I loved my kids' Kindergarten "graduations", their last year in their Montessori school before separating and going to various other schools, because they were so cute and the class was small, so it didn't take long. It was an appropriate goodbye to our beloved Montessori.

My oldest graduated last year from a high school with a 750 graduating class. 750 seniors walking across the stage, OP. None of the speeches were noteworthy. We waited forever in line at the UMBC whatsit to get a seat. It was just... a necessary rite of passage, but not particularly pleasant.

I will enjoy his college graduation more, because the setting will be a lot more interesting: the National Mall.

TLDR: it depends on your individual experience!

Anonymous wrote:For me it was because it was just one more event that I was expected to take time off work to attend in the middle of the work day. There are so many things the schools ask mom's to do, expect moms to do, and expect mom to take care of during the day, and it's SO hard to do at those ages because it feels like if they aren't home sick the school needed me at school for some event.

Dad's don't get the pressure to attend everything in the same way.

That’s a you problem. “No” is a complete sentence.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the above plus it's just over the top.
Every family (let's face it, mother) at our school has been assigned an item for the kindergarten graduation breakfast. I am supposed to bring FRUIT SALAD for 30-something kids and their families.
Now, our PTO has a budget excess in the 5 figures. You think they could spare $150 for coffee, lemonade and donuts. NO! We have to have this ridiculous fancy breakfast made by overworked moms. And frankly I wouldn't mind if they did nothing at all.

You have a husband problem.

Anonymous wrote:I have heard 3 times this week that various people hate pre k and K graduations. Why all the hate

One mom with twins in K said she hated attending their Pre K grad (she was proud just thought it was obnoxious) and is dreading another graduation at the end of K. Her older daughter will also be graduating from 2nd at her school. The school her kids go to have large graduation ceremonies for pre k, k ,2nd, and 5th.

Why do you hate graduations?

Because anything not conveying a degree is obnoxious. You’re not accomplishing anything by finishing kindergarten. Or 2nd grade! Lol.

Anonymous wrote:I loved attending my kids' graduations--all of them. Attending other people's kids' graduations? Boring.

+1. Long, hot, crowded. No thanks.

I agree with the above plus it's just over the top.
Every family (let's face it, mother) at our school has been assigned an item for the kindergarten graduation breakfast. I am supposed to bring FRUIT SALAD for 30-something kids and their families.
Now, our PTO has a budget excess in the 5 figures. You think they could spare $150 for coffee, lemonade and donuts. NO! We have to have this ridiculous fancy breakfast made by overworked moms. And frankly I wouldn't mind if they did nothing at all.

Anonymous wrote:It's too much. They devalue graduations that are significant-- high school and college. It's just silly.

This.