Yesterday my daughter graduated from high school. When I got divorced graduation seemed so far away, I was more concerned with who would watch her in the summer and for school holidays. It seemed like forever until I didn’t need a babysitter so I could work. Graduation wasn’t even a thought.
The time has flown by. My baby bird is now a young adult. On graduation day and all of Hailey’s special occasions I am so glad her father and I have been able to remember what is important- our daughter. Hailey was able to share her day with both her parents, her Dad’s girlfriend, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. We all went out to dinner after, the conversation flowed easily and my baby was not uncomfortable having so many different parts of her life at the same table.
Two years ago at my nephew’s graduation things were tense. My sister and her ex husband weren’t on speaking terms which made a day that should have been so wonderful for their son, very tense. At one point it was funny how little we were communicating. My poor nephew had twenty people at his graduation and because no one was talking to each other everyone assumed someone else was giving him a ride so the poor kid had to call us to come back and get him.
As I watched my baby girl yesterday I was so glad there was nothing to mar this day for her. I think that sometimes we forget who is really important in a divorce- and that’s our children. Kids have two parents and they should be able to share their special moments with both parents, together, without stress, just enjoying the day.
I guess I am starting on a new phase of being a single parent. Now, I’m the single parent of a young adult, not a child. There will be no more discussions of child support and doctor bills and weekends. Now, Hailey gets to decide.
I just hope we have done all we can, as her parents, to foster a wonderful relationship and that she has happy memories of her childhood, in spite of the divorce.
