<p>We're planning on going to Family Weekend at UT but not going to do any of the scheduled events. We're mainly going because D is in the marching band and we were able to ge a good football game ticket package for family weekend.</p>
<p>"I suggest you go the forum for your daughter's school and ask about family weekend."</p>
<p>Bummer. THe school doesn't have a forum. It's a small, school without a big name.</p>
<p>Is there any way that you can connect with other families whose kids go to that school to find out whether it's worth it to go to Family Day? Perhaps your D can find out this info through Facebook contacts.</p>
<p>We went to parents weekend because the profs have conferences with the parents, just like in grade school! It was very interesting because we put faces to names, and got a feel for why Dr. Soandso "really doesn't like me." Well, it turns out, Dr. Soandso just wanted S to put in more research and less opinion, which S wouldn't have believed if we hadn't talked with this prof.</p>
<p>Of course, that's not the case in most other colleges... I'm with the other parents who go to "other-than-parents" weekend for the social events. Have your child volunteer to steer parents and guests or greet them instead during Parents Weekend.</p>
<p>I think the one advantage to going to parent or family weekend is that it is "OK" for parents to be there. In other words, your kid will be less distracted and more accepting of the visit. You feel a little less like you are invading the place. </p>
<p>That said, we enjoyed the parent weekends we attended. We didn't do many of the scheduled events; mostly took son and friends out to eat, did any needed shopping, and hung out. I've always found the Denison parents to be a pretty friendly bunch and we've enjoyed running into famliar faces there.</p>
<p>Zoosermom,
I took a peek at the activities at your daughters college's website for the family weekend and did see two things interesting - A seminar about study abroads, and the tailgate party with football game. Football games at small colleges (in my limited experience) are lots of fun because of the intimate setting.</p>
<p>I think the timing is off too. I wonder if they have it so early because one of the common dates I've heard lately (Sept 28 -30) is when Bethlehem is having Celtic Fest, The largest Highland games and festival in North America. There won't be any hotel rooms available for that weekend unless you book very early. </p>
<p>I can see attending and then just doing some of the events but also taking advantage of the area and doing something outside of Bethlehem. Less then an hour from there is Hawk mountain which is along the Appalchain Trail and you can take long or short hikes to beautiful overlooks and see Hawks and sometimes Eagles. They also have a very nice museum with the obligatory gift shop. <a href="http://www.hawkmountain.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.hawkmountain.org/</a> or you could take her to the Promenade Shops for a little shopping <a href="http://www.thepromenadeshopsatsauconvalley.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.thepromenadeshopsatsauconvalley.com/</a> This is about 15 minutes from Bethlehem. Of course, you could do all that on an alternative weekend then the family weekend too. </p>
<p>One of the benefits I found at my son's family weekend was meeting the other parents and that they had many more activities for us to do then there would be during a regular weekend. My son's has several events to choose from like a magician one night, a choice of three hikes on the Appalchian Trail, a golf tournament for only $30 and a couple of other low cost meals.</p>
<p>IMHO, the timing is the worst aspect of your family weekend. It's much too early. Your daughter might appreciate (and miss you) more if you came down sometime in October.</p>
<p>I would suggest asking around when you move ZG into her dorm. You can talk to other frosh parents, and the RAs will be upperclassmen who can tell you how well PW is attended and how their families have handled it.</p>
<p>I like attending but we usually pick and choose the events and set our own agenda. I also agree with weenie that the kids have more time to spend with their famililies when everyone's parents are visiting. I think I would make a cancellable reservation now and then play it by ear as the time approaches.</p>
<p>Mid September is a bit too soon and unfortunate timing but I'm sure ZG will love to see you whenever you're able to visit.</p>
<p>The one advantage that I found about PW (and it might have just fallen that way last year for my son) is that it seemed well coordinated at the school my son attends. First tests/quizzes were finished in classes just before that weekend, if there were going to be any coming up soon. I felt that weekend was one where there was less of a workload, so that students were able to spend time with family.</p>
<p>Zoosermom,</p>
<p>Go if at all possible, take her out to dinner, do your own scouting around, skip the planned events. D's school actually has Freshman Family Weekend in late spring, which is great because it is not right after you dropped them off.
The thing, though, is that almost all the parents will be there, and it is really, really lonely. We missed Soph Weekend because we just couldn't go, and D was still lonely (thought she would be over it by now!)</p>
<p>We are heading down to family weekend for my daughter's freshman year for two big reasons. Big reason number one, we are choosing to leave younger daughter at home for move in, as there is no room in the car and big sister will probably be stressed, and not in the most sisterly mood. So we are bringing younger daughter to family day three weeks later so she can see big sis' room, and she can get the sister tour when sister is happy to see family since everyone else is busy with their family too.</p>
<p>Reason number two, football game happens to pit DH alma mater against daughter's school. So younger daughter and I can pick a side, or switch sides back and forth. Nice little family rivalry going. Since none of us are ardent fans, it will be fun.</p>
<p>Kathie, thank you for checking that out. I agree it's too early and I could see my son swinging from the rafters. I'm getting the sense that as long as we show up, we can pretty much make our own day of it? We'll definitely go because it's only 90 minutes away, and I commute less than that on an average morning, so what the heck!</p>