Look, the bottom line is that colleges have had to adjust over the years for helicopter parents and have had to come up with ways to remove them from their children as early and as much as they can from the move in process without alienating and enraging them. That's what the parent "panels" are all about. You can be assured that the schools are rolling their collective eyes at all of it.

It's not just an American problem, btw. I once helped one of my kids find an apartment in the UK for grad school, and in the process found myself on campus about to enter a building where a "no parents allowed" orientation was going on. The kid at the door gently refused my entrance. After I assured him that it was an innocent mistake and I was not hovering we had a good laugh about the helicopter parent problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I've been convinced that Yale is not like that. Sounds like other schools are not like that. It wasn't true when my own mom went to a parent event back in 1992 (or, at least, it was something she really enjoyed). And yet .. you know all about all schools in all places and times.

My kid worked hard to get into a t10 school and we're paying 90k to sent them there. You better believe I'm going to the panels, the assembly, and the dinner. I'm looking forward to it. Then I'll spend the night in a nice hotel. Then DH and I fly to Europe for the beginning of Act 2 (or is it Act 3?). I like my decision plenty.

Curious to know if you think the parents who are stretching to pay 45k and whose kid worked hard to get into a t50 should just drop and run? If not, why mention the rank and the money?

Because we already mocked her on name dropping, not she is money dropping.

I'm paying 90k and dont have a kid at yale. This is what COA is now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I've been convinced that Yale is not like that. Sounds like other schools are not like that. It wasn't true when my own mom went to a parent event back in 1992 (or, at least, it was something she really enjoyed). And yet .. you know all about all schools in all places and times.

My kid worked hard to get into a t10 school and we're paying 90k to sent them there. You better believe I'm going to the panels, the assembly, and the dinner. I'm looking forward to it. Then I'll spend the night in a nice hotel. Then DH and I fly to Europe for the beginning of Act 2 (or is it Act 3?). I like my decision plenty.

You do realize how much you just contradicted yourself, right? You say the schools are “not like that“ then you go right into how much money you are paying for tuition and that is why you expect that. Well, the reason they are doing those panels and such is because they have to deal with parents like you with your attitude. If you don’t see that, there’s no curing you

Nope. I'm saying, I'm paying a lot of money. They're offering a lot of programming. I'm going to take advantage. My kid was the one who requested getting in the night before and not leaving at 6am to get to move in time on time. So one night is on them. One is on me. We're all good with it! Be blessed!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I’m fascinated that somehow you have been able to attend the family orientations of every college in order to draw that conclusion. Please tell us how you managed that, particularly with all those kids! The other parents we met weren’t anxious or hovering. They were excited, happy to share useful, less official info that the college won’t tell you and getting to look around the place where their kids will spend four years. In our case we also met up with old friends whose kid ended up at the same school. All in all, it was a lovely day and a nice transition time. Why you’re so triggered by that idea is beyond me.

Because you are so willfully blind, it’s laughable

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

DP here.
It is so incredibly strange to me that you, a mom of multiple kids is taking time on the summer day to come in here and disparage the choices of a poster who is not exactly like you. Why are you so unhappy? Why not just live your life?

Option number one: post on DCUM

Option number two: hang around my kids college an extra day and attend panel discussions and other parent orientation events with other crazy parents

Isn’t the choice obvious?

At least tell me you don’t raise your hand at these events while other parents roll their eyes. Please tell me that.

I’m not like other moms. I’m a cool mom.

But not cool enough to avoid wasting time mocking people on the internet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I’m fascinated that somehow you have been able to attend the family orientations of every college in order to draw that conclusion. Please tell us how you managed that, particularly with all those kids! The other parents we met weren’t anxious or hovering. They were excited, happy to share useful, less official info that the college won’t tell you and getting to look around the place where their kids will spend four years. In our case we also met up with old friends whose kid ended up at the same school. All in all, it was a lovely day and a nice transition time. Why you’re so triggered by that idea is beyond me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I've been convinced that Yale is not like that. Sounds like other schools are not like that. It wasn't true when my own mom went to a parent event back in 1992 (or, at least, it was something she really enjoyed). And yet .. you know all about all schools in all places and times.

My kid worked hard to get into a t10 school and we're paying 90k to sent them there. You better believe I'm going to the panels, the assembly, and the dinner. I'm looking forward to it. Then I'll spend the night in a nice hotel. Then DH and I fly to Europe for the beginning of Act 2 (or is it Act 3?). I like my decision plenty.

