I’ve been seeing ‘2020 Grad’ signs popping up all over town. I think I feel for the grads who are ending their elementary or high school career with little ceremony or finality. Or, for students who are completing their grade and ready to move to the next. Usually these days are full of pizza parties and field trips. But instead, we’re still in March Break and hardly know what day it is. 

Simply put, transitions are important. Having a beginning and end to seasons helps us to feel grounded. Some transitions (such as graduating or getting a promotion) give us a sense of accomplishment and advancement. Other transitions (such as a breakup or a loss) may bring us back to basics where we are re-examining our life goals and priorities. Both are important and give rhythm to our life. 

The hardest thing is not marking a transition at all. Many felt this during COVID-19 days. Many significant life events went by without the usual celebrations or gatherings. We witnessed weddings and funerals over Zoom, we gave best wishes to grad over social media and congratulated friends on job promotions. 

Now that things are re-opening, how can we mark transitions and celebrate these accomplishments with our kids? 

-Have a beach day to celebrate the end of the school year.. (Don’t everyone go at once!) 

-Organize a social distancing graduation bbq with a couple of your kids’ classmates

-Have a water fun day in the backyard with giant bubbles, water fights and the works!

-Cake! Have cake! And ice cream!

-Have your kids make a “year book” of all the ridiculous things that transpired during COVID-19

In the end, your kids’ days make look the same in July as they did from March to June. But having some kind of celebration will help everyone to have some closure. Let them know those crazy days of distance learning while they’re still in their jammies are DONE. Onwards and upwards! 

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Photo by Charles DeLoye on Unsplash