<p>Going to our first Parents' Weekend in three weeks. Haven't seen our freshman son since August. All reports so far are good and kind of as expected. Any suggestions on how to make the most of the weekend? Have been warned that students sometimes don't quite know what to do with their parents there. They're have settled into new routines, friends, etc. It may be "work" to switch gears and fit the 'rents into the schedule. Trying to keep our expectations low, but excited to visit anyway. Any thoughts, stories, or suggestions appreciated.</p>
<p>I kept it simple for Parents' Day last year - I asked S if he'd plan on having dinner with me. I didn't expect much else from him. He met me after the Parents' Day program was over. The school planned a meeting place for parents and students and food was available. S then took me on a tour of campus and showed me where his classes were, etc. Later we went to dinner. (The dorms don't serve food on the weekends, so dinner out was a great incentive to see mom!). His school just has "New Parents' Day" so no parents' day for me this year :(</p>
<p>
[quote]
Have been warned that students sometimes don't quite know what to do with their parents there.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ha. It's good you've heard the warning. </p>
<p>Sometimes you can't help but wonder a tiny bit why you made the trip... </p>
<p>Anyway, overall, Parent Weekends are fun. We just got back from one. Son was a tad stressed (lots of work to do) and so we attended some things alone. At one point I even asked him if he wanted us there (he was mad about that. ;) ) But I'm glad we went. It was fun to see him, and his school held several very nice events, including a small gathering with the President that I enjoyed a lot.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it was the same weekend as son #1's parent weekend. Otherwise, gluttons for punishment that we are, we'd still be going to that one too! :)</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>Do keep expectations low. My son tried to keep us seperate from friends last year, as well as this year. He was not too into sitting with mom and dad at the football game (he tolerated it). He definitely welcomed 2 good dinners out! That is definitely a hit after all this time with on campus food. This gave us an opportunity to talk. We also offered to buy and deliver cases of bottled water, soda, etc. to his dorm room. I called and asked what he could use (ie: more shampoo, laundry detergent, quarters for the machines, etc. and filled in what he needed). I offered to take him clothes shopping if he needed anything. My son did not want to stay in the hotel with us this year, bc he preferred being with friends. Last year, he enjoyed sleeping in the hotel, and having a private hot shower.</p>
<p>I've got a couple of boxes started with requested items (jif creamy peanut butter, peaches n cream oatmeal, fall clothes), and well as a bunch of goofy stuff (and I'm taking all my old Halloween decorations for their room and lounge that I don't expect to get back intact). We've got 2 lunches and a production of the campus theater/music dept on the schedule. Younger sis is going to stay with D on her dorm floor; I anticipate that they won't get much sleep. A quick trip to the Verizon store is the only other thing on my agenda. I just want a good hug from her!</p>
<p>Last year (freshman year), once I saw him and got that BIG hug, my agenda was fulfilled!</p>
<p>You may want to ask if any of S's friends are on their own that weekend (no parent in attendance) and invite them to join you for a meal or two. Not only is this a nice thing to do, but you can learn a lot just by listening to the banter!</p>
<p>Our visits always include a trip to the grocery store to stock up on treats, EasyMac, sports drinks, peanut butter, etc.</p>
<p>Just got back from another one. I would suggest when you look at the menu of choices a school offers during parent weekend, view it as a dinner menu. That is, pick a thing or two, don't over schedule. </p>
<p>Alot of times, the best part of parents weekend for my kids was sitting in the hot tub talking or just being in the room hanging out. </p>
<p>Don't overplan would be my advice. We always felt we were there to see our kids, everything else was secondary.</p>
<p>I'm sure most of you will want to wash and change the bed linens and do the laundry before you leave....</p>
<p>I have a D, so of course all she wanted was a shopping excursion from the Parental Units. Went to the downtown area, Mall and Walmart; at the Mall, Dad sat on a bench while D and I went to Hollister, A&F and AE. Spent a couple hundred on a new winter coat and some sweaters for her. (Prior to this year, wore a uniform to school and was not a sweater or coat wearer but has come the realization that she needs both to avoid freezing to death at college.) Also bought PSU sweatshirts and sweatpants as Xmas presents. That took up most of our Saturday.</p>
