Category: Family & Parenting

Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it’s the culmination of hard work, dreams, and the threshold of a new beginning for our young adults. We want to offer hope and encouragement and let our graduates know just how proud we are. As they prepare to turn the page to an exciting new chapter in their lives, the right words can serve as a powerful beacon of wisdom and encouragement. 

Whether you are a proud parent, a teacher, or a family member, these X graduation quotes will mark this significant milestone with just the right sentiment. From the stirring words of contemporary icons to the timeless wisdom of historical figures, these quotes capture the essence of graduation: A time of reflection, joy, and looking forward to the future.

• Graduation Quotes from Historical Figures 
• Graduation Quotes from Movies 
• Graduation Quotes from Famous Graduation Speeches
• Graduation Quotes from Famous Songs
• Graduation quotes from Books

Graduation Quotes from Historical Figures 

1. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt
2. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau
3. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer
5. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
6. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
7. “Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.” Kerry Washington
8. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
9. Be bold, be courageous, be your best.” Gabrielle Giffords
10. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln
11. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
12. “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.” William Butler Yeats
13. “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Martin Luther King Jr.
14. “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Malcolm X
15. “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Albert Einstein
16. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt
17. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis
18. “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” – Oscar Wilde
19. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
20. “It always seems impossible until it is done.” Nelson Mandela
21. “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” Abraham Lincoln
22. “The future depends on what you do today.” Mahatma Gandhi
23. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” John D. Rockefeller
24. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
25. “The best revenge is massive success.” Frank Sinatra
26. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky

Graduation Quotes from Movies 

1. “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me.” The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
2. “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” Rocky Balboa (2006)
3. “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
4. “Remember who you are.” The Lion King (1994)
5. “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” Dead Poets Society (1989)
6. “Just keep swimming.” Finding Nemo (2003) 
7. “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up.” The Dark Knight (2008)
8. “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” Forrest Gump (1994)
9. “The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability.” Ratatouille (2007)
10. “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 
11.  “You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.” Legally Blonde (2001)
12. “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
13. “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” A League of Their Own (1992) 
14. “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.” Braveheart (1995)
15. “The thing that makes Woody special is he’ll never give up on you… ever.” Toy Story 3 (2010)
16. “There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” The Matrix (1999)
17. “It’s not about what you deserve, it’s about what you believe.” Wonder Woman (2017)
18. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” Coach Carter (2005)
19. “You cannot live your life to please others. The choice must be yours.” “Alice In Wonderland“ (2010)
20. “After a while, you learn to ignore the names people call you and just trust who you are.” Shrek The Third (2010)

Graduation Quotes from Famous Graduation Speeches

1. “Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.” Denzel Washington, University of Pennsylvania, 2011
2. “Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral. Pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” Shonda Rhimes, Dartmouth College, 2014
3. “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” Admiral William H. McRaven, University of Texas at Austin, 2014
4. “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” Nora Ephron, Wellesley College, 1996
5. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” Steve Jobs, Stanford University, 2005
6.  “Change requires more than righteous anger. It requires a program, and it requires organizing.” Barack Obama, Howard University, 2016
7. “Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path then by all means you should follow that.” Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane University, 2009
8. “It’s your turn to shape the world to fit your values and your dreams.” Michelle Obama, City College of New York, 2016
9. “You will find true success and happiness if you have only one goal, there really is only one, and that is this: to fulfill the highest, most truthful expression of yourself as a human being.” Oprah Winfrey, Harvard University, 2013
10. “When life sucks you under, you can kick against the bottom, break the surface, and breathe again.” Sheryl Sandberg, UC Berkeley, 2016
11. “There is no script. Live your life. Soak it all in.” Conan O’Brien, Dartmouth College, 2011
12. “It’s harder to be kind than clever.” Jeff Bezos, Princeton University, 2010
13. “This is your time and it feels normal to you but really there is no normal. There’s only change, and resistance to it and then more change.” Meryl Streep, Barnard College, 2010
14. “The sidelines are not where you want to live your life. The world needs you in the arena.” Tim Cook, MIT, 2017
15. “As you look ahead to the challenges of life, it’s important to remember that how you deal with them is as important as what you achieve.” Bill Gates, Harvard University, 2007
16. “Remember, any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” Jill Biden, Navajo Technical University, 2013
17. “Life is an improvisation. You have no idea what’s going to happen next and you are mostly just making things up as you go along.” Stephen Colbert, Northwestern University, 2011
18. “Your standardized ideologies will not always fit your life. Because life is messy.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Wellesley College, 2015

