Home Schooling Graduation: Should I?

[Scott]

Long time, no posts, sorry.

Okay, home schooling graduation coming up. Said young man was h.s.'ed by his mom (licensed in WA State, so she's not winging it) because the locals don't take kindly to a kid of Middle Eastern descent without going into too much elaboration. Of greater import, both he and his mom know of and are alright with what I cover the lower half of me with and asked me to the graduation. It's in June. Graduations take forever. If I'm going to be sitting there for hours on end, I really want to wear a skirt, preferably my floor-length, teal, Indian style tiered one with a mesh tier at the knees I bought last winter. Any opines from the room?

Since it's all homeschooled kids, I'm thinking there's a load of spiritual types there, and they're usually so tolerant aren't they? I don't think he's quite reconciled, since his mom's seen me skirted and he hasn't, that I'm not gay (though I don't know why that would be a going concern if I am or if I am not) and I just wonder if I'm borrowing trouble and would it be taking focus off him on his day?

In short, I'm as confused as usual.

[Stevie D]

Your proposed skirt outfit sounds very smart. I would go for it. After all, it's a graduation ceremony, and I assume lots of people will be there dressed in quite posh clothes, therefore you would not be 'taking the focus off his day'.

I went to a graduation ceremony last year at Sheffield University. I wore a very nice blue/black floral pattern sarong, with a black linen top. It was a lovely day; no-one made any adverse comment or asked awkward questions, no-one was embarrassed, and I was extremely comfortable and happy to be wearing what I wanted.

[Skirt Chaser]

Since it's all homeschooled kids, I'm thinking there's a load of spiritual types there, and they're usually so tolerant aren't they? I don't think he's quite reconciled, since his mom's seen me skirted and he hasn't, that I'm not gay (though I don't know why that would be a going concern if I am or if I am not) and I just wonder if I'm borrowing trouble and would it be taking focus off him on his day?

Since it sounds like the young man has been teased in the past by the community he may be skittish about the attention you could draw. My first thought is to ask the graduate and see how he feels about this occasion and the specific outfit you plan to wear. Run the clothes by his mother too for some feedback. A skirt might be fine all around but teal is rather showy and they may advise a different color especially if the graduation robes are black.

Quiet Mouse

[crfriend]

Since it's all homeschooled kids, I'm thinking there's a load of spiritual types there, and they're usually so tolerant aren't they?

I wouldn't be too worried about the kids, I'd be more concerned about their parents. Sadly, being "spiritual" does not in any way equate to being tolerant in all too many situations. I would bounce the idea off the lad's mom to see what her take on the matter would be. If she says that it's a "go", wear your skirt with pride; if she says that it wouldn't be wise, accept the advice and wear the conventional tr*users (or even a penguin getup).

Quiet Mouse brings up the notion that teal is a "flashy" colour; whilst that's true to a certain extent, I suspect that the mesh tier at the knees would be viewed as much more so, and more distracting. Definitely, feel the issue out with the lad's mother -- she'll have better knowledge about the crowd at hand than you do.

In any event, go to the event, share your pride in the lad on his achievement, and be sure to wish him well on his path forward!

[Since1982]

Now THERE'S a name from the past, I've not seen a post from QM in at least months or maybe years. WELCOME BACK Sweetie Pie!!! How's Quiet Man??

Agree with QM about the clothing choice. I'd think going along with whatever the color choice of the graduation robes are would be a great idea. It's the graduating kids' day and nothing should draw attention away from them!

[mk3]

I don't really know what to say, homeschooled kids are sometimes more accepting and sometimes less. the idea is that they're sheltered from the things they see everyday around other people, but they could or could not be exposed to the media and their ideas on normal. so ask the family, see if it's cool and if it is, do it.. if it's not, try and find something close to but acceptable.

[Scott]

Thanks, I have plenty of others to wear, all pretty much the same with the exception of the longer denim ones, so I have plenty to pick from. Not sure if I'll even get the invite as his mom and I never can get together.