<p>My friend, whose son is a senior at UMD, tells me that they have never gone for parents weekend because it's just not that big a thing. I'm fine with not going, I just don't want me son to be the only kid without his parents there! How big a thing do you think this is for boys, for freshmen, and for freshmen boys! Is skipping it a big deal?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>Just ask your son…and if you don’t plan to go to UMD then, is there another weekend in October that you can go visit? It’s a fun day (especially if the weather is nice), but he would not be the only freshman whose parents didn’t come! It is also nice to go visit at a time that is less crazed, so you can get an idea of what campus is like for him now, you can take him (and buddies) out to eat, bring anything he needs from home, and take him on a grocery store/Target run. Last weekend instead of Family Weekend on campus, we rented a condo about halfway between UMD and home for the weekend, so neither of us had to drive the whole 8 hrs, but we still got to visit and spend time together. (Note, when you do go to campus, expect to feel pretty much out of place there. It becomes quite apparent that THAT is home now for them…)</p>
<p>Last year (DS’s freshman year) we didn’t go up for Parent’s Weekend and it was fine. There are tons of kids with no parents. In fact, Parents Weekend is so close to the start of the year, lots of the kids (esp. the guys) are still enjoying being independent. It’s also not a football weekend, so you miss out on seeing big conference football. Personally, I’d prefer to go up on a football weekend…get to see the kid and the game, restaurants and hotels are not as crowded and there are no “mandatory fun” events. </p>
<p>I noticed last year that a LOT of kids go home on the weekends. Kids who live nearby go home a lot. My S sometimes felt a bit left out by the exodus and we’d go up and spend a random weekend with him or he’d come home (4 hours away). But Fridays and Sundays there are tons of parents around the freshmen dorms picking up or dropping off the kids.</p>
<p>You are right about the weekend exodus, Centh. It got better later in the year, not as many freshmen went home every weekend.</p>
<p>Last year, it took a while for D to find people to hang out with at the beginning (from her dorm)…the people on her floor who stayed for the weekends were the hard-core partying folk and those who were less into that initially went home every weekend.</p>
<p>I also agree about the football weekend. You should go to a UMD football game at least once…the ones against ACC foes are the best! (But…don’t be shocked at some of the student cheers!!!)
Duh, duh, duh…</p>
<p>Our DS is a jr now, and we have never gone to parent’s weekend. Honestly, our DS was probably happier that we didn’t go because that meant he could sleep in. For his freshman yr it was held on Columbus day, and the majority of kids actually left, including our DS, especially since there was no football game scheduled.</p>
<p>I am with everyone else, go for a football weekend, let him sit with his buds, and then take him out to dinner afterwards. If you go, one fun part is to watch the team walk down the road. And of course make sure you hit the bookstore to spoil him with another piece of apparel in red or black! </p>
<p>Astro…my favorite cheer ever is the banana cheer! I did it with Bullet as college students, but now as parents even doing it, it has a whole new feeling because I am a parent.</p>
<p>I actually like to go in mid-October for a game, because the weather is really gorgeous, not to hot, not to cold. Plus. we then take him grocery shopping to re-stock his pantry.</p>
<p>If you feel guilty about not going, call him to find out his schedule and when he will be in his dorm room over the weekend. Tell him you need to know because you are sending a package. Then go on line and order from Wing Zone ([Wing</a> Zone | Hot Buffalo Wings Delivery & Take Out](<a href=“http://www.wingzone.com/]Wing”>http://www.wingzone.com/)) for him and his buds to share that night.</p>
<p>Additionally, don’t buy the mid-term care packages, instead, make a fun goody package. It comes out cheaper and they don’t feel left out. Some things I have done in the past was to put silly string and water balloons into the package, along with frisbees and other stupid crap to let off steam. Our DS loves Swedish Fish (the candy) so I make sure that is in there too. </p>
<p>I also have Wing Zone or Ratsies <a href=“HugeDomains.com”>HugeDomains.com; delivered during mid-terms and/or finals.</p>
<p>Think outside the box, and your child will appreciate that more, than a day where they feel they HAVE to be your tour guide, while their friends are hanging out.</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore girl, and I think last year I knew one person who’s parents came for parents weekend. Most of my friends first semesters were girls and it didn’t matter to any of them. I doubt it will matter to a guy.
This year no one’s parents are coming. I’m planning on maybe going home for the first time this year. A few of my friends are also already planning on leaving, and everyone else who isn’t, lives close enough that they can decide to go home at a moments notice, and they probably will.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. I was dreading the crowds and the whole “organized activities” thing isn’t something I think my son would be into anyway. Going down for a game is a much better idea. Love the Wing Zone tip as well. Thanks!!</p>