OP here-in this case, DS's coach is an AAU coach, so the team is in no way affiliated with the school. It makes no difference, though, because the coach wrote one of DS' recommendations for NHS and wouldn't have a problem if he missed practice for the ceremony. It is important to me that he's in NHS and follows through with all the requirements, but the ceremony isn't really that important to me. My DH and I have tried to give when we don't feel strongly about things so that when we do feel strongly, our kids know they need to step up. That's worked with our kids so far (one's a sophomore in college, one's a 10th grader, and the youngest is in 6th grade).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have decided to let my son make his own decisions with clubs, work and sports. He has to deal with the pitfalls of making the wrong decision with meaningless parts of his life. It is a good growing experience.

Neither is going to make or break his life, let him decide.

Disagree. Not showing up at practice could have profound consequences I terms of getting on a coach's s*** list, etc.

Any coach who would put a kid on a shitlist for attending an academic recognition ceremony is a dickweed who should not be coaching.

Coaches are dickweeds so are bosses... good life lesson.