Little happy/Little sad

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Christopher is going to be graduating from Kindergarten on Thursday. He's been having a rough time with practicing the ceremony and songs. The class is too loud for him while singing, so I helped him come up with the idea of using his headphones, and even covering his ears with his hands, too, if he's being bothered by it. We also talked to his teacher because he was extremely anxious about having to wear the cap and gown. She says it's fine for him to just wear a blue shirt. I think knowing that will make practicing easier for him. He told me he didn't want to go if he had to wear a gown and hat, and seemed satisfied by our new plan.

I know I'm asking a LOT of him to sit through the ceremony, and honestly, I'll be very surprised if he does it. I was pleased at Christmas when he sat in his teacher's lap off to the side of the stage, while his classmates performed their program. I was just happy he made it through without a meltdown. He'll probably do the same thing this time, and just sit with his teacher.

I'll be happy if he gets through Thursday night without a meltdown, too. But I have to admit I'm disappointed that he doesn't enjoy this type of thing, like so many kids do. I'm a bit sad that I won't have a picture of him with a cap and gown, graduating like the other kids. I'm a bit sad that he'll be in a situation where he is very obviously the oddball, as usual. It's a small school, and everyone knows him. I believe most people are understanding and accepting of him, and I'm grateful for that.

I know it's just who he is, and he'll probably never enjoy performing with other kids, or wearing special things, or being in front of a crowd. And I understand it's just a ceremony created out of silly social traditions. Considering that I really thought in October that I was going to have a Kindergarten drop-out on my hands, I'm really grateful that he's made so much progress and completed the year!

OK. I'm not sure where I'm going with this. Just putting it out there, since I assume there are other parents here who can relate in some way. I love that little boy so much, and just need to come to terms that he's probably never going to be a social butterfly or enjoy these types of situations, and that we're just going to have to celebrate what we can, how we can. Thanks for "listening!"

I do relate. It is sad to miss some of the milestones along the way and/or not to enjoy the celebrations.

It sounds like you are really focusing on the good though, which is wonderful and really all you can do.

And congratulations to Christopher for graduating kindergarten!

Congratulations Christopher and family!

I do know where your coming from, every now and then I get a little sad and I must say envious of NT parents. However it just makes the little unexpected things our kids do all the more exciting. It also means we dont take our kids for granted. I used to be dissapointed every time I would pick my son up from kinder and all the other mums were complaining about all the paintings/drawings/constructions (what they called rubish) that their kids would bring home. I got one painting all his kinder year and it was just black. I never knew then that he was on the spectrum.

Would Christopher tolerate a sash maybe. One that just sat over one shoulder and said perhaps graduating class 2009, just a thought. Something for you to keep. The other thing I was thinking was what about some ear plugs (my son wouldn't wear them, yours might) you know those unobtrusive one that either swimmers or construction workers use.

Any way just some ideas. Good luck for the ceramony. Congrats again to Christopher, what a huge milestone.

He did it! He sat with me instead of with his class, which was fine. The class was up on the stage and they spent nearly 20 minutes singing songs, doing motions and playing rhythm instruments, all of which are simply NOT on CME's can-do list.

So he sat with me, and enjoyed watching his friends, except for one song which was too loud for him. Then he used his headphones until it was over.

Then they called the kids' names, and when he was called he got up, got his "pimploma" and sat back down with me, very proud of himself.

He was quiet through the whole thing, which was my goal. He and I went and played mini-golf after and had a nice time together.

My baby's growing up!

***************CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTOPHER and MUM***************

Congratulations!

Don't give up that he'll never do these things. He may just not see the point in it. I still don't and I'm 30+. He may be nervious because he can't understand why he would have to put himself in an exposed situation like that. I did go to my High School graduation and did all the cap and gown wearing. I love wearing a suit and tie now (feels good, it's important to get a good fit).

Give it time.

My son just graduated from kindergarten. Thank goodness they didn't have to wear gowns. He didn't seem to like it at all.
Nate absolutely hated practicing songs and just being in the music room. He ended up doing alright during the graduation. They had to stand and sit in front of everyone too long but he did it. I wish you all the best.

Yeah. He has issues with the noise and with having to sit/stand so close to the others. Not to mention the funny look and feel of even his friends' robes and hats. Too much for a kid like him to filter out.

I do have hopes for him though. I'm a former music teacher and LOVE performing. And CME loves music. He doesn't like to sing; he likes to pretend to be the instruments, especially percussion! I know one day he's going to find his niche! But I can't say I blame him for not wanting to sit with 23 squirming kids with tambourines and bells!

Thanks for the congratulations. Only 12 more years to go before college hopefully. One at a time, right?