Graduation photos on wiwikau

[NCTDN]

Is it just me or is it strange for people to post their children's photos for everyone to see ?

I guess they're just proud and excited.

However, I agree it is strange. But I think wiwikau is generally strange and intense anyway! I don't know why I'm a member. I don't have a child at uni. It's entertaining

I've stayed in that group in case I need it but have unfollowed it because the massive over-sharing makes me uncomfortable.

But there were 100s of 'moving in day' pics with the kids in it. That not only shows the kid but where they are living!
What's the objection? A face, a uni. Just pass them by if not interested.
At least the dozens of questions of 'what should I wear to my kids graduation (odd question as that is) should be answered now!
What I don't like about WIWIKAU is that no one seems to use the search and the same question is asked over and over.

I totally agree! All the graduation photos are getting a bit boring now. Share that stuff with close friends and family!! I think it's a very supportive and positive group, so people know they're going to get the positive response to affirm their (justified) pride.

Why do you need it from people you don’t know? It’s very odd.

@mondaytosunday on the subject of 'what shall I wear?', DD, who is working in DS2's university city, attended two graduations there this week - his on Tuesday evening and her housemate's on Monday. On Tuesday, DH wore a not particularly sober suit and I wore an M&S dress and a Zara (sale!) cardigan and we were probably at the 'smarter' end of the audience in the hall itself (DD, DS1 and DS2's partner were outside in the 'festival' area, where the general vibe may have been even more casual, although 'our' group were in 'smart casual office workwear', ditto, and a rather nice suit, respectively). However, DD reported that the previous day, when her friend's nothing-to-do-with-Medicine School had randomly been accompanied by the medics, the two most striking things in her view were that the latter's parents were all dressed up to the nines - and that a good few of their graduating DC looked as if they really, really hated them. She wasn't sure whether this was à propos their choice of dress, or possibly for having forced them to study Medicine...

DH did post a montage of 'DS2 graduation' photos on his personal FB page, but with DS2's agreement.

Those sort of groups do tend to get a bit show-offy over time. it only takes a couple of people to post, and then everyone does.

Over lockdown I started following a suggestions of things to do with your kids page. I stopped following when it became a "look what my kid produced and doesn't think it's very good, because she's lacking in confidence" <picture/video of top grade whatever> oka "give me praise..."

I absolutely agree with posting on personal pages, but to a whole load of people that you don't know ?! Yes I agree it's the same in moving in day.
I think it's great for most things and know I've got answers on there - but tbh have got more here

@NCTDN Isnt it people who need constant affirmation that they are wonderful? I rather suspect it’s not people who are accustomed to it. I really don’t think many parents at private schools do it. Happy to be corrected. We just say if asked. We have friends who have constantly gushed about their grandchildren in the annual letter. Last years was an eye opener. I’ll say no more but it wasn’t a glittering uni experience or career in the offing. It’s just wiser to keep your own counsel.

I can't get upset about it if this is what some choose to do. Many seem to be ' graduated against the odds' stories,which are nice. Or I figure they're the first in their family to go to uni and they want to post to an audience who get it.

I do wonder if their young person has approved it though. I don't post photos on my personal Facebook account of my teen/adult DC without asking them first.

I find it a bit strange. Some of them have photos of the kids with their names. A few of them have info about their mental health problems and lack of friends.

Ah yes, not so good to identify them and give our so much personal information.

I always wonder if the parents have got their child's permission to post their pictures (and quite often a lot of personal details) online. It's not like a personal FB page - there are thousands of people looking at WIWIKAU.

Moving in day I find more interesting as I like seeing the different student rooms (to give me an idea where my own DC might live).

But graduation photos are basically all the same.

I don’t mind it, often it is designed to reassure - rocky start but all came good or first in family but agree there’s a lot of personal information being shared I doubt with dc’s permission.
It’s same with instagram and sharing children’s health issues or disabilities. X may or may not choose to disclose he has adhd/bladder issues etc when he’s 18 to a potential employer.
It is a small world and no doubt will cause issues when someone puts 2 and 2 together.

It's quite useful to see what people wear. I am not in that group but did go back over a couple of friends' profiles on FB to see what they and their offspring wore for their graduations!

I do think a lot of people need constant reassurance though - not just to do with university but also the people who ask in a local group where the best local Chinese is. Why not try them all and see which you prefer?

I agree there is a lot of value for others in the success stories (particularly those where the student has had a rough ride).

But we don't need to see the actual graduation photos and, for your child's privacy, please keep the stories more general and less identifiable.

What is odd is posting on here about it, in a kind of behind your back bitchy snidey looking down your nose vibe.

If you don’t like it, go on there and say it to their face.

FWIW the only people I know that speak publicly about their DCs achievements have privately educated kids - I assumed it was the public justification of paying thousands. But tbh I’m not of the schadenfreude mindset when I hear they aren’t doing so well, as they are my friends and I want good things for them and their kids.

I'm going to our DDs tomorrow.
Proud doesn't come close, I will not be posting anything. I am tempted to send one of her giving the speech of thanks and looking gorgeous to her mentally abusive ex partner.
I won't

I had to remove myself from WIWIKAU as some of the Mums on their are completely off their trolley. I thought this place a load of over invested Mothers but hell we are nothing compared to that place!!

@NCTDN Around here it’s the grammar school mums! Privately educated know they are the bees knees!

Apologies !! That was to @RidiculousPrice Ignore other tag.