https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:44:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2555502 Tue, 24 May 2016 13:00:13 +0000 alphagam84 2555502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you just bring her to the area you'll be sitting for graduation and hold her and feed her as needed? Provided she doesn't cry much it could work and it'd be super cute in my opinion for you to get your diploma while holding your newborn! And I would not get there before 8:30, tell them you have a baby and that earlier time is impossible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2555125 Mon, 23 May 2016 23:33:34 +0000 birdofafeather 2555125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: lots of good ideas above but just want to say congrats!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2555122 Mon, 23 May 2016 23:23:29 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2555122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: congratulations! :happy: </p> <p>Still have that cookout and cake! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2555096 Mon, 23 May 2016 22:17:43 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2555096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: thank you !! I'm so glad I finished before having second LO 😂🎉 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554931 Mon, 23 May 2016 18:48:19 +0000 erinbaderin 2554931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I agree. Have your husband text you the first time, and then just stay out until it's almost time for them to call your name. Then you're not feeling like you're being disruptive but you still get to go. </p> <p>And congratulations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554910 Mon, 23 May 2016 17:36:47 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2554910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: thank you! And i can totally see my parents not seeing me and cheering the wrong person :p<br /> @Foodnerd81: It's this Friday so not enough time to really work on the bottle. We haven't pushed it because I don't go back to work for a while!<br /> @psw27: omg hung over at the ceremony lol!<br /> @brownepiano: @Corduroy: @Mamaof2:<br /> my MIL is our go-to with the toddler, and she's away for the week. Just my luck!! My dad has heart issues and stresses easily so I wouldn't want to leave him with toddler. Plus I do'nt trust that she'd run off in this huge arena and he could get her. And my mom has a different condition so I can't burden her with toddler either. Gah :*( But I might be able to convince my sister to go! She's a late riser, like super embarrassing late. But maybe she'll get her act together for my graduation, I HOPE!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: True! they don't have to know how long I'm away! And good call on asking about the 7 am thing.<br /> @JoyfulKiwi: YES good idea. Peacing out right after haha. I have a feeling they leave it for last, and on the phone they told me my college was the last school. UGH.<br /> @sunnyday: this is really helpful, thanks! yes I kind of asked if there was somewhere I could hang around and wait and they didn't want to do that. BUT if I kind of see where it's going down and request it day of, it might be different especially if baby is with me<br /> @pastemoo: thank you! Yes it's a super long ceremony. yeesh!<br /> @Truth Bombs: @ElbieKay: on the phone they were pretty adamant about me not sitting with the baby in the seats, even though I didn't even suggest it to them. grr.<br /> @Anagram: I think that this idea is most appealing, ducking out and just coming back when my row is near! @FancyGem: thanks! It's great to know that this has worked!<br /> @2PeasinaPod: @jedeve: @ElbieKay: thanks! Yes this idea has been most appealing (leaving and then coming back when my row is near)!<br /> @gingerbebe: thank you! and you're right - they don't even give you the actual "real" diploma until August I think. It's just the holder I think. LOL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554859 Mon, 23 May 2016 15:41:14 +0000 gingerbebe 2554859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just bring the baby with me and BF right there. DH just graduated Saturday and he showed up an hour late for line up (it was 2 hours before the actual ceremony, it was fine) and they said you couldn't walk with your kids and a bunch of people were like whatever and dressed their toddlers up in a cap and gown and walked with their kids! I think a mom with a baby in a wrap would be way less intrusive. If anything give the person next to you in line up your cell number and ask them to text you if you have to step away for some reason and they will probably help you out. And definitely peace out after you get your diploma (if they even actually give you your real diploma at the stupid graduation which most of the time they don't!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554854 Mon, 23 May 2016 15:28:51 +0000 jedeve 2554854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What if you walk in, leave when the baby needs fed, sit with your DH, and only return when it's almost time for your name? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554838 Mon, 23 May 2016 15:09:21 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2554838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go, have DH text me when the baby is hungry, go back and feed her, and hang out until it's time for names. Then top her off, and head back to my seat once they get close to my name. </p> <p>I think you're overthinking this. No one is going to care if you leave your seat and come back. I've done it, friends have done it, my brother did it when he graduated with his MBA last year - it's no big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554834 Mon, 23 May 2016 15:05:28 +0000 ElbieKay 2554834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why don't you just wear the baby over your gown and feed her when necessary? I have seen lots of photos of people walking at graduation with their children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554768 Mon, 23 May 2016 14:05:05 +0000 psw27 2554768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Our main speaker was awesome, but there were 3-4 others I could have lived without! You're right though, we had 8,000 graduates and I was a W so it was taking forever ever ever... