Missing Move-In Weekend: How Bad?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone here consider their own college move in day a core memory? I don’t, it’s honestly a bit of a blur. I know both my parents were there but I don’t think I’d have a strongly different recollection of one hadn’t made it for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone here consider their own college move in day a core memory? I don’t, it’s honestly a bit of a blur. I know both my parents were there but I don’t think I’d have a strongly different recollection of one hadn’t made it for whatever reason.

I think it is a core memory for the parent, not so much the kid. To the OP, I get it, I would want to be there, too. But life happens and your kid will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone here consider their own college move in day a core memory? I don’t, it’s honestly a bit of a blur. I know both my parents were there but I don’t think I’d have a strongly different recollection of one hadn’t made it for whatever reason.

It’s definitely a core memory for me! I remember it so well and I am 54.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get your priorities straight, OP. Work can wait. Your kid is moving into college for the first time!

Said the person without a serious career.

Not sure that’s the flex you think it is. Most people with a ‘serious career’ at this stage in life have enough seniority that they control their own schedules, esp six months ahead of time.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone here consider their own college move in day a core memory? I don’t, it’s honestly a bit of a blur. I know both my parents were there but I don’t think I’d have a strongly different recollection of one hadn’t made it for whatever reason.

I remember it really well yeah, but my college had a ceremony for saying goodbye to your parents as part of it.

[Anonymous]

My principal tries to make me feel guilty (and any other parent of a college kid) about taking off the first week of school to move their kid into college. I’m a single parent so I always pull the “I’m the only parent so….” card. Our previous principal would deny these requests so we’d call in sick anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get your priorities straight, OP. Work can wait. Your kid is moving into college for the first time!

Said the person without a serious career.

Not sure that’s the flex you think it is. Most people with a ‘serious career’ at this stage in life have enough seniority that they control their own schedules, esp six months ahead of time.

Hmm. Maybe, but maybe not. The only things that are scheduled so far in advance, with very little flexibility, are big national conferences (where OP could be slated for a high profile presentation or an award). A movie shoot. Something like that. Wouldn't be a run-of-the mill work thing for a lower-level worker, bc they aren't scheduled this far in advance.

[Anonymous]

Single parent here. A-ok for kid to have one parent accompany them, esp given that in 2-parent families one may need to stay back with younger sibs. Suggest finding out when family weekend is & plan to visit then

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get your priorities straight, OP. Work can wait. Your kid is moving into college for the first time!

Said the person without a serious career.

Not sure that’s the flex you think it is. Most people with a ‘serious career’ at this stage in life have enough seniority that they control their own schedules, esp six months ahead of time.

Agree

[Anonymous]

I’m the parent who never misses anything but I think it’s ok to miss it if the other parent is available. Move-in took all of an hour for both our older kids. They didn’t want us to stick around and I think it’s for the best not to linger anyway. Our youngest is heading to college in August 10 hours away and I have considered having DH take him without me because I’m taking him for orientation just a few weeks prior. It just seems logical to divide and conquer. We’ll both be back a month later for parents weekend too.

[Anonymous]

Your kid's freshman year? Figure out a way to go. You will regret not going.

Years after that? Don't sweat it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone here consider their own college move in day a core memory? I don’t, it’s honestly a bit of a blur. I know both my parents were there but I don’t think I’d have a strongly different recollection of one hadn’t made it for whatever reason.

I remember it really well yeah, but my college had a ceremony for saying goodbye to your parents as part of it.

It was 35y ago - so yea blurry - but I do remember bits and pieces. But I think it would really stand out if one of my parents hadn't come.

[Anonymous]

If you’re the dad I’m pretty sure you need to be there to assemble ikea stuff

[Anonymous]

Many kids move on by themselves. Having one parent is a bonus (and they can't wait for you to leave). Having two is cute, but unnecessary.

Bottom line, OP, this only matters if it matters to you and your kid.

FWIW, at my kids' move ins, very few kids had two parents there, and many had none. DH didn't go with us for either of them, and actually there wasn't room in he car anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone here consider their own college move in day a core memory? I don’t, it’s honestly a bit of a blur. I know both my parents were there but I don’t think I’d have a strongly different recollection of one hadn’t made it for whatever reason.

I remember it really well yeah, but my college had a ceremony for saying goodbye to your parents as part of it.

It was 35y ago - so yea blurry - but I do remember bits and pieces. But I think it would really stand out if one of my parents hadn't come.

My mom drove me and each of my siblings.
DH and his siblings flew on their own.

None of us is traumatized by this.