Advice for grads, parents

Scott Loftis

It’s graduation time in Carroll County. The Class of 2023 at Eureka Springs High School graduated last Saturday. Green Forest’s seniors will follow suit on Friday, with Berryville High School’s graduates receiving their diplomas on Sunday.

It’s an exciting time for the new graduates, embarking on the beginning of their adult lives. It can be a bittersweet time for their parents, who have a lot to celebrate but whose lives also may be about to change significantly.

I’ve been on both sides of that scenario, although it’s getting to be so long now that memories of my own high school graduation have faded a bit. Heck, it’s been 12 years now since my oldest son graduated.

I’d like to offer some advice to both the new graduates and to their parents.

First, for the grads, don’t be in too big a hurry. Trust me, there will be plenty of time to be an adult. Before you know it, you’ll have a job, a car payment, a mortgage, a family of your own. There’s no need to rush. Enjoy this time in your life, when your future stretches out in front of you like a wide-open highway.

Now, for the parents. Enjoy this moment. Just like your graduate, you’ve worked hard for it. From the day they cried and clung to your hip as you dropped them off at kindergarten to the moment they throw their mortarboards in the air, it’s been a long journey. Right now, though, it feels as if it all happened way too fast.

You might feel a little lost as your graduate makes his or her way to college, or the workforce, or the military. Your sense of purpose may be graduating right along with your student.

But try not to worry too much. Before you know it, a mature adult will take the place of that little boy or girl. You’ll miss that child but, oh, how proud you’ll be of how they turned out. And pretty soon there will be more children in your life — your precious grandchildren. Being a parent can be tough but let me tell you, being a grandparent is a wonderful experience. And nothing is more gratifying than watching your own child become a good parent.

Change is an inevitable part of life, and this is a big one. Yes, there will be an adjustment period as the new grads and their parents learn to embrace the new normal, but you’ll get through it.

Graduates and parents, please keep in mind that this will be a new experience for all of you. Try to be understanding and patient with one another.

The next few years just might be the best years of your lives.

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Scott Loftis is editor and publisher of the Carroll County News. His email address is SLoftis@Carroll-CoNews.com.