Graduation Quotes from Famous Songs

1. “You’re gonna miss this. You’re gonna want this back. You’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast.” You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins
2. “You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine.” “Firework” by Katy Perry
3. “Don’t stop believin’, hold on to that feelin’.” “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
4. “Feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you.” “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
5. “My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to. Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small.” My Wish by Rascal Flatts
6. “And may the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows. And may the road less paved be the road that you follow.” Have it All by Jason Mraz
7. “If I can see it, then I can do it. If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it.” “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly:
8. “Standing in the hall of fame, and the world’s gonna know your name.” “Hall of Fame” by The Script feat. will.i.am
9. “But I keep cruising, can’t stop, won’t stop moving.” “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
10. “Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I wanna see you be brave.” “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
11. “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end is right, I hope you had the time of your life.” “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
12. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller.” “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
13. “I, I did it all. I, I did it all. I owned every second that this world could give.” “I Lived” by OneRepublic
14. “I’ll spread my wings, and I’ll learn how to fly. I’ll do what it takes till I touch the sky.” Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson
15. “And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be.” “Let It Be” by The Beatles
16. “This is my fight song, take back my life song, prove I’m alright song.” “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
17. “Dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true.” “Dream On” by Aerosmith

Graduation Quotes from Books

1. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
2. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee:
3. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling
4. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
5. “It is not down on any map; true places never are.” “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville
6. “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien
7. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (from his poetry book)
8. “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank
9. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss

More Great Lists:

90 Good Movies to Watch With Your Teen or College Kid (2023)

90 Perfect Mother Son Dance Songs for Weddings

If I were to walk into a room of parents of college-aged kids, and sing “Lolly Lolly Lolly Get your Adverbs Here,” or “Interplanet Janet, She’s a Galaxy Girl,”—I can pretty much guarantee a response. The phenomenon known as Schoolhouse Rock! spanned several decades and we were there when it all began. To me and many others in my generation, it defined our late 70’s/early 80’s childhood.

For us, TV was very different than for our kids, who have hundreds of channels and streaming— instant access to anything they want to watch. Most of us lived in a house where there was one TV (color if you were lucky) that got four channels, and on Saturday mornings, those channels were ours—Scooby Doo, Super Friends (“Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!”), Jabber Jaw, Speed Racer, and Richie Rich were favorites. But to me, the best part of all, was the three and half minute “intermissions” that would include lessons in math, science, history, and grammar—Schoolhouse Rock!

The songs of Schoolhouse Rock are my generation’s playlist

The songs of these cartoon shorts were our playlist. I still know all the lyrics to this day. It’s how my generation learned to recite the preamble to the Constitution (We the people…, In order to from a more perfect union…), can explain how a bill gets passed (I’m Just a Bill…here on Capitol Hill), and knows that without a doubt, a noun is a person, place, or thing (“Well every person that you know, And every place that you can go, And anything that you can show, You know they’re nouns…”). 

In the early seventies, David McCall, owner of a New York advertising agency created the animated series to help his young son learn his multiplication tables (“17 twice is 34, ele-men-tary”). For many of us, Schoolhouse Rock! was just what we needed at just the right time. I mean, sure we learned some things in our other weekend TV viewing—that love always prevails (The Love Boat), that the best summer outfit included Daisy Dukes (Dukes of Hazzard), and not to piss off David Banner (The Incredible Hulk).

And, as history would have it, we would complete our TV education as the teens who would be the original viewers of MTV—an entirely different learning experience all together—thank you Madonna, Wham, and Duran Duran. But it is Schoolhouse Rock! where we learned the important stuff. (“It’s great to learn, cause knowledge is power.”)