<p>The rest of the time, we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinners were off campus) with D, took our own leisurely tour of campus, toured the University Art Museum. Got back to our hotel room early so that D could see her friends Fri. and Sat. nite.</p>
<p>All-in-all it was a very delightful weekend. Have fun!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm sure most of you will want to wash and change the bed linens and do the laundry before you leave....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Oh no, I'm usually much too rushed getting out of my house for a weekend to do all that ;)</p>
<p>I wish you all a great time; will have vicarious joy reading about your experiences. OUr guy is toooo far to even consider it, so count your blessings if you can go! Have fun!</p>
<ol>
<li>Good dinner(s);</li>
<li>1 Sporting event;</li>
<li>1 School entertainment event, if offered; and</li>
<li>Shopping per student's needs.</li>
</ol>
<p>We drag all the kids remaining at home to older kids' Parent w/e and kids stay with Big Bro while DH and I stay at hotel, alone. Kids have a blast (not to say that the parents don't too) - bowling, stay up all night playing DnD or whatever... Saturday, we do 2 collegiate activities (this year, a luncheon and football game). Take College Kid to Walmart for essentials, leave by 5 p.m. Everyone is happy except Dad who pays $30 in road tolls, $80 for the luncheon, $50 for the football game, $100 gas, $40 Walmart... oh, that long list!</p>
<p>I am sending my younger d, 16, to hang out with Sis for parents weekend....the only time I cried alot when D left was when the two sisters were hugging goodbye....they will see a broadway show, a football game and some other student run program....</p>
<p>I will miss not going of course, but i think that the two sisters together without me can be very good for both of them</p>
<p>Sis will stay in dorm, really get a feel for campus life, etc</p>
<p>We took her to school and can't really afford another set of SFO_NYC tickets</p>
<p>We do several "parent weekends" a year at our son's college, whenever we go to football games. </p>
<p>Before the game, we meet son at the union and walk around campus, go to his fraternity house, walk around downtown, and hangout with our friends at their tailgate parking place (always the same spot). We do not sit with son at the game. We have this longstanding family tradition which includes extended family and friends, that everyone meets at a certain gate at halftime. This means we miss the halftime show, but get to see long lost friends and relatives; sons get to see their cousins. Everyone gets an Italian Ice. Whoo whoo. After the game everyone goes their separate ways, since it's pretty much a madhouse getting off campus. If H and I are spending the night, the next day we'll take son out to brunch/lunch and maybe go to the mall for a while. Pretty uneventful family weekend, but we all have a pretty good time.</p>
<p>fencermother, you forgot to add the cost of the hotel to your budget. It adds up quickly, doesn't it.</p>
<p>OH! The hotel! You're right!</p>
<p>A couple of years ago, we stayed in a hotel which did not serve us a free breakfast!!! Horrors! DH fumed about that until I got him a box of doughnuts at the local grocer. Geez! What was an extra $3.69 ? (plus coffee, plus OJ, plus gum, plus a newspaper.... ARGH!)</p>
<p>p3t - lol. I mean doing kid's laundry before you leave campus, not your own :-)</p>
<p>Parent's weekend was early this year, just last weekend. We went to one roommate's play, another's a cappella performance, and to a football game. Got to go to S's favorite pizza place and Mexican restaurant, went with one roommate's mom for ice cream and met up with another's at a small reception at their college. It was fantastic! S has the best roommates and we know that he's having an awesome time. The only down side is we didn't bring little sis, didn't want her missing school. She was very sad (and envious) that she didn't get to see her brother but we did. Oops, my bad!</p>
<p>Fencermother, your H is like mine. He wants to stay where breakfast is free (and it should be one of the nicer free ones-ie:waffles, and breakfast links if possible). The mattress comfort and free breakfast are priorities. BTW, he fumes at having to spend an extra 30-40 for breakfast out, or at some better hotels, he tries to resist the 20pp breakfast buffet, unless it is included or at a reduced price with hotel stay.</p>
<p>See if you can find out what the college has scheduled for parents. There will probably be some activities for just parents and some for everyone. From that you can work out a schedule with your student.</p>
<p>Also check out what the local tourist attractions are. Most students don't have the time to see much outside of their college community, and this would be a good time for them to get out of the bubble (on your nickel, of course).</p>