<p>Well S is sleeping in on a "day off school" today when he is suppose to be at an all day open house at a local college. We found out one of the cars is leaking oil last night (groan $$) and need to share cars today and it is wicked and windy and cold so he is sleeping. I do feel guilty (yes, I know that guilt would assume that I had power/responsibility but I am a mother! so it just the natural response!) I know he will go over and go on a tour at some point and I really would like him to do this on a day that does not present itself as quiet so dark and gloomy. So I let it slide...
My conclusion about this entire process is that it is one of the developmental stages of aging for the parents--the kids?, naw they are just fine.
so we should name this stage---</p>
<p>Advice I have read in many publications is to be supportive and guide your teen through this whole college process. I agree! However, what do you do when your teen seems laid-back about the whole thing? My son is an A/B student, even made national honor society but he procrastinates! It's driving me nuts. He had two envelopes to give to two diff teachers requesting a recommendation letter from them. It's been two weeks and he is still holding on to one of them. I was so angry that I yelled and told him that he better find a college to dorm to because I cannot watch him do this for another four years! He is a good kid and I understand the fear and anxiety he must be going through. But he has to get on the ball. Thanks for listening.</p>
<p>Ignatius, congrats. Can't wait till one of these days to post a similar post. :-)</p>
<p>Hmmmm, Oregon101, what should we name it? I feel the grey hairs sprouting as I type--no, really. It is a dismal day in Oregon, but with no school, S2 and I had an "appointment" to sit together and finish filling out 2.5 more applications. (No real "common app. for music schools, dang). For one of the schools (due Dec. 1), he has 2 essays and a recording left. That was a very in-depth app., and it took hours to complete. For school #2, he just filled out a name, rank, serial # part one app., waiting until after his ED decision to finish the app. if necessary. Paid the fee and pushed send on that one, phew. Then there was school 3: the form required a HS name, only available by using their search engine. Son's HS wasn't on the list. Tried several times (picture 17 year old writhing on the floor in frustration) because the application wouldn't let you move on to the next page until your high school was in the field. Almost lost S2. More screaming and writhing. I took over the computer and selected a different high school name, just to get it over with! S2 finished that app., other than a resume and essay. I sure hope we remember to alert them to the fact that the HS we entered isn't in fact the one he attends..... 3 essays, 2 CDs and a change of HS and those are good to go. Now HE'S napping.....what's wrong with this picture????</p>
<p>Then there was school 3: the form required a HS name, only available by using their search engine. Son's HS wasn't on the list. Tried several times (picture 17 year old writhing on the floor in frustration) because the application wouldn't let you move on to the next page until your high school was in the field. Almost lost S2. More screaming and writhing. I took over the computer and selected a different high school name, just to get it over with!</p>
<p>I readily admit that I took over when there was a technical glich. It's hard enough to get them to input the info once, much less have the patience to battle the electronic form.</p>
<p>Thanks all, and yes, it wasn't the best of days! Son is off today too and I was in an executive meeting until mid-afternoon. When I called to see how he was doing on his essays, he had just woken up, and I've learned that my telephone nagging is even less effective that the in-person version.</p>
<p>I try to realize that I'm a natural procrastinator as well, but life and maturity have taught me how to overcome the tendency. His apps aren't due until the 15th, but I've made the 12th the deadline to avert any potential technical glitches, etc. I need to resign myself to another three days and trust he'll get done what he needs to, albeit at the last possible moment.</p>
<p>My husband was asking me how I feel about DS leaving home - I said it brought tears of sadness to my eyes to think of him being gone, as well as tears of pure joy to think of him being gone! Maybe this phase of parenting should be called the bittersweet one!</p>
<p>1.Bittersweet
2? anyone</p>
<p>progress! but no additional submissions today.</p>
<p>TwinE finishied her Cal Poly app, her common app and worked on her only supplement that requires time as well. She is just about ready to push the submit button on 4 more schools.</p>
<p>TwinK worked on a supplement and brought herself closer to meeting the EA deadline for two more schools.</p>
<p>Bittersweet indeed! While working on the app she had her itunes playing and I was tearing up listening to the country tear jerk hour. Songs like "I Loved her First" "Get Ready, Get Set Don't Go" and "My Wish." Anyway...if you have heard them you know the kind of afternoon I had. ...sniff...at the same time as I delight in the future they are carving out for themselves I really will miss them so terribly. But it is my job to put on that happy face and not add to their own fears and anxieties about this transitional year by sharing my own. That's why I am tickled I can come here and burden you all instead :)</p>
<p>historymom--is your submission "Get Ready, Get Set Don't Go" ?</p>
<p>My story for the day--dinnertime--Me, "I can't believe there wasn't any mail today. I am so anxious and excited about getting the College letters"....S, "Of course there is no mail today, it is a holiday. I have not even thought about the letters since I applied and I don't know why you do...there is nothing to do and it will be ok anyway it goes".Just cannot think of anyway to make that a submission--
Maybe--"why are you worried, I will be fine". not very catchy.</p>
<p>Hit send on application #2 finally, most common app supplements complete, essay is great, counselor recs in her court...now just UC personal statements. Whew!</p>
<p>D FINALLY has an essay complete. She's racing the clock for a 11/15 deadline. I wish she would have listened to me about this a month ago. </p>
<p>Tonight she realized she didn't hit the final button on sending her second set of free SAT scores. At least those apps are free.</p>
<p>well-congrats rrah--that is great!!</p>
<p>Congrats rrah and all others on acceptances and PROGRESS!</p>
<p>D surprised us last week by announcing she wanted to apply ED to Brandeis - the deadline is 11/15. She then promptly left for a 3-day youth group weekend, with me stewing because her essays were still very much a work in progress.</p>
<p>Bit by bit she's pulled it all together. If the stars align, she MIGHT hit the submit button tonight.</p>
<p>But here is the best part, our conversation this morning:</p>
<p>D: It was so funny yesterday. A bunch of people were freaking out about teacher recommendations and college applications, and I said "I've already been accepted to 2 schools!"