I tried to introduce my children to Schoolhouse Rock

I tried to introduce my children to the glory of Schoolhouse Rock! when they were in elementary school. I bought a VSH tape (again, I date myself), …but the simplicity of the animation couldn’t compete with Finding Nemo or Monsters, Inc. 

High School Government classes brought another opportunity to revisit Schoolhouse Rock!—this time to explain the legislative process and I found “I’m Just a Bill” online (now we are in familiar territory) to show my teens. They memorized the preamble with the help of that cartoon, which has definitely been something they have used to their advantage on the first day of history classes, or sometimes as extra credit on a test.

I personally like to throw it out there at social gatherings. Once again, if in a crowd my age, there are usually more than one who will “sing” along with me. See what fun I am at parties?

Today’s kids are more sophisticated for sure. They are watching Stranger Things and reruns of Friends. For their history lessons, they have Hamilton at their fingertips of streaming. Funny, in rewatching “No More Kings” (taxation without representation), I would find it hard to believe that the actor playing Hamilton’s King George III, didn’t make some character choices based on that Schoolhouse Rock cartoon king! Rewatch it.

I bet you’ll agree. As a matter of fact, take some time to watch them all. They are catchy and smart. They are fun and informative. They are our childhood.

Our kids will never understand the television of our generation. And surely by the time they have kids, the childhood viewing that is familiar to them will also be at the very least, very different from today.

There is also the fact that on Saturday mornings, today’s kids are on the soccer field, or at one of the dozen of activities that they engage in every weekend. We, on the other hand, always knew that Saturday mornings were for laying on our couch in our pajamas singing Lolly, Lolly, Lolly.  And then maybe around noon…we’d get dressed…and head outside.

More Great Reading:

Spring Break in the ’80s Versus My Daughter’s Spring Break

After three long years, it finally happened — our house was toilet-papered by the boys’ soccer team. This annual ritual, in which the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams toilet-paper (yes, that is a verb) each other’s houses late at night is a long-time tradition here in our soccer-crazed town.

We have been dreading this night every fall for the past three years. From the day my daughter joined the varsity soccer team, we heard hyped-up stories of extreme toilet-papering-flour spread on lawns, eggs thrown at cars, gardens trampled, calls to the police.

We were alerted that the kids were coming to toilet paper our lawn

The alerts came in via text and Snapchat. “The boys are out papering, they are coming your way!!” Then a little later: “They are at Ella’s now and her dad almost called the police!!” The tension and excitement mounted as we sat near the living room window peeking out (but not so close that anyone could see us —because that would be embarrassing).

My daughter’s phone pinged again. “They’re right around the corner!!”

The boys pulled up in three cars and we heard shouts of laughter. The way those boys threw the toilet paper rolls, you would think they were baseball players. We knew they were finished when we heard their tires screech away.

When we went outside to assess the damage, we saw toilet paper strewn three stories high, over the trees and bushes, lining the sidewalk and the front yard. The boys left partial rolls in the street, then flattened them on their way out. And of course, they got it all on video to delight in later.

Being targeted meant we had been chosen

If I’m honest, though, I hadn’t only felt dread about this prank. I’d also secretly hoped our house would make the list. After all, being targeted means you have been chosen: You are included, you matter. There is an honor in being the victim of this particular prank.

As a parent, I’ve become familiar with holding hope and dread simultaneously. I feel both the hope that my daughter’s soccer team makes it to the championships and the dread of the aftermath if they lose. The hope she will get into a college she loves and the dread if she doesn’t.

The hope she will get her driver’s license, the dread she won’t make it home one night. The hope she will be independent, the dread she will move far away. The hope that her generation will be able to fix the problems we have foisted on them and the dread that it is already too late.

Parenting is learning to balance holding on and letting go

Because parenting a teenager can be stressful and challenge us to the core, it’s sometimes hard to remember all the work we have done to lay a strong foundation for our kids. Even though I’ve done this before, I’m relearning the delicate dance of simultaneously holding on and letting go. I remind myself that I’ve faced different versions of this dance — helping my daughter learn to walk, sending her to kindergarten, dropping her off at summer camp for the first time.

