<p>Any thoughts on the value of this?</p>
<p>Well, I'm nott attending because I work at a high school and son's orientation overlaps with finals. I do suggest that you consider joining the Parent's Forum for UA. They are very helpful.
Portal</a> | UA Family Connection</p>
<p>Thanks So your son is going by himself...do you live close by?</p>
<p>No, actually we are in the Chicago area and he is driving down and doing the whole thing by himself - this is what he wants.</p>
<p>Interesting! Son wants to do it himself, also. I did register for the parent part, but maybe I should not. Wondered if most parents attend?</p>
<p>We have not. I know it 's not free but have no idea what the cost is.</p>
<p>I think that the cost for parents is around $75ish. I have no idea if lots of parents attend, but it seems like the only reason they do a parent’s orientation is to keep the parents away from the students : ) You might find out more information on the UA Parent’s forum that is part of the UA web site.</p>
<p>My son is actually meeting with 2 of his future roommates and they are going to room together for bama bound. He set the whole thing up. He drove down in Feb. for a visit alone, so this won’t be the first time driving alone - I hate it, but I guess he’s 18…</p>
<p>Lisa</p>
<p>My son asked that I fly with him … because he is not crazy about flying. He will get used to it. Besides, he wants to spend an extra day doing some other things on campus.</p>
<p>We’ll be flying with our daughter. It’s a cross country flight with a plane change and she is NOT an experienced traveler, nor is she 18 yet. I’ve tried to get my daughter to contact her roommates to find out if they will be at her orientation session but she’s so stressed out by school/AP tests/etc. that it’s just one more thing on her to-do list.</p>
<p>" I’ve tried to get my daughter to contact her roommates…" </p>
<p>jaf1991,
last year I suggested many times that my son to contact his future roommates. My prompting fell on deaf ears. I’m sure you have heard this from other well wishers but here’s one more time. Your daughter will adjust better and sooner with roommates and new friends when she can approach the subject on her own terms. I’m sure the dymanics and learning to let go is a bit different with mother/daughters than it is with mother/sons. Either way, it is still gut wrenching! (I have cried many rivers since June 2006.) Both of my older son’s chose schools far from home (Ohio to Colorado Springs-USAFA and Ohio to Tuscaloosa). Your daughter will be able to embrace this new chapter knowing you trust her judgement on all things. Let her know you trust her and are available 24-7. She will come around. Growing up is hard. Growing up with parents “trying to help” is harder. </p>
<p>I feel your pain, I REALLY do! Grab a box of tissues and have a good cry. You are NOT alone. Jill</p>
<p>Hmmm…thanks for that tip, momof3boyz! I’ve been doing the same thing w/my son (encouraging him to contact roommates, etc.) but, like jaf’s daughter, he would rather not at this point.</p>
<p>Good advice about trusting their judgment. I really need to practice this, to give son the validation that he definitely can do it all w/out me (which, he can and will have to!).</p>
<p>I really pushed my daughter (now a rising SR at UCF) to be proactive re: roomates etc and was stonewalled. For son, I just told him about the roomate match software and he took it from there. He signed up, looked at every single match, checked out facebooks, friend requested anyone that seemed “cool” and has been “talking” online for 2 months with all 3 guys. Two are locals who met at some bama thing for high schoolers and my son and the other boy are both from out of state. That is not to say that they won’t end up hating each other at some point : ) Son has always been very independant. He couldn’t understand why we wouldn’t let him drive from IL to Orlando alone 6 months after getting his license. Daughter, on the other hand, left for college still unable to merge onto highways - ha ha. You just never know!</p>
<p>Momof3boyz, thanks for the advice. I definitely trust my daughter’s judgment. She is my youngest and by far the most level headed and trustworthy of my daughters so I’m not nagging. I just worry a little bit because, while she’s not exactly shy, she is very reserved. I’m hoping her roommates are super outgoing, inclusive and friendly…that’s not asking for much, right?</p>
<p>Son just signed up for a roommate during the short window he had on April 23 when he had to pick a room. No info about the kids…“their names seemed nice.” He’s been on the AL 13 Facebook, but no info forthcoming. I think, generally, guys are pretty easy-going and (hopefully!) it should all be okay.</p>
<p>If you have never visited the campus before, I would suggest at least one parent doing the parents orientation. I have twins and one went to Auburn and the other to Alabama. I hate to admit it (as an Alabama grad) but Auburn did a MUCH better job. I hope Alabama has improved theirs. It is a chance to ask any and all questions, and the parents association officer that spoke was very helpful, especially about taking care of things like car trouble from a couple of states away.</p>
<p>Keeping the parents away from the kids? No…the kids can stay in a dorm (and I recommend it) but my daughter and her roommate insisted on staying with me in the hotel. They SWORE the dorm filled up before we arrived, but…I kinda doubt it.</p>
<p>TooRealistic, yeah, the harder I pushed the more DD stonewalled. I finally figured out that you give 'em the information…point out where to find it a few times…make sure the deadlines are covered, and then let 'em go. She would come back eventually with “what do I do about this…” One or two foul-ups of her own making were good teaching opportunities!</p>