I don’t know you or your parents but would like to tell you “the other side” if I may:
My oldest daughter also graduated 3 weeks ago. I filled out many FAFSAs, co-signed loan applications, provided money when she needed it (in the thousands), listened for hours when she had melt downs, provided a car and gas, made favorite meals when she said she was coming home only to be told she was going to boyfriends instead, provided her cell phone, … and the list goes on. On graduation day we took her and boyfriend out to nice meal, paid for the hotel we all stayed in and paid for a nice lunch. We, her parents, didn’t get introduced to any of her friends and were barely acknowledged. When the time came to award the “stole of gratitude” (one of their traditions) to the person who most supported her, she gave it to the boyfriend of 1 year. I was devastated and deeply hurt.
Again, I don’t know your parents… maybe they are totally horrendous. However I do know that we parents put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into raising our children and we look forward to the day that they say “I appreciate what you’ve done for me and I couldn’t have done it without your help.” Maybe try to step off of your position for a moment and see it from their perspective. Just sayin’