I try to remember all the ways I have taught my daughter to be safe and independent already. If I can manage my anxiety, I can turn dread into trust — and armed with trust, I can enjoy the hope and the joy just a bit more.

We need not have dreaded the toilet papering

After the boys’ soccer team left their mark, it turned out all the toilet papering dread wasn’t necessary. No flowers got trampled, no cops were called, no neighbors offended. The cleanup didn’t take long. We’ll have to wait for a strong rain to wash the rest of the toilet paper out of the highest branches of our trees but every day, another few strands float lazily to the ground.

We managed to salvage 17 partial rolls of toilet paper that were left behind when the boys made a hasty departure. I’ve saved them all and will be sure my daughter takes them with her next Saturday night when she and her teammates go out for a ride around town. I wish them luck staying safe, while exacting the sweetest kind of revenge.

More Great Reading:

When Parents Cannot Say No to Their Adult Children

I can generally tell when our youngest child’s birthday is nearing by the battle between my husband and me regarding whether or not it’s time to turn on our heat. For some time now, on the dry-erase board that houses a variety of lists (to-do, to buy, to remember, to pretend), the phrase “Print Adult Paperwork” has loomed.

When I first wrote it, it was for a time well into the future and for an event that I laughed off with a wave. Today, that necessity is here, and I’m not laughing. Okay, I’m still laughing a little bit but mostly I’m all over the parental emotional map. Tears? Yes. Nostalgia? Yes. Pride? Yes. Laughter? Yes. Panic? Yes. But, I suppose the most consistent feeling is “Oh, that was not enough time! Just a little more, please!’

Our son just turned 18

Two days ago, our youngest child hit the magical age of eighteen. Of course, that shift is a blurry one as we woke up the following day to find that this boy (all boy) still hadn’t cleaned his room, left fresh whiskers on the bathroom sink, couldn’t find his misplaced canoe-sized sneakers, was ravenous (well, yeah, he slept through both breakfast and brunch), and had yet to firm up a job for the current school year (the one that started ten weeks ago). 

Adult? Kind of. My husband and I are confidently prepared for the coming rounds of “I’m an adult now!” 

This is thanks to our oldest child and a variety of previous practice perfecting conversation-canceling responses. What worked best? Oh, that’s simple. In response to that “I’m an adult”pushback, we ask, “Perfect! Tell us about all the adult things you are doing and maybe we can talk about canceling curfew.” 

What always comes next is a very short list (from the child) that we (the parents) counter with things like “Aren’t you still eating our food for free, living in our home at no cost, enjoying an allowance, utilizing each of our insurance plans and…do you want us to go on? No? Ah, maybe not quite fully adulting yet, then.”

In our home, turning into an ‘adult’ doesn’t mean you can now disrespect your parents

I know that sounds harsh but, in our home, being an adult doesn’t come with a coupon to treat your family with less respect. So, yes, I am fully aware that we are about to embark on a final round of curfew controversy, and location services debates, dinner attendance pushback, and more.

But that Adult Paperwork? Not up for discussion.  

When I wrote “Print Adult Paperwork” on the whiteboard, I had no idea that our youngest had no idea what that meant. I sort of just assumed his sibling had told him all about it with a gigantic eye-roll three years ago when it was their turn.

Last week, my son flopped onto the couch in my office and asked, with the snark of a seventeen-year-old proclaiming personal offense, “So what is this Adult Paperwork? What does that even mean?” 

And so I explained in my softest voice about how life can sometimes go sideways with a flash and how we, his parents, would soon need his permission to advocate for him. Soon, the printer was grinding out the paperwork and we will sign those pages before delivering them to our safety deposit box. 

Why should parents insist on ‘Adult Paperwork?’

So what is Adult Paperwork? And why must you insist on it? And will your child flip the heck out when asked to sign? Maybe. Make it more palatable by showing them your own (Dear Lord, please have your own).

Did you know that if, after turning 18, your child becomes ill or hospitalized, you lose the right to information regarding their situation?

