the best graduation gift: surviving high school

My oldest stepson graduates from high school this year and my youngest will follow suit a few years down the road. When Alan and I talked about finances and marriage, the discussion of graduation funds popped up and continues to be a topic from time to time.

Alan and I both grew up with different post-high school realities. He had a full ride to USC but enlisted (although I'm not sure if his parents also saved money for him or not). Throughout our childhood, our parents saved money for my sister and me. Scholarships and financial aid were also involved, but I always had the idea that I would attend college after high school.

So recently, I reflected on why it seems so important (to me) to be able to usher someone from high school into the post-high school world--regardless of the person's plans--with money.

On the one hand, I think it displays a vote of confidence. We know you have it in you to succeed in college. On the other hand, college is not for everyone and not every path in life requires a degree from higher education, so I would not want to unintentionally push the expectation that you will do this.

Also, I have reconsidered my own beliefs about success, high school, and higher education. For example, I did not want a graduation party after high school because I felt that we all have to graduate, anyway. And I did not want one after earning my bachelor's degree because I felt that that was pretty much expected, too. But did I want to celebrate the two and a half years of work to earn my master's?

Is the Pope Catholic?

Although, my attitude toward celebration has changed, because high school is such a stressful, crazy, overwhelming time of life. So, forget the degree--celebrate the fact that you made it out of there alive. Surviving high school is enough of a reason to celebrate. And if someone is throwing free money at you, all the better.