To think this is a bit much (disclaimer - first world moan)

[mrsmalcolmreynolds]

So in my lunch hour I was having an idle check of Facebook and noticed a post from an acquaintance - a photo of her DS' graduation from nursery (like my DD he will be going to school in September). Fair enough, except that the photo was of him in a mini version of university graduation kit - gown, mortar board, fake scroll, the lot!

Now my DD's nursery is doing a graduation thing, but it consists of a little concert in the church hall next to the nursery, and then a celebration high tea. My DH rolls his eyes even at that, but I think it's nice, particularly given that she's been there nearly four years. However, dressing up four year olds as if they've just finished three years of university strikes me as ridiculous, and really rather precious.

AIBU?

YANBU. I am so glad mine are older and we missed out on this americanised nonsense.

Our primary school do this when the children 'graduate' from Reception class. Complete with gown, mortar board, scroll, teddy and photographer who sells the photo packages starting at £10.

Is it not meant to be a joke? And a bit cute?

Shiraz really????? When they're not even leaving the school? The world has truly gone mad.

Yup, bit much.

cogito I don't know really - personally I don't find it at all cute and I don't see the joke, but if others do I guess I might BU - hence the post.

Our preschool doesn't do the dressing up but all the leavers get a book and their first school tie which I think is nice.

Ah, this might be far cuter if they were wearing an adult-sized mortar board and gown.

Our school made paper graduation hats and had a little scroll and presentation when they moved from reception to year 1. Full gown a bit OTT.

I think that is a lovely idea, whitepuddingsupper.

DS1 had this - paper mortar board that he got to keep, plain paper scroll (ditto) and a gown that they all shared for "the moment" and proud parents could take a photo. I missed it sadly, as I was at an appt in the city and the preschool hadn't given me enough notice that it would be happening (never even crossed my mind that something like that would occur!) but DH managed to go and took a couple of photos.

They enjoyed it - I think it's a bit daft but hey, it doesn't hurt anyone - but yes, I do think it's a bit much and takes away from the final graduation from university. It will all be a bit passé by then for them!

My dsis is a nursery worker and her nursery do this. The parents enjoy it and the robes and mortar boards were bought a few years ago so it doesn't make sense not to use them.

I suggested she get more use out of them by sticking them in the dress up box so they can play Harry Potter but I don't think her boss would be very keen!

whitepuddingsupper I agree, that sort of gesture to mark what is a pretty big change is really nice.

I guess what I struggle with is (a) when it goes OTT which in my view definitely includes gowns etc. and (b) having it at the end of every school year when there really isn't the same degree (sorry!) of change happening.

My friend had this too. and little certificates rolled up to hold like degrees. I did think oh FFS only in the city (because that's where she lives now and I'm still small country)

I personally like the gown and mortar board being something that they earn, rather than something that's automatically given out at 4, then 5, then 11...

But I am quite stroppy about that kind of thing.

I know someone who rented a limo for her darling and his friends to go to their pre-k graduation. Complete with tuxes etc... Insane. We didn't even bother going in for our kids' one... We took him to the water park instead.

I'm firmly on the fence with this!

On one hand, I think it's a ridiculous idea, their only achievement is showing up and I hate the Americanisation of our culture.

DC2 had his last week. Beforehand I'd been giving off to DP about how silly it is, but it was lovely. It was a nice way of marking the end of their pre-school education before they move on to primary and I think the ceremony aspect of it helped DS to comprehend the whole thing.

As I said, on the fence

Andes there was me thinking DD's school was OTT for doing a graduation party at the end of 8th grade, which is 14/15 yrs old. They then continúe in the same school, same class, same building until age 18.

YANBu I hate these Americanisms too. The school prom is one of the worst too. What was wrong with the good old end of year disco?

Damn you autocorrect, I wasn't talking about the bloody mountains. Leave my typing alone

I think it's a bit much but also very very cute

I would take great pleasure in putting a pic of that and UNi graduation next to each other. Extremely cute