The paperwork you need when your child turns 18

1. HIPPA Authorization

The instant your child turns 18, you lose the right, as a parent, to gain access to (or make decisions about) their healthcare. No big deal, right? You didn’t want to attend any more vaccinations or physicals anyway.

Your child may suddenly just “go dark” while at college. You may think they are out making new friends or deep into studying … and then … a phone call from the school informs you that there is a medical issue. Imagine calling the hospital, frantically, only to be told that they cannot give you any details because this child, your child, is an adult by law.

Perhaps your child has had a mental breakdown. Perhaps they are in surgery. Perhaps they are in a coma. You are lost, devastated, terrified…and you have no way to get in. 

The HIPPA Authorization is your key to that medical door. 

2. Advanced Medical Directive/Living Will 

End-of-life decisions are a horrible thing to have to think about, especially when it comes to our children. How could we ever face a doctor asking us if our child had preferences on organ donation or final wishes?

Baby adults are reckless, perhaps the most reckless of all adults. Accidents do happen. Illnesses do arrive. End-of-life preferences are horrible to think about yet we must, as parents, talk to our children about them. Until your child finds a life partner, the gift of honoring their last wishes will be in your hands. 

The Advanced Medical Directive offers you the ability to give that gift.

3. Power of Attorney

Many are quite familiar with this document but many do not use it for fear that someone will swoop inappropriately. The POA is not like a free pass or coupon to be waived for use. Receivers do not accept the POA willy-nilly–instead, it is accepted only for specific situations. 

We want nothing more, as parents, than for our baby adults to make responsible decisions all by their baby adult selves. Should they become unable to (for medical reasons, not because they are just, well, you know … ), we, as parents, will likely be next in line–but we can only be next in line with a POA. 

The Power of Attorney appoints you as a decision-making agent for your child.​​​​​​​​​​

Hoping nothing bad happens won’t prevent something from happening

Thinking “That won’t happen to us” will not prevent tragic events from happening. Right now, in the hospital closest to you, an Intensive Care Unit is full of people who also thought it would never happen to them. I used to think that as well, actually. Then my brother was in a horrific accident and the “who is in control here” arguments erupted almost immediately. We are still dealing with the fallout of those arguments nearly a decade later, though my brother did survive.

The simple truth is that you cannot ignore the reality that extraordinarily terrible events do happen. Is it morbid? Yes. Will you feel nosy placing these forms in front of your newly minted adult? Probably. Will your newly minted adult think you are in their business? For sure.

Are these forms critical? YES.

If you are still thinking “Okay, but my child would never keep health issues from me or block me from access…” try again, for two reasons: a) yes, they would; b) they especially would if they are incapacitated.

Lightning did strike twice in our home when our eldest child had a mental health crisis. When they signed these forms, they weren’t happy about it. We had no idea that a few short years later we would be needed those documents in order to successfully start the process of getting them well. I have zero doubt that without that ability, our lives would have taken a much different and sad turn.

Where can you find these forms? An internet search can lead you to them. Grown and Flown recommends Mama Bear Legal forms as we are an affiliate.

Some other arguments that are about to erupt in your now-full-of-adults household?

• Curfew: Yes, it will still be enforced. More flexibility? Sure. But my mom-senses do not allow me to sleep until I know everyone who is coming home, is home. 
• Location Services: Turned on, period. Do I really care where my child is? Typically not. Honestly, I’m too lazy to check. But if things do go sideways, we need to be able to track that last location. If my child pushes back? I mean, sadly, I can just turn on the news to show them just how sideways things can go.
• Dinner RSVPs: This is where we differ from many families but, yes, we do insist on a heads-up if any of our at-home children will not be home for dinner. We love a family dinner at the table. We do not love cooking a family dinner only to have the family not show up with no notice. Food is expensive. My time? Even more valuable. 

Raising children is not easy. When they do cross that magical line to adulthood? Also, not easy. It comes quickly and we are often surprised at how not ready we are to watch them leave the nest. Our children will tell us differently but, we are still the boss of them though in a much different form.

In the matter of a health crisis? This is crucial.