Me: This would be a good time to say "thank you mom".
D: (with a huge grin that brought tears to my eyes) Thanks, Mom!</p>
<p>"Maybe this phase of parenting should be called the bittersweet one!"</p>
<p>I have been thinking that this stage is rather like the ninth month of pregnancy. Lots of daydreaming about the future and your expectations, many discomforts and nagging aggravations, and an impending sense that things just can't go on like this much longer....</p>
<p>Hi Everyone,
I have been enjoying reading everyone's posts about their kids' progress (or lack thereof;) )in getting college apps finished, and wanted to join in.
My S is NMSF, great ACT scores, and good GPA/rank. Why doesn't he seem to care about applying to college!!! He loves getting mail from the Ivy league schools, and I can tell that he kind of likes the idea of going to a prestigious school. But he really is driving me nuts.
The only apps he has completed are the really easy ones - you know, no app fees, no new essay - just send us something you wrote for school - that sort of thing. Now the dreaded common app essay is looming, and he is procrastinating so much.
I was happy on Saturday when he came up with a rough draft - I looked at it and was ready with some suggestions when he said that he had too much homework and would look at it again later. Well, at least he's doing his homework :).
I'm sure you can all relate!
I know what you mean about bittersweet - last night was his soccer banquet - so sad to think about not seeing those boys and families anymore, about not seeing S play again.</p>
<p>My mother-in-law thinks I should just let him suffer the consequences of procrastinating so much. "Maybe he should spend a year at the community college." I don't agree, so I gently nudge, I nag, I bribe him, and boy am I looking forward to May 1st!</p>
<p>Thanks for giving me the chance to vent. I have learned so much from CC and really like hearing other people's stories.</p>
<p>Mamacol, many of us have been, or are in your shoes. I, too, think the college search/application process is too important to let unmotivated kids flounder through and accept the consequences of failure. It's our last big parenting role, and we all take different approaches but all with the same goal of helping our kids be happy and successful in their first step into adulthood.</p>
<p>P.S. It's 170 days until May 1st, but who's counting? ;)</p>
<p>I am checking back in after not posting on this thread for awhile. After dealing with mono all fall, away at boarding school, too tired to do her normal routine, she came home Fall Break and had a folder with her essays....already read by her AP Eng teacher and her GC. I loved them. She applied EA to three schools; the other three will be RD. She is done. Officially done. Just waiting to push the button on the common app schools. I read about Chapel Hill's record 13,000 EA apps and went uh oh.....we'll see.....now the wait begins. But at least we will enjoy her week home at Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>252525, well out of mono came: you're done! Congratulations to you and your daughter!</p>
<p>Phew... I finally got a chance to access the computer since DS has been "collegeapping" for days... of course with absolutely no progress. But the itunes & facebook pages are lookin awfully nice! I am consoled to read everyone's latest posts and know that we will all be grey haired together in a few months. 12 schools to apply to, only one sent out so far and hopefully a EA on 11/15. - oh did I mention that the CD he is supposed to burn (musical performance) hasn't even gotten warm? - Deep breaths</p>
<p>mamacol -- Definitely can relate. My daughter is acting similarly but the priority apps with only short personal statements were a gift! She actually did get some apps in but still has some schools that she really wants to apply to......but never seems to have the time to prioritize this. Also looking forward to May 1st!</p>