<p>As first time college parents, we were wondering - if move in day is 8/26, how long do you stick around - leave immediately, stay another day? Pros/cons of each?</p>
<p>Freshman are busy the next day with all these presentations, tours, etc. They won't have time to stick around with their parents. I think the first few days are crucial in bonding with people on your floor and building so I would say that once your son or daughter is moved in and has gotten everything they need, it's time for the parent to leave. It will force your child to go out, meet people, eat meals with people, etc. Plus, it's fun decorating with your new floormates and roommates without the parents there.</p>
<p>Couple of questions. How far away from home? Has student spent long period of time away before? I know what my folks did the first time and I had been away for 4 years already. I was busy, I did an early program. What the folks did was shop for anything I "forgot".....remain in the hotel for a few days but didn't bother me: I waltzed over when I wanted to and it was great. A nice restaurant meal, talking it up about the whole new college thing. I'd say that there are many variables but few at my school had parents who dropped and ran.</p>
<p>I wasn't thinking that we'd be hanging around and weeping about losing our baby to higher education so far from home (trying our best not to helicopter) - more that we'd be available to head to Walmart to get those things that we forgot. We're several hours away by car and she's the only one from her school going to UD. We were thinking of going home on Monday.</p>
<p>having a personal shopper is good. Sounds like a plan.</p>
<p>I agree- those last minute things are great to get with mom and dad around. :)</p>
<p>if you leave her some money, anything you may have forgotten is easily walked to, if not bussed to...</p>
<p>Your daughter will probably be assigned a time frame during which she's supposed to arrive at her dorm, check in with the Res. Director (get keys, etc.), then move in. Depending on how early or late in the day this happens, you may find that it's time to leave before her stuff is even completely organized. DD had an afternoon move-in time, and we were still in the process of hooking up her computer when the RA stopped in and invited DD and her roommate to join other floor-mates for an early dinner. DD looked at us with a "what do I do now?" expression on her face, and we shooed her out the door. When we finished the computer, we packed up the tool kit and left. Frankly, it was a lot easier that way, no one had to worry about getting all emotional, and it was simpler to kiss her goodbye as she went out the door on her way to meeting new people. There are all kinds of activities scheduled over the first few days, so there's really no point in parents hanging around. The sooner you leave, the sooner she'll start to find her place and make friends.</p>