Senior Year Sticker Shock

My emotions this year are worse than a run-away roller coaster. I have a Senior. One moment, I'm smiling with pride at what a fine young man he's become...er, becoming (he's still a teen, so even though he does grown up things, he still reverts and does absurd teen things, too). The next moment I'm in tears, my baby has grown up, his school years over soon. A few moments later I'm ticked.

Yes, I get frustrated at times with the teen behavior, but lately my main frustrations are from Sticker Shock.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely naive. I knew this would be an expensive year. I just didn't realize how many petty fees were involved. It's the petty fees that have me in a tizzy.

In October, my son brought home the graduation order packet. I cried, howevermy eyes quickly dried once I read the packet. My first rude awakening: We have to buy the cap and gown. I don't understand the point. I'm a bargain shopper. I look for the best deal I can find. The cap and gown cost twice what my last pair of pants cost. And, I'm getting more than a few hours usage from my pants.

The other petty fee? Graduation announcements. I understand the cost of foil embossed cards announcing my child's success. However, I would be more receptive and spend more if the company didn't make petty moves to increase their sales. For example, you get 30 announcement cards. If you would like the parchment-like inserts for a more classic look, you can buy them, but they come in a quantity of 25. So if I only need 30 cards, I have to buy 50 inserts, 20 of which will be used for baking cookies I guess. Is it really too much to ask for items that go together to be sold in the same quantity? Even the hot dog people got it together with the bun people.

The last shock (I hope it's the last) which saddened me, $50 to put a baby picture in the yearbook. I looked forward to the day I'd get to pick a baby picture of my son for the yearbook. I think most of us do. We put in a lot of work raising our children, we get a lot of heartache, too. We want to open that yearbook and see them way back when and what they've become, and we want othersto see that difference, as well. I believe all parents should have this moment; preferably free, but even a more modest fee would be acceptable.

I'm proud of my child, my tears ebb and flow, or flow and ebb. My frustration is high and it comes and gos. I will try to justify some of the fees (senior pictures), but in the end, I want my frustrations to be because of low-brain-cell teen moments. Greedy companies will be always be around, but my son's final years of teen hood will be over soon. I'm hopping off my high horse and changing my focus to where it really matters.

Maybe I should take stock in a tissue company.