above completely. They are adults by law. They are (mostly) still kids in every other sense.

This. The maturity switch doesn’t suddenly flip on when they turn 18.

But the end of "childhood"? I mean, come on. College grads are in their early 20s. They left childhood behind a decade ago!

DP. Teens are still children, so no, a 21 or 22 year old didn't leave childhood behind 10 years ago. College graduation is the end of childhood for many. Its the first time many have to be financially independent and get a real job. College is a continuation of high school with more freedom.

There is definitely nostalgia at this milestone, OP. But our goal is to help them fledge. There will be many wonderful milestones in the years ahead!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disagree with above completely. They are adults by law. They are (mostly) still kids in every other sense.

This. The maturity switch doesn’t suddenly flip on when they turn 18.

But the end of "childhood"? I mean, come on. College grads are in their early 20s. They left childhood behind a decade ago!

Anonymous wrote:Disagree with above completely. They are adults by law. They are (mostly) still kids in every other sense.

This. The maturity switch doesn’t suddenly flip on when they turn 18.

Yes, I was very "young" as an undergrad, in terms of maturity and life experience. In some ways it's a personality quirk. My son is the same way, and my younger daughter is already more put together. I get it, OP.

Major life events could be stressful.

One of our DC graduated last year and was 100% psyched to move on to the next phase of his live. He had a wonderful four years but was just ready to move on. Having a job that he was very excited a kit helped the transition immensely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High school is the end of childhood. Adults attend college.

Way to tell an anonymous person their feelings are wrong!

Didn't say a word about feelings. Just the facts, ma'am.

Turn your thought process around. Your child will now be entering a new phase of life. Securing a job and making their way in the world. I think it is exciting. I have 2 sons who have gone thru this and neither were sad. They looked forward to their new beginnings and independence.

Anonymous wrote:High school is the end of childhood. Adults attend college.

Way to tell an anonymous person their feelings are wrong!

I have a HS senior, and I was just thinking about this yesterday.

While I am sad to leave behind some things, I am also excited to look ahead to the new things that will replace them--for me and for my child.

This has been true for me at every transition (from infancy until now). While I totally enjoyed every stage of the journey, I knew I would enjoy the next chapter just as much.

It's okay to be sad and nostalgic, but don't let yourself get stuck in that mindset.

Disagree with above completely. They are adults by law. They are (mostly) still kids in every other sense.

High school is the end of childhood. Adults attend college.

I never expected to feel sad that college is almost over for my DC. It feels like the official end of childhood. DC is sad about it too. Anyone else feel sad about graduation?