More Great Reading:

The Legal Documents You Need When Your Child Turns 18

Mama Bear Legal Forms: Follow the Grown and Flown link and get 20% off the documents you need. (Editor’s note: We have used Mama Bear’s Legal forms. It was easy, quick, and inexpensive. Grown and Flown is an affiliate)

I can generally tell when our youngest child’s birthday is nearing by the battle between my husband and me regarding whether or not it’s time to turn on our heat. For some time now, on the dry-erase board that houses a variety of lists (to-do, to buy, to remember, to pretend), the phrase “Print Adult Paperwork” has loomed.

When I first wrote it, it was for a time well into the future and for an event that I laughed off with a wave. Today, that necessity is here, and I’m not laughing. Okay, I’m still laughing a bit, but mostly, I’m all over the parental emotional map. Tears? Yes. Nostalgia? Yes. Pride? Yes. Laughter? Yes. Panic? Yes. But I suppose the most consistent feeling is, “Oh, that was not enough time! Just a little more, please!’

Our son just turned 18

Two days ago, our youngest child hit the magical age of eighteen. Of course, that shift is a blurry one as we woke up the following day to find that this boy (all boy) still hadn’t cleaned his room, left fresh whiskers on the bathroom sink, couldn’t find his misplaced canoe-sized sneakers, was ravenous (well, yeah, he slept through both breakfast and brunch), and had yet to firm up a job for the current school year (the one that started ten weeks ago). 

Adult? Kind of. My husband and I are confidently prepared for the coming rounds of “I’m an adult now!” 

This is thanks to our oldest child and various previous practices perfecting conversation-canceling responses. What worked best? Oh, that’s simple. In response to that “I’m an adult” pushback, we ask, “Perfect! Tell us about all the adult things you are doing, and maybe we can talk about canceling curfew.” 

What always comes next is a concise list (from the child) that we (the parents) counter with things like “Aren’t you still eating our food for free, living in our home at no cost, enjoying an allowance, utilizing each of our insurance plans and…do you want us to go on? No? Ah, maybe not quite fully adulting yet, then.”

In our home, turning into an ‘adult’ doesn’t mean you can now disrespect your parents

I know that sounds harsh, but in our home, being an adult doesn’t come with a coupon to treat your family with less respect. So, yes, I am fully aware that we are about to embark on a final round of curfew controversy, location services debates, dinner attendance pushback, and more.

But that Adult Paperwork? Not up for discussion.  

When I wrote “Print Adult Paperwork” on the whiteboard, I had no idea our youngest knew what that meant. I assumed his sibling had told him about it with a gigantic eye-roll three years ago when it was their turn.

Last week, my son flopped onto the couch in my office and asked, with the snark of a seventeen-year-old proclaiming personal offense, “So what is this Adult Paperwork? What does that even mean?” 

And so I explained in my softest voice that life can sometimes go sideways in a flash and that we, his parents, would soon need his permission to advocate for him. Soon, the printer was grinding out the paperwork, and we would sign those pages before delivering them to our safety deposit box. 

Why should parents insist on ‘Adult Paperwork?’

So, what is Adult Paperwork? And why must you insist on it? And will your child flip the heck out when asked to sign? Maybe. Make it palatable by showing them your own (Dear Lord, please have your own).

Did you know that if, after turning 18, your child becomes ill or hospitalized, you lose the right to information regarding their situation?

The paperwork you need when your child turns 18

1. HIPPA Authorization

The instant your child turns 18, you lose the right, as a parent, to gain access to (or make decisions about) their healthcare. No big deal, right? You didn’t want to attend any more vaccinations or physicals anyway.

Your child may suddenly just “go dark” while at college. You may think they are out making new friends or deep into studying … and then … a phone call from the school informs you that there is a medical issue. Imagine calling the hospital frantically, only to be told that they cannot give you any details because this child, your child, is an adult by law.

Perhaps your child has had a mental breakdown. Perhaps they are in surgery. Perhaps they are in a coma. You are lost, devastated, terrified…and cannot get in. 

The HIPPA Authorization is your key to that medical door. 

2. Advanced Medical Directive/Living Will 

End-of-life decisions are a horrible thing to have to think about, especially when it comes to our children. How could we ever face a doctor asking us if our child had preferences on organ donation or final wishes?

