Anonymous wrote:Oh man, just seems like a bad idea all around. These kids need to embark on their own lives alone. I'd be worried your son would make his decision based on his GF.

That concern is on our mind as well and we don't have the private plane/limo on the agenda. Its pretty much front-and-center for parents of any HS seniors who are dating seriously. Whether or not they visit campuses together, they'll talk about what they liked and parents should encourage their kids to honestly decide what's the best fit for them. If you haven't started that conversation before the first day of school, you're way behind the curve on this one.

Oh man, just seems like a bad idea all around. These kids need to embark on their own lives alone. I'd be worried your son would make his decision based on his GF.

Anonymous wrote:

I would let him go. Private planes don't come around that often!

Besides, can't you take him around to some California colleges?

This one.

Though I gotta say, college tour as a double-date sex festival (which is what this will be) is a new one on me.

Really? I routinely went away for weekends with my girlfriend and other friends in high school. And generally every day was a "sex festival" anyway.


BTW - I married the HS girlfriend eleven years after we graduated from high school and broke up (both graduated from college and I went to law school while DW went to medical school). Still have a great sex life!

My advice, OP - let him go. You can't force "family bonding" at that age. After he gets accepted and has narrowed his list to two or three colleges you can go back with him.

Just make sure he understands how unique this opportunity is and that most Americans do not have this level of opulence and never will. Make sure he understands that he needs to be very gracious to his hosts.

Let him go. It will be good practice for you when he really does fly the coop.

Anonymous



Get him a Costco size box of condoms and tell him to have a great time.

Skip the condoms....an "accidental" pregnancy and marriage...kid is set for life.

Telling your son that he cannot go on a trip with his girlfriend and friends, fly in a private plane and be chauffeured around, because you want to take him to visit those colleges is not the best way to build warm, family memories of the college visit trip.

The boat has sailed on this one, OP (or rather the private jet has taken off). Let it go.

I'd let him go but make sure he takes plenty of protection and tell him to use it. As a side point, I'd talk to him about his college options and I'd stress to him that he has to make the best choice for him and his future not follow the wealthy girlfriend to college.

Get him a Costco size box of condoms and tell him to have a great time.

I would let him go. Private planes don't come around that often!

Besides, can't you take him around to some California colleges?

This one.

Though I gotta say, college tour as a double-date sex festival (which is what this will be) is a new one on me.

Anonymous wrote:I would say no. College tours are for parents. If he can't tour with you, he shouldnt expect any tuition payments from you.

This is crazy. Let your son take the trip, follow up with visits together to his top few if you want.