Anonymous wrote:I'd go so the kid wouldn't have to expend extra energy driving there or drive back alone when tired. If it were less road time I'd send the kid alone no problem, but 2 hours is enough that I think anyone would appreciate not having to drive.

This. Also it's just a good way to spend time together.

Either way is fine, but you haven't yet seen all you can learn about the college that is useful to knowm

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely go. Different strokes for different folks. I always put my kids first, and their academics first.

OP here,

Keeping my job, while solo parenting, so that I will be in a position to pay tuition, is putting my kids and their academics first. I can’t go to everything, so I need to choose.

I wasn’t actually thinking of whether he would need me. I know my kid, he’ll be fine. I was wondering if somehow me being there counts as “demonstrated interest” or if there will be some info in the parent session that I will regret missing.

Love you, OP! Best of luck to your son. Have no doubt he'll do great x

You don’t need to go, and they won’t count it against your family in terms of demonstrated interest if you’re not attending. We sent our son to his admitted student day solo because we both had to work, and it was a great experience- big confidence builder and he met some new friends. Save your vacation days for move in and parents weekend.

Anonymous wrote:I worked in higher ed and the less the staff has to deal with the parents, the better. Seriously, they will not be marking you down for not attending.

Thank you for this. This is reassuring.

Anonymous wrote:He is an adult. And, you have even seen the school. Do not sweat it.

“Adult”

I would be torn. Both of my kids really have appreciated when they’ve taken big steps in independence, solo travel, staying by themselves overnight, etc, they’ve told me how great it feels. So I can imagine a kid feeling really good about driving themselves to something like this, feeling like they’re taking charge of their own life. That said, if this is a high stakes day, I think as a parent I’d also be concerned about things going wrong on the road, parking challenges etc. and that causing them to be frazzled. I’d want to be sure to get them deposited for such a big day and try to minimize chance of travel stress messing things up for them.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need demonstrated interest for an accepted kid? They aren't going to throw in an extra $50k for your presence.

He’s not accepted. He has an on campus interview.

Why do you need demonstrated interest for an accepted kid? They aren't going to throw in an extra $50k for your presence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely go. Different strokes for different folks. I always put my kids first, and their academics first.

OP here,

Keeping my job, while solo parenting, so that I will be in a position to pay tuition, is putting my kids and their academics first. I can’t go to everything, so I need to choose.

I wasn’t actually thinking of whether he would need me. I know my kid, he’ll be fine. I was wondering if somehow me being there counts as “demonstrated interest” or if there will be some info in the parent session that I will regret missing.

Amen, my friend!

As others have shared, there’s no “demonstrated interest” involved here and no special insider information you’ll be missing. All good. 👍

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely go. Different strokes for different folks. I always put my kids first, and their academics first.

Oof. Sanctimonious AND unkind. Such an awful combination ….

I worked in higher ed and the less the staff has to deal with the parents, the better. Seriously, they will not be marking you down for not attending.