Parenting and Family
How should we understand a child's sadness when a long-awaited graduation event may be canceled?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
I understand a child's sadness. Graduation is more than an event; it is an important shared memory with classmates. Supporting acceptance of change begins with understanding what they find hard to lose.
During the pandemic, Qian Qian was in sixth grade and the school had not announced whether graduation would be online or canceled. She was close to her classmates and saddened by possibly not graduating together as hoped. Classmates suggested meeting later to celebrate if canceled, once conditions improved. But another plan did not erase present sadness.
We discussed how graduation, sports days, and school anniversaries become strong school memories. Performances and competitions also bring hopes that family will attend. Elementary school in particular cannot be repeated in exactly the same way once passed. I too felt helpless about such changes and understood why children cared.
Yet life does not always follow our wishes. When circumstances change, face what is before you and consider adjustments. Children gradually need to learn this too. Helping acceptance can coexist with understanding sadness. Explaining principles should not brush aside their affection for classmates and that part of life.