I am not the PP you are responding to, but I get their point. I wasn’t in a sorority in college, but my daughter is. This is important to her. So as ridiculous as I may think the greek system is (I do), and as ridiculous as I may find the idea of a “moms’ weekend” (I do), I happily go because it is important to my daughter. Ordinarily I wouldn’t choose to sit through a softball or baseball game either, but I did it for my kids (often spending the whole weekend on those activities when they were younger). And in my experience, most parents go to these, so another factor is that if it is possible for me to go, I don’t want my kid to be one of the few without a parent there. That all said, to answer you OP, as other posters said, at my dd’s college it simply involves a brunch, house tour. I’ve met some of her friends, and their moms, too. To all the uva boosters on dcum, my niece is in a sorority there, and they host “parent formals” where my brother and sister in law need to bring dress up clothes and go to the formal (and the students still bring dates - it sounds so weird) and pre-and post- parties! And Fyi my brother doesn’t drink and still attends these for his daughter. |
Just for points of clarity and I’ve already posted. I was in a sorority, I have no chip, I dislike forced mingling at parents weekend just as much. I lived far from home so my parents coming wasn’t an option. Plenty of us didn’t care one way or another and it was just a hindrance to our partying. |
Yes, I’ve seen similar posts. The mom was dressed like all the girls. But a low key brunch sounds like it wouldn’t be too bad. |
OP - Thank you, I appreciate this and of course I want to be there for my daughter as I of course have her entire life. I am honestly trying to learn what I'm in for here as I went to small LAC and have no reference point. And to be honest in the last year I've flown to her school (Michigan) for admitted students weekend, orientation day, move in, and parents weekend and it's not easy to take time off from work and away from younger kids. So I'll figure out what this involves (just hoping nothing on frat row) and book another plane ticket and plan a wardrobe... |
UVA parents formals are a tradition and quite harmless. I went to two of them, my DD only brought a date to one, the other year her "date" was her twin brother. We did a pre-party at her house with her sorority sisters, which was totally innocent and fun.
My DS's fraternity does not do parent's formals, so not sure what that would look like. My DD's sorority has a mother's weekend, which is just a brunch I think and she has never wanted me to come, nor have I particularly wanted to. I'm pretty sure the OP will not be force to binge drink if she attends. lol Maybe she should just go and attend whatever casual event there is and then take the rest of the time as a spa weekend with DD? |
Yeah same. It was no big deal for the moms and a lot of cleaning for us! |