<p>I like interested dad's advice. "Buck up" is a great expression -- and a great attitude. </p>
<p>It's too bad you daughter is sulking and unhappy - but in the wider realm of life, her problems are so minute compared to all the children who didn't even get into any college or can't afford to attend any college -- and their problems are minute comopared to those who've recently lost their parents in Iraq or the tsunami. </p>
<p>I am sorry, parents, yell at me all you will, but sometimes this board drives me bananas with the mollycoddling, the "oh poor me's" and the lack of perspective on everything. Okay, I braced - let the admonishments fly.</p>
<p>"This happens to a lot of students. I think the "apathy" is more of a reaction to the stress of anticipation, the build-up of expectations, and the abrupt halt to this entire process when the decision is finally made."</p>
<p>Don't forget also the sentimentality of graduating, leaving good friends, leaving the security of home, etc. This is a VERY emotional time for all students and families.</p>
<p>I've already done this 3 times, but this year has been the biggest emotional rollercoaster because of an artistic child. Now that her decision has been made, she's thrilled with it, and is looking forward to going away, she's still very sulky and emotional. I attribute it to graduation. Anybody who's EVER heard "Pomp and Circumstance" can't help but start crying at the "suggestion" of graduation!!!</p>
<p>"I am sorry, parents, yell at me all you will, but sometimes this board drives me bananas with the mollycoddling, the "oh poor me's" and the lack of perspective on everything. Okay, I braced - let the admonishments fly."</p>
<p>I agree with you, but really feel that everybody on these boards has been through quite a lot in the college acceptance process and is emotionally spent. Yes, there are a lot of horrible things happening in this world and all of us have personal issues to deal with. But, at this time, on this forum, people are under a lot of stress and need support. If some people need more "mollycoddling", then let the "mollycoddling" flow!!!!</p>
<p>crash, taking your position to the logical extreme: one cannot be unhappy about anything because others always have it worse. Or perhaps you would soften a little and let people be unhappy, but only if it involved life or death.</p>
<p>So sorry this thread has been revived. I regret my contribution to the either or debate, coddle vs. non-coddle, good parent vs horrid parent, intellectual threads vs handkerchief threads, Ivy or Bust. Nothing of value in any of those debates, imnsvho. Life isn't that black and white.</p>
<p>I agree with Cheers: it is unfortunate that this thread has been revived. Since the last go-round resulted in a multitude of flames/arguments, complaints to the moderators, and general unhappiness, I am closing this thread before another round insues.
Moderator Skyhawk</p>