Curious to know if you think the parents who are stretching to pay 45k and whose kid worked hard to get into a t50 should just drop and run? If not, why mention the rank and the money?

Because we already mocked her on name dropping, not she is money dropping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're moving my freshman into her dorm on a Friday afternoon. I figured we'd stay in her college town on Friday night but return home late Saturday (2 hour drive).

Is there any reason we should stay an additional night? (other than my emotions )

NO.
move your child in and leave. This is not kindergarten, this is college.

I totally agree. To everyone saying visit the next morning, you are prolonging the goodbye and forcing everyone to go through it twice. Drop off and go. Let them figure it out with their surroundings and get to know people. Yikes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

DP here.
It is so incredibly strange to me that you, a mom of multiple kids is taking time on the summer day to come in here and disparage the choices of a poster who is not exactly like you. Why are you so unhappy? Why not just live your life?

Option number one: post on DCUM

Option number two: hang around my kids college an extra day and attend panel discussions and other parent orientation events with other crazy parents

Isn’t the choice obvious?

At least tell me you don’t raise your hand at these events while other parents roll their eyes. Please tell me that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I've been convinced that Yale is not like that. Sounds like other schools are not like that. It wasn't true when my own mom went to a parent event back in 1992 (or, at least, it was something she really enjoyed). And yet .. you know all about all schools in all places and times.

My kid worked hard to get into a t10 school and we're paying 90k to sent them there. You better believe I'm going to the panels, the assembly, and the dinner. I'm looking forward to it. Then I'll spend the night in a nice hotel. Then DH and I fly to Europe for the beginning of Act 2 (or is it Act 3?). I like my decision plenty.

You do realize how much you just contradicted yourself, right? You say the schools are “not like that“ then you go right into how much money you are paying for tuition and that is why you expect that. Well, the reason they are doing those panels and such is because they have to deal with parents like you with your attitude. If you don’t see that, there’s no curing you

Anonymous wrote:Go home.

Exactly

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

DP here.
It is so incredibly strange to me that you, a mom of multiple kids is taking time on the summer day to come in here and disparage the choices of a poster who is not exactly like you. Why are you so unhappy? Why not just live your life?

It’s already hot out lol. Besides. I’m just trying to do the kids a favor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, only two hours away, zero nights.

Unless they have an early move in slot.

Then, get a room the night before. (If the school is two hours away)

Move-in days are mostly staffed with current college students. How early are you expecting them to start a move-in? 7am? They’re not starting anything before 9am.

Our kid had a 9:30am move-in time at her school in Philadelphia. We left DC at 6:30am and pulled up to the school by 9am. We were back home by 7pm.

Just say Penn.

It’s like saying your DC goes to a school in Boston….most know what school you want to say.

not at all true for Boston and Philadelphia which combined have probably 200 colleges in their metropolitan areas.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

Hi Drexel mom

You’re not following. I’m a UVA parent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC’s school is two plus hours away. We stayed two nights. Kid loves school, assimilated well, made good friends and was somehow not stunted by this experience, even though DCUM has declared that to be impossible. Make up your own mind about what makes your family feel good about the experience. Good luck, OP!

What did you do for two days?? Cry?

When we dropped our kids off at UVA from NOVA we barely stopped the car. Lol

Spent the night before move in having a nice, relaxed dinner together before early move in the next day. Helped with move in, made a Target and grocery store run because she doesn’t have a car then said goodbye. Stayed that night because there were parent orientation activities the next day. It’s really not that mysterious. Something tells me your kid was eager to jump out of that car…

“Parent orientation” is designed to keep helicopter parents out of their kids’ hair on move-in weekend. You do know that, right? So you spent your second day with other anxious and over-the-top parents on move-in weekend while we took the other kids to the beach. I’d say ours was the better decision!

I've been convinced that Yale is not like that. Sounds like other schools are not like that. It wasn't true when my own mom went to a parent event back in 1992 (or, at least, it was something she really enjoyed). And yet .. you know all about all schools in all places and times.

My kid worked hard to get into a t10 school and we're paying 90k to sent them there. You better believe I'm going to the panels, the assembly, and the dinner. I'm looking forward to it. Then I'll spend the night in a nice hotel. Then DH and I fly to Europe for the beginning of Act 2 (or is it Act 3?). I like my decision plenty.

You should stay as many nights as you want and go to any even you want!