Baby adults are reckless, perhaps the most reckless of all adults. Accidents do happen. Illnesses do arrive. End-of-life preferences are horrible to think about, yet we must, as parents, talk to our children about them. Until your child finds a life partner, honoring their last wishes will be in your hands. 

The Advanced Medical Directive offers you the ability to give that gift.

3. Power of Attorney

Many are quite familiar with this document but do not use it for fear that someone will swoop inappropriately. The POA is not like a free pass or coupon to be waived for use. Receivers do not accept the POA willy-nilly; it is accepted only for specific situations. 

We want nothing more, as parents, than for our baby adults to make responsible decisions all by their baby adult selves. Should they become unable to (for medical reasons, not because they are just, well, you know … ), we, as parents, will likely be next in line–but we can only be next in line with a POA. 

The Power of Attorney appoints you as a decision-making agent for your child.​​​​​​​​​​

Hoping nothing bad happens won’t prevent something from happening

Thinking “That won’t happen to us” will not prevent tragic events from happening. Right now, in the hospital closest to you, an Intensive Care Unit is full of people who also thought it would never happen to them. I used to think that as well, actually. Then my brother was in a horrific accident, and the “who is in control here” arguments erupted almost immediately. We are still dealing with the fallout of those arguments nearly a decade later, though my brother did survive.

The simple truth is that you cannot ignore the reality that extraordinarily terrible events happen. Is it morbid? Yes. Will you feel nosy placing these forms before your newly minted adult? Probably. Will your newly minted adult think you are in their business? For sure.

Are these forms critical? YES.

If you are still thinking, “Okay, but my child would never keep health issues from me or block me from access…” try again for two reasons: a) yes, they would; b) they especially would if they are incapacitated.

Lightning did strike twice in our home when our eldest child had a mental health crisis. When they signed these forms, they weren’t happy about it. We had no idea that a few short years later, we would need those documents to start getting them well successfully. I have zero doubt that without that ability, our lives would have taken a much different and sad turn.

Where can you find these forms? An internet search can lead you to them. Grown and Flown recommends Mama Bear Legal forms as we are an affiliate.

Some other arguments that are about to erupt in your now-full-of-adults household?

• Curfew: Yes, it will still be enforced. More flexibility? Sure. But my mom-senses do not allow me to sleep until I know everyone coming home is home. 
• Location Services: Turned on, period. Do I really care where my child is? Typically not. Honestly, I’m too lazy to check. But if things do go sideways, we need to be able to track that last location. If my child pushes back? I mean, sadly, I can just turn on the news to show them just how sideways things can go.
• Dinner RSVPs: This is where we differ from many families, but we insist on a heads-up if any of our at-home children will not be home for dinner. We love a family dinner at the table. We do not love cooking a family dinner only to have the family not show up without notice. Food is expensive. My time? Even more valuable. 

Raising children is not easy. When do they cross that magical line to adulthood? Also, not easy. It comes quickly, and we are often surprised at how not ready we are to watch them leave the nest. Our children will tell us differently, but we are still their boss in a different form.

In the matter of a health crisis? This is crucial.

More Great Reading:

The Legal Documents You Need When Your Child Turns 18

Mama Bear Legal Forms: Follow the Grown and Flown link and get 20% off your needed documents. (Editor’s note: We have used Mama Bear’s Legal forms. It was easy, quick, and inexpensive. Grown and Flown is an affiliate)

Three notes into Pomp and Circumstance, and I was a sobbing mess. The iconic high school graduation song can reduce any parent to tears. But we went looking for more modern versions of this timeless tear-jerker, and here are the graduation songs we found.

If you want to make a video or create a graduation playlist for your end-of-year grad party, here are our suggestions: 18 more great ideas for graduation songs. 

Here are Our Favorite Graduation Songs

Anna Kendrick – Cups (Pitch Perfect’s “When I’m Gone”)

Best Line: “You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.” Does it get more wrenching than that?