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554767 Mon, 23 May 2016 14:03:57 +0000 FancyGem 2554767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! I graduated with my master's when my son was about your baby's age. He wouldn't take a bottle, but I pumped right before I went in to graduate. My husband had the bottle just in case and I had my phone near by if I needed to step out. I don't remember leaving to go nurse him. I nursed him as soon as I got back in the car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554762 Mon, 23 May 2016 14:00:31 +0000 Anagram 2554762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go and feed the baby. These big university graduations are SUPER BORING and everyone is only waiting to see the person they know cross the stage. No one will care if you leave after all the grads are seated and come back a row or two before your name is called. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554759 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:59:27 +0000 Truth Bombs 2554759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you baby wear for the ceremony and just nurse with a cover in your seat if need be? 9 week olds are pretty portable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554751 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:55:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2554751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: I thought some of the speeches were interesting but the list of names drags on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554750 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:54:46 +0000 psw27 2554750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and good suggestion about peacing out the moment you get your diploma... like, get that thing and get out of there! The speeches blab on forever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554746 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:52:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2554746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also I would ask about the requirement to be there at 7 am. Do they lock the doors at 7 if you aren't there? What if you were late and go there by say 8am? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554745 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:52:21 +0000 pastemoo 2554745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Oh, yes! Get a babysitter for the toddler! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554742 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:51:08 +0000 pastemoo 2554742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: I'd go with their suggestion to feed on demand and leave often... or bring her in your arms and leave when she needs a diaper change and have a baby carrier on hand.<br /> What a long time to keep you there!<br /> This is a huge deal! Go. Walk across that stage mama. You earned this. Congratulations!</p> <p>@psw27: LOL about the hungover people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554739 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:46:43 +0000 sunnyday 2554739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work at a university and am on the floor for all four of our ceremonies. I plan events for the same uni too, and have seen all sorts of accommodations made, and definitely for nursing Mom's!</p> <p>Day-of, I would bring baby to gowning (where you have to be super early to get gown, hood, and lined up) and explain. They would either let you take babes into gowning, or perhaps for fear of spit up on others gowns, let you "be late" knowing you are around. I assume you would get position person like me who is the last staffer people see before walking onto ceremony floor, you could stay over in a spot with babes until you need to hand off, jump into line and process out.</p> <p>Maybe they can give you an out of order end row spot if need be, so long as you know where you need to jump in to go on stage.</p> <p>I wouldn't miss it! Seriously the insane requests we receive from people, it would be great for you to participate in your ceremony! Realistically the most important time for you is in, walk stage, walk out (maybe?) and so long as you got to walk stage, you could excuse yourself after that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554737 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:43:53 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2554737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations! If it were me, I'd have DH text me like they suggested. I'd see if they could get seats on an aisle, so they have more space &amp; bring toys my toddler loved (I.e. iPad). I feel like it wouldn't be that disruptive, especially if you could also sit on the aisle. You can always cut out after you walk if it's stressful, because no one will know the difference between "going to the bathroom" and "leaving".<br /> My daughter started daycare at 8 weeks, and is in the same building as my preschool class. I nurse her on demand and it's been breezy. They notice she's hungry, call me, someone comes to cover my room &amp; I pop out for 20 minutes. So there suggestion might work after all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554735 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:42:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2554735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your DH texts you to go feed the baby, who says you have to go back to your seat? I would go and walk and then have DH text you and leave after your name. