Do I just need to go off social media for a year??

[Anonymous]

My oldest is a rising Senior and some of their classmates have started to post their (VERY) impressive commitments to elite colleges for athletics. I know it's only going to get worse over the next couple of months as the non-athletes start getting acceptances as well.

The smart and rational half of my brain wants to be happy for these kids and to just focus on helping my kid get into a school that is the right school for THEM - academically, socially, etc. - but it's fighting with the jealous, petty, competitive side of my brain.

I really don't want the bad half of my brain to be driving the train for the next six months. It will make our whole family miserable and probably give my kid a complex. I don't want to be coming to my husband with anxiety and worry about this, as he is a WONDERFUL and grounded human and the least tiger parent of them all. Despite having gone to an Ivy for undergrad.

How do you all manage this?

[Anonymous]

I'm really happy for my kid's friends and kids of my friends.

[Anonymous]

I accept my kids for who they are and I know they are going to be and do great. But I also would find it very uncomfortable to post this early or make a big deal about where my kid is going to college, at least until they get there.

[Anonymous]

This is a time that you need to figure out how to keep your eyes on your own paper.

The kids are pretty good at it and in my experience they fully realize their classmates talents.
They are excited for their friends and understand that everyone needs to make different choices based on their family situation. That many classmates will make choices based on aid / cost.

[Anonymous]

Yes! Great idea.

[Anonymous]

OK I'm not on sm (except here) so help me out. You are following your KID's friends? That's weird. Does anyone think that's weird? If I did social media it would be to look at dogs or food trucks.

[Anonymous]

I have this issue too. Last year when my daughter was slogging over applications an old friend posted that her DD, a junior, had just committed to play lax at a top school. It made me pretty bitter that this girl knew where she’s going and didn’t have to go through the same slog as everyone else.

So, I’ve decided to love the player but hate the game and just accept reality.

[Anonymous]

yes, it sounds like you should.

My kid goes to a DC private and the athletic commitments are crazy so far for the class of 2025. Lots of kids committing who are not particularly elite in their sport--there is definitely a bump for athletic recruitment at high academic D1 and D3 schools if you're coming from a top private school. I'm actually finding it all exciting---it's like, "wow, good for them! These kids are all going to be ok."

[Anonymous]

You are way too invested in the college admissions process. Get some perspective and step away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, it sounds like you should.

My kid goes to a DC private and the athletic commitments are crazy so far for the class of 2025. Lots of kids committing who are not particularly elite in their sport--there is definitely a bump for athletic recruitment at high academic D1 and D3 schools if you're coming from a top private school. I'm actually finding it all exciting---it's like, "wow, good for them! These kids are all going to be ok."

What do you mean by this? Going to be ok? Just because they committed to a school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have this issue too. Last year when my daughter was slogging over applications an old friend posted that her DD, a junior, had just committed to play lax at a top school. It made me pretty bitter that this girl knew where she’s going and didn’t have to go through the same slog as everyone else.

So, I’ve decided to love the player but hate the game and just accept reality.

Right, that athlete's journey was just so easy and simple, without any work, effort, sacrifice, commitment.

[Anonymous]

Jesus Christ.

[Anonymous]

Yep. A known cheater from my children’s school committed to Swarthmore yesterday and, as I told my senior, it’s going to get worse before it gets better. I don’t have Instagram so I only know what she tells me and that is more than enough.

[Anonymous]

I've been there. It is indeed tough. Different admission cycles like ED or RD is stressful on the kids/parents who don't get in early. Don't have a good answer, but think of kids in other parts of the world where there is constant war or misery. I feel sorry for kids who think bombs or gun shots here or there is part of life. On the other hand in this part of the world, we worry excessively about college admissions. It should not be like that, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

My unhooked kid ended up doing fantastic and headed to an Ivy next year…and never posted the outcome on Instagram. lol

It’s now 1 month before they go to college and literally everyone has forgotten all of that crap and comparison and nobody cares.