Fun – We Are Young

Best Line: The chorus “We are young. So let’s set the world on fire. We can burn brighter than the sun”

Graduation (Friends Forever) – Vitamin C HD

Best Line:  “As we go on, we remember. All the times we had together. And as our lives change, come whatever. We will still be friends forever.”  This one had me crying just putting this together; I defy you to listen dry-eyed.

Tim McGraw – Humble And Kind 

Best Line: “I know you got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind.”

Give Me Freedom Give Me Fire by K’naan- Anthem of FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa

Best Line: “Staying forever young, singin’ songs underneath the sun.” A song to get everyone on their feet.

Jason Mraz – 93 Million Miles

Best Line: ” ‘She told me, “Son, in life you’re gonna go far, and if you do it right, you’ll love where you are. Just know, that wherever you go, you can always come home.’ “

Alphaville – Forever Young

Best line: “It’s so hard to get old without a cause. I don’t want to perish like a fading horse. Youth’s like diamonds in the sun, And diamonds are forever.”

Matt Simons – You Can Come Back Home

Best Line: “Today we say goodbye so you can come back home again.”

Here are more graduation ideas you may love:

High School Graduation Gifts for Him- He Will Love These!

21 Absolutely Fabulous High School Graduation Gifts for Her

Graduation Party Ideas: How to Celebrate for Your Senior’s Big Day

Published: November 10, 2023 | Last Updated on: November 11, 2023
| by Hema

Say goodbye to synthetic solutions and hello to a more wholesome way to ease congestion!

Here is the best natural inhaler remedy to cold for your kids which can make your baby feel better during those sniffle-filled days. Get ready to discover the best natural inhaler for colds for kids – a gentle, effective, and parent-approved solution to keep those stuffy noses at bay!

Bid farewell to those persistent sniffles and welcome a gentle, effective solution that ensures your little ones breathe easy and feel better. Dive into the realm of natural healing and discover how nature’s wonders can alleviate common cold symptoms, providing comfort and relief for your children. Join us as we unravel the secrets of this soothing remedy, offering a holistic approach to wellness that prioritizes the health and happiness of your kids.

Natural Inhaler to Cold

Ajwain garlic cloves potli, a perfect remedy for cold, is suitable for babies 6 months and older. It brings relief from cough, cold, and nasal congestion, serving as a natural inhaler to ease discomfort. The blend of ajwain and garlic creates a soothing aroma that helps alleviate respiratory issues. Simple to prepare, this potli is a gentle and effective solution for your little one’s well-being. The natural properties of ajwain and garlic work synergistically to provide comfort during cold symptoms. Use it as a safe and natural inhaler for babies to breathe easier. This remedy is a holistic approach to addressing common cold issues in infants, ensuring their health and comfort.

Let’s see how to make this potli at home

Ingredients

• 1 Small cup of Ajwain seeds
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 3 Cloves
• A Muslin Cloth

Method

• Place the garlic, cloves, and ajwain seeds in a pan and gently roast them over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until a delightful aroma fills the air.
• Once it’s either lukewarm/ cooled transfer the roasted ingredients to a muslin cloth.

• Wrap the cloth,tie a knot to make a potli.

• Ajwain garlic cloves potli is ready.

How to use this natural inhaler for babies and kids for cold and cough?

• For babies: Place the ajwain garlic clove potli at a safe distance from their bedding. Inhaling the soothing fumes can help alleviate nasal congestion, cough, and cold.

• For older children and kids: Warm the ajwain garlic clove potli and use it as a warm compress on their chest, back, feet, and palms to provide relief from cold and damp cough symptoms. This simple home remedy can offer comfort to your little ones.

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The Natural Inhaler Remedy to Cold for your Kids

In this blog, we're about to share The Natural Inhaler Remedy to Cold for your kids which is Effective Solutions to breathe easier

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Ingredients

• 1 small cup Ajwain seeds
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 3 cloves
• 1 Muslin Cloth

Instructions

• Place the garlic, cloves, and ajwain seeds in a pan and gently roast them over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until a delightful aroma fills the air.

• Once it's either lukewarm/ cooled transfer the roasted ingredients to a muslin cloth.

• Wrap the cloth,tie a knot to make a potli.

• Ajwain garlic cloves potli is ready.