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554724 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:32:35 +0000 Mamaof2 2554724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: can someone watch your toddler and DH can come to the graduation with the NB? I am sure he would love to see you walk across that stage too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554723 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:32:04 +0000 Corduroy 2554723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations! Since it sounds important to you I would take the school's suggestion to duck out when you need to feed your baby. Can someone go with DH so he's not alone with both?</p> <p>Alternatively I think a party would be more fun. Neither DH nor I went to our graduations just because we didn't want to sit through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554721 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:31:23 +0000 psw27 2554721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations! </p> <p>If you want to go, don't worry about be disruptive or getting up. Graduations are SO boring. At my graduation, the girl behind me threw up cause she was so hungover - no one is paying attention I swear. </p> <p>BUT, a cookout and cake sounds amazing! So do that as well :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554720 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:30:25 +0000 brownepiano 2554720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You should definitely celebrate!<br /> Some ideas if you want to try to walk: Is there any family/friends that could come and help so you can go to the graduation? Maybe they could watch the toddler (either at the venue, coming for just the ceremony, or somewhere else) and DH could bring the newborn. Even though you usually feed on demand, you could try planning out a feeding schedule (say 6:30 before your check in time, 8:30 or 9 before you go out and sit, and then right after you are done). </p> <p>If not, I'd definitely plan a party, get some pictures done with your cap and gown, display your diploma and celebrate! Walking feels like a big deal, but it tends to be long and boring. Your friends and family would probably love to come celebrate your achievement, with or without the ceremony. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554716 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:28:13 +0000 Foodnerd81 2554716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When is this? How old will the baby be? And do you want her to take a bottle for other times or is this really the only time it will come into play? </p> <p>If you really want her to take it anyway I would at least try to work on it before writing off the ceremony altogether. And I don't think leaving to nurse her a couple of times would be that bad either- that's probably what I would do myself. You do deserve this! But yes newborns make things harder! And graduation ceremonies can be pretty darn boring... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554715 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:27:59 +0000 Happygal 2554715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First of all-congrats! Such a big milestone. Way to go.</p> <p>I would skip the ceremony b/c I would be too anxious about the baby to relax and enjoy it. And having been to many of these things now, past your moment of glory, they're kind of boring. I remember my parents cheering for the wrong person b/c they were far away and couldn't really tell who was who. Ha! But definitely have a party and wear that cap and gown! Get someone with a nice camera to get lots of pictures of you in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bummed-i-might-have-to-skip-commencement-ebf-baby-long-ceremony#post-2554700 Mon, 23 May 2016 13:15:36 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2554700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I finally finished school after taking two classes per semester since 2010, finishing a Bachelor's that I started a thousand years ago but took a hiatus from. haha. I was pregnant with LO1 and taking on-campus classes, and took online classes on maternity leave, and then taking on-campus EVENING classes after a full work day when pregnant with LO2. In other words, I busted my ass! And the entire time I didn't think I would ever get to "walk the stage," but I stuck it through and finished. YES.</p> <p>However I don't think I can go to commencement! First, they want graduates there at 7 a.m. (crazy!!) The ceremony starts at 9:30 am, and it's in a sports/concert arena. (indoors/air conditioned at least.) It goes until about 1 pm I was told. They have all of us sitting in the center in rows of seats, where the basketball games happen etc., and guests are in the audience seats. My concern is that it will drag on forever, and my 9-week old doesn't take a bottle. So she'd be miserable and hungry if she stayed home with DH, and he'd have to manage her AND our difficult 2-year old alone. He's more than willing of course, I'm just picturing his patience wearing thin with the toddler if she tantrums/cries etc., while the baby cries because she's hungry, and it just being a terrible day for all of them. (I have PPA which I know comes into play with this imagined scenario .)</p> <p>I asked the University if there's any way I can sit and wait elsewhere instead of The Graduate Chair Pit, but they said I should sit with my class and then just have my DH text me if/when the baby cried. Then I could leave, feed her, and come back. That it would be "just like if you had to get up to go to the bathroom." I just feel like that's too crazy - going in and out I dunno. I'd say disruptive too since she feeds on demand and can feed a bunch in a span of just one hour let alone the entire ceremony. So don't worry, I'm not leaning toward this option. Too disruptive/crazy/annoying/difficult.<br /> So I'd either have DH stay home and Mayyyybe be ok from 7 am til I got home around 2 or 3 pm. Or just skip it.</p> <p>I'm torn! </p> <p>If I skip it, I was trying to think of a way to celebrate my graduation with cap and gown, because damnit that means a lot to me. FInally earning the right to wear it. Maybe just have a celebration cook-out with family close friends and drinks? And I could wear the cap and gown for some photos and have a cake? Actually that's sounding better by the minute haha. </p> <p>What do you bees think? Any creative ideas or similar situations? </p>