Words of encouragment/advice for son graduating that's been thru hell?

I'd like to show/tell him how proud of him I am. He's been thru some very rough times (divorce, moving a lot, death of loved ones, mental and physical abuse, not from me of course!!) and I want to tell him how well he's turned out after all he went thru!!! He's the 1st one in family to go to college!Words of encouragment/advice for son graduating that's been thru hell?
Hey Bigmama - congratulations to your son (and to you)! I think a simple sit down between the two of you either at home or over a dinner at some restaurant should accomplish your goal. If it is at home - have some coffee and use the morning or evening (your choice) when no one is on the ';rush'; or the ';go';. If you go to some restaurant an evening where the crowds won't show up, i.e. choose a Mon-Wed as opposed to a Fri-Sun.





Either way a simple momento that allows him to keep something to remember the conversation by - something that will last and be a special memory for him (these things do not have to cost a lot or be big ticket items - just something lasting - you choose as you know your son best and his likes or dislikes - consider even taking a camera to have the waiter or someone take a photo of the two of you, then YOU keep that photo in a special place to give to him after he graduates!).





Life can deal some hard blows to good people - glad to see we still have people that can rise above the garbage it can bring. A mere suggestion - as you congratulate him on his accomplishments do not linger too much on what he has been through but focus your conversation on him, his goals, how proud you are of him, and what the world will offer him as he leaves college later - tell him to take a couple of Spring Vacations with friends as well.





Job well done Mom! In the past things were out of your control - so NO BEAT UP ON ONESELF ALLOWED FOR YOU EITHER! Let him bring home his laundry from time to time, and ask him to share his most important papers with you - he might think this is corny now - but that little toddler you once held is the young man on his road.





Speaking from a little experience in this matter.





Best of luck to you and your boy!Words of encouragment/advice for son graduating that's been thru hell?
Let him know that the trials and tribulations which he had to surpass all happened to make him the strong man that he has become. Sometimes we have to hit bumpy roads to remind us that there are good times ahead of us so keep on riding through the bumpy roads... You can't get stuck cuz you'll never get to where you must go...
First to go to college! Hats off to him!!!!! You should be proud!!! : )
buy him a really nice journal as a gift and write how you feel in it. He can keep it forever and remember the rough times and how he made it so far. If he feels up to it he can express himself in it when he feels ready!


* Maybe stick a gift card in it to his favorite store as well!