Bragging vs. honest celebrating

[Anonymous]

Let’s face it, most FB and Instagram posts are documenting, celebrating or bragging about something—everything from new jobs, vacations, anniversaries, birthdays, fitness goals, sports, dining experiences, etc. People usually go there to post their own highlights or to read about the highlights of others. So posting about where your child is going to school is really no different to me. If you don’t want to read the posts, then I would stay off social media or at least take a break around Decision Day.

[Anonymous]

I like to see the pure joy of the acceptance videos!
It is also easier to just see where people are planning on going to school online rather than trying to have awkward conversations. Most leave to go somewhere in the fall so you can't avoid it!
Social media is general can be so deceptive. I don't even know how many times I've seen amazing pictures and then hear about a divorce or some type of breakdown!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the college application process brings out the worst in most parents with respect to social media.

Personally I think it's rude to post acceptances. The videos opening up the decisions are just icky to me.

Of course to each their own and I have muted my "friends" that act like this.

I agree. I have no issue at all with people posting where they are going (or the kids posting it themselves). To me that's like announcing you're getting married or having a baby -- it's a major life milestone that is appropriate to share with other people. Sure, some kids will go to more prestigious schools than others. That's life. I am never going to begrudge a kid, or their parent, who is excited about going to Harvard or whatever.

But to me, posting acceptances and videos of reading decision letters is like the people who post videos of their engagement, close ups of the ring, etc. At that point you are no longer just celebrating. You are engaging fully in the idea of you being the Main Character, assuming a level of interest and investment in the details of your life that is unreasonable. It's not even about jealousy or making kids feel bad (though I do think the people who post this way do contribute to other kids feeling bad about themselves, or feeling jealous). It's about just being excessively self-focused and turning your life into some kind of reality show for you friends and family online. It's annoying. And yes, I mute it.

[Anonymous]

Select schools that have IG accounts celebrating college decisions for the class of 2023. Disgusting! Braggarts!
Sidwell, GDS, NCS, Langley, McLean, TJ, Whitman, Wooton and virtually every other school in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Select schools that have IG accounts celebrating college decisions for the class of 2023. Disgusting! Braggarts!
Sidwell, GDS, NCS, Langley, McLean, TJ, Whitman, Wooton and virtually every other school in the DMV.

That’s announcing where the kids are going. That’s different than parents posting every college acceptance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We shared on FB once DD made her final decision but didn’t post or celebrate every acceptance along the way. Of course we did tell family and close friends as the acceptances rolled in.

Why did you put it on Facebook? And what do you mean by “of course” you told family and friends of acceptances? What is so “of course” about it? We never did that.

DP here. Why not? You sound crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Select schools that have IG accounts celebrating college decisions for the class of 2023. Disgusting! Braggarts!
Sidwell, GDS, NCS, Langley, McLean, TJ, Whitman, Wooton and virtually every other school in the DMV.

That’s announcing where the kids are going. That’s different than parents posting every college acceptance

We've had posters bashing yard signs, t-shirts and car magnets...they want NO mention. I'm guessing these folks are hypocrites and are overjoyed to see their kids smiling faces on an Instagram announcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have seen a lot of people post on social media on Decision Day—May 1st. I actually enjoy reading all the posts and sending congratulatory comments. Life is too short. If people want to be happy, let them be happy.

If that's close to when the kid makes a decision, that makes sense. But it's super weird to get into a school in the fall, pay a deposit and then keep it a secret until May. Just tell people when you're done. If you're still waiting to make a final decision, then you're not done. It's so much better just to be matter of fact about it.

A family member was accepted to Annapolis and failed the medical exam. They were glad they didn't announce the acceptance when it happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s face it, most FB and Instagram posts are documenting, celebrating or bragging about something—everything from new jobs, vacations, anniversaries, birthdays, fitness goals, sports, dining experiences, etc. People usually go there to post their own highlights or to read about the highlights of others. So posting about where your child is going to school is really no different to me. If you don’t want to read the posts, then I would stay off social media or at least take a break around Decision Day.

+1

Common sense!

[Anonymous]

OP you need to realize you can only control yourself, not other people.

Think about that. Learn it. Know it. Be it.

[Anonymous]

I would absolutely post. Not several times, but something along the lines of. "We are so happy for ' '. Her hard work payed off and she is headed to _____ in the fall. Miss her already."


I am proud and want to share, if you have a problem with that simply unfriend me! I love seeing the videos of kids reacting to hard work paying off. If you cannot look at a post of another kid and be happy for them, you have issues! Not advocating for excessive posts... but really

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely post. Not several times, but something along the lines of. "We are so happy for ' '. Her hard work payed off and she is headed to _____ in the fall. Miss her already."


I am proud and want to share, if you have a problem with that simply unfriend me! I love seeing the videos of kids reacting to hard work paying off. If you cannot look at a post of another kid and be happy for them, you have issues! Not advocating for excessive posts... but really

OK, but spell it “paid” when you do.

I feel like a grinch but when I see this (I have seen this exact posting), I think about the kids whose hard work did not “pay off” in the sense of getting in where they wanted, or who got into fancy colleges they can’t afford to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely post. Not several times, but something along the lines of. "We are so happy for ' '. Her hard work payed off and she is headed to _____ in the fall. Miss her already."


I am proud and want to share, if you have a problem with that simply unfriend me! I love seeing the videos of kids reacting to hard work paying off. If you cannot look at a post of another kid and be happy for them, you have issues! Not advocating for excessive posts... but really

+1

Totally agree. Look at the multiple repeated and redundant posts on the College threads trying to disparage the same colleges that the poster or their kid was not accepted to - like a petulant child. Learn basic coping mechanisms that help you and your kid.

We all have issues, every one of us - part of being a healthy, sane adult is learning proper coping mechanisms. OP, you don't get to decide who does and who does not have their own stuff - and who is happy for their kid. If you can't handle social media, do not look at social media, or have a social media presence, simple.