<p>if anyone can help me out as to the basic schedule for family weekend I'd really love it! the fall 2012 weekend happens to overlap when I should be leaving for a "moms only" trip to florida. </p>
<p>Of course I don't want to miss out on my daughter's first UD family weekend but I was hoping to get a flight out of Newark, NJ either late afternoon Sunday or Sunday evening. </p>
<p>Can anyone let me know how past events have gone and what you'd say is a safe time I'd be able to leave campus? Being my daughter is only going to school 2 hours from home I know we'll be seeing her often so as long as I'm not missing any major event I'd like to cut out asap on Sunday.</p>
<p>We scheduled a vacation based on the dates for parents’ weekend at West Chester University since DD was positive she was going there. Her acceptance to University of Delaware and decision to attend has delighted us but now conflicts with our travel plans. After discussing the conflict with several family friends whose children are recent UD graduates, we were reassured that visiting the weekend prior would be absolutely fine. They admitted that even their children felt that after their freshman experiences with Parents’ Weekend, skipping it was a better idea for the next 3 years. I’m hoping that DD might be included in some of the festivities with her roommate’s parents!</p>
<p>We have two daughters at UD, a senior and freshman. We have attended the last four Family Weekends and really enjoy it. Love all the activity and buzz on campus. We attend the comedy show on Friday evening, the football game on Saturday and out to dinner on Main Street Saturday night, we also attend the President’s address and visit the major info sessions. The first year we had Sunday brunch in the dining hall but skipped that the following years. Our girls wanted to go back to see their friends Saturday night right after dinner; you could certainly be done by then. We also live within two hours and see them plenty but I still wouldn’t miss this weekend.</p>
<p>How does your D feel about it? We’ve been to a number of family weekends with our three kids at three different colleges. All were nice but none were so outstanding or meaningful that the important parts of being with our kid or seeing what life is like at school or helping out couldn’t have been on a different weekend. The special events are usually not all that wonderful and there’s usually a better football game on another weekend. Certainly the hotels are cheaper other weekends and restaurants are easier to get into. It really all depends on how your child feels or would feel about it. Some kids want and need their parents to come on family weekend, others think it’s no big deal and might just as well have you come on a different weekend. </p>
<p>That said, you could easily do an early breakfast (if you plan, 'cause the restaurants on Main St get packed on that weekend) and make it to Newark for an afternoon flight.</p>
<p>^ I agree with mhc. We went freshman year - got there for Friday night and left Sunday morning. Turns out, many of my DD’s friends went home for that weekend. Anyway, you’d be fine to catch a flight from Newark Sunday afternoon or evening.</p>
<p>thanks everyone! I’m guessing we’ll be ready to head out right after breakfast as well. I’m thinking just because it’s my daughter’s freshman year I’ll be so committed to going to the “whole” weekend. I agree with others that I may not feel the need to be there that particular weekend in future years since she’ll be close to home and home about once a month anyway. I booked a 9pm flight out of Newark, NJ with the option to jump on an earlier flight if I get there early. Lucky for me there are about 6 flights that afternoon and evening so If I get there early for $75 they’ll just put me on another flight. A few weeks ago I got stuck in a major traffic jam on the turnpike and it took me 4 hours rather than 2 to get home. I’ll leave after breakfast and not sweat the ride home! thanks everyone for the responses!</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore and has actually chosen to come home both family weekends, although she generally doesn’t come home except major holidays. She finds the crowds and activity absolutely overwhelming</p>
thanks everyone for the responses!</p>