‘Tis the season. To graduate or not to graduate, that is the question.  Rites of passage are especially important for us homeschoolers who don’t have (or want) the usual institutional milestones.  Our children need a time and place they can point to and say, “I finished high school.” And having a diploma – even one issued by Your Homeschool Academy – does help them along in business and college.  You don’t have to spend the first ten minutes of your post-graduate interviews explaining why you don’t have a diploma and how you never graduated from high school.  A diploma validates academic achievement and allows you to proceed directly to discussing your skills, your goals and your value to your interviewer.

Two of my three have graduated.  We tailored their celebrations to their tastes and accomplishments.

Here are some of the things we did:

1. We got together with our grad’s friends for a small joint celebration.
2. Each grad had a table on which to display their work and awards, and to collect cards from well-wishers.
3. Dad & brother piped in the graduates (yeah, bagpipes!).
4. Each family had a set amount of time for slide shows, thanks, a charge from Dad, kudos from Mom, and presentation of diploma.
5. The graduates performed. Our children sang with their friends.  I have seen lovely instrumental recitals, inspiring speeches and entertaining drama.
6. The assembled well-wishers were invited to gather ’round and pray for the graduates’ futures.
7. We partied together after the prayer time, according to the tastes of the graduates.  For one daughter, we had a black-tie Scottish country dance.  For the other, we had a CLUE ball complete with mystery games, who-dunnit improvisations and swing dancing.  My niece will graduate this spring and celebrate afterwards with an “Amazing Race” through the mountains nearby, and a debrief dinner.
8. The assembled guests were invited to roast and toast each of the grads  – 30 seconds to a speaker.

Whatever your circumstances, both you and your children need to take time to acknowledge and to celebrate God’s goodness, direction, protection and sustenance in the graduate’s achievements.  None of you has taken the easy path, if you are finishing as homeschoolers.  Savor this moment together.

And when you have crafted your family’s celebration – do leave a comment here to encourage others!