Husband to not attend nursery graduation?

[AleenaM]

Nursery graduation at the end of the month and summer party right after, but husband says he has a sports/hobby competition that day. Don't know if he's joking but even the suggestion annoys me.

AIBU to expect him to attend party? Child won't graduate again but I'm sure they'll be competitions again. He is just getting back into this sport and it's a regional competition, it's not like a once in a lifetime olympics or something ...

I'm of the generation where a graduation only applied to a university degree.

Our preschool bought them years ago and just reuse them. They're used for about 15 mins every year. Will probably last 40 years or so!

I so agree with this, why call it a graduation? Why not Leavers Celebration or End of term party? I really hope this isn’t a new trend and they don’t do this “graduation” nonsense at the end of Primary school. There was a little celebration on the last day of pre school for my two, I went but my DH had to work so couldn’t. I just asked them and they don’t even remember it!

That is ridiculous. They haven't "graduated". They haven't achieved anything beyond getting a year older.

The only thing that's not right here is that it is you that has to go. You need to take up an old hobby quickly and organise a competition. Even if it's knitting or paint drying watching.

I'm from quite far NE. They definitely weren't the norm where I grew up back then. Maybe some posher places did them.

How dare you - my little girl got a Double First in potato printing and dressing up.

So much speculation on this site, I’m 47, I had a career change just before covid hit.

my 22 and 20 year old had them. It’s not a new thing.

They are only little kids! You seem quite annoyed..Why does it matter if a graduation is usually at the end of university 🤷🏻‍♀️
My son is finishing primary school in 2 weeks it's a big deal to him and it is to me as well. He'll be starting secondary at the end of August and turning 13 too. These are milestones. Don't you celebrate milestones?

My 19yo had a nursery graduation. Its not a new concept.
My younger 3 have too.
It's more like a get together. The kids bake cakes and parents help decorate them with the dcs. A photo in a robe. Dancing and like a little parade.
It's actually quite sweet. Low key.
My dh turned down a job for a large sum as didn't want to miss one of our dcs a few years ago .

If only I was young, I’m 47 with children in their early 20’s who graduated from nursery. It’s not a new thing.

Its not speculation to say 4 years of data when you say "since 2020", as that is 4 years ago. It's just maths.

You drip feeding doesn't mean I've made an assumption. It means I responded to the information you gave.

My daughter had this years ago. She's now 21. Mortar board and black cape.

It's a made up none event in my opinion.

Another vote for wtf is this? Maine just left with no fuss. They are 4!

Serious question, as my kids are both at Uni now, so out of schooling.

Do they 'Graduate' from Primary school too?

My youngest had a school 'Prom' after A levels, which I thought was very American. Maybe that's the way it's going now.

I quoted you by mistake, I meant to quote the person who said I was young( as they assumed because I was recently qualified then I was young) .

Fair enough for that.

In my world, it's only been a thing in the last 10 years maybe. None of my family had one (I'm the oldest of my cousin's and close in age to a couple of aunt's), my friends kids have only recently started having them, my 21, 17 and 14 year old nephews didn't have one and I don't remember my 10 year old niece having one. I don't think our nursery does it.

Everyone flailing about “oh, dear, these horrible American traditions” - Americans neither know nor care if little kids in the UK have nursery school graduations. This is solely on your own countrymen (countrywomen?) deciding to take up the tradition for themselves.

I “graduated” from preschool in the US in 1990. Everyone had a tassel cap made from construction paper. We each received a little certificate, sang a couple songs, and ate punch and cookies. My mom came, but my dad had to work, which I accepted. My parents have some cute photos someplace.

OP, I don’t know the answer to your situation. I think it depends on how much your child will care if he’s not there.

and a tutu (2.2) in ballet too ;)

@iamsoshocked some do! And from Y6. Insane.
My kids are 19 and 20 so not long out of school. No 'graduation'. They had proms after GCSEs and after A levels a Leavers do or ball.

YANBU - Yes it is a little 'silly' but unless you have something important on I don't know why you'd miss it. They are super cute too.

Show up for your child. Your child being some made up character in the Christmas play isn't too important either but it is to them.

Dear God, save me from this madness.

Child won't graduate again

Won't they though? What about infant school graduation, junior school graduation, senior school graduation, sixth form graduation, then...er.. actual graduation?

I don’t see it as a big thing. My husband was at work. Once they had school events he came.

If we flipped the roles and the OP had something planned that she really wanted to do, you wouldn't be expecting her to cancel it if the father is attending.

Yes, mother's attend more of these events than the fathers, as the majority of the time the father is working full-time and the mother is not. It's easier to attend an event on your day off work, or even swap your working days one week.

Considering how much annual leave is needed for school holidays, I would not be happy to use it up for all these events.

When I worked shifts I would swap and attend almost all of them. Now that I'm mon-fri 9-5 me and my DH split the events.

If you read the OP posts it comes across as it being a big deal for her (fair enough) but also brings up the fact that they know all the other families. Personally, just because they know some of the families isn't a reason why the father needs to go.