<p>My kids have shown very little interest. I did tell them the story about the quarter I dropped out of school to play guitar in a (spectacularly unsuccessful) rock band and tried to fall in with the rest of the band members who smoked dope every day, all day. After less than a week I was so bored I couldn't stand it and eventually decided to go back to school. (True story.) As for the rest, I just say: "It was Berkeley. In the 60's. I don't remember."</p>
<p>I think they think I'm saying that for comic effect, and that I'm exaggerating. </p>
<p>It's more of running joke in our house. These kids have about the same scorn for the 70's as we had for the 50's. They aren't studid. They can put 2 and 2 together when we talk about see the Dead at Watkins Glen.</p>
<p>The more worthwhile conversations, IMO, have been sharing some tips and tricks about college like: Pick the professor, not the course. Try to mix it up so you aren't taking four heavy reading courses at the same time. And, so forth. I think it probably helped that the seniors on the hall freshman year gave my daughter much of the same advice.</p>
<p>H will not talk about what he did in college beyond how incredible his college was and how much he loved it. My kids are horrified as it is that he had hair down to his bum. If they heard the rest of the hippy stuff he did they probably wouldn't beliieve it. Best left unsaid. I also edit CONSIDERABLY what I tell them. I did some very immature things in college and them seeing me get to the other side isn't a good way for them to learn NOT to do something, IMHO.</p>
<p>Heh. Pretty much the same, except I didn't have ANY boyfriends. I did have one real girlfriend (Mrs. WashDad) and two dated-a-number-of-times-but-nothing-really-serious girlfriends. </p>
<p>I've told my boys that I've never used recreational drugs because I was concerned that I would enjoy them. The heavy druggies I knew in high school were burn-outs by graduation and I just didn't want to go that way. So I didn't. I've also told them of my one and only lifetime experience with drinking and driving, when I didn't realize the cumulative effects of 12-ounce glasses of champagne. I made it home safely, but the next day I was pretty freaked out about it. Never did it again.</p>
<p>So, I have the advantage of not having to make up stories. Like Marian said, boring before my time.</p>
<p>Nevermind your D, idad. I'd cross a state line to hear details of your naughty behavior. Your strident warnings about drugs/sex n rock n roll are so scary. I assumed you were a choir boy in high school and college.</p>
<p>Do tell all!</p>
<p>My most dangerous escapades had nothing to do with drugs or alcohol--just sheer daring in broad daylight.</p>
<p>I'm lucky I'm alive and virtually unscathed.</p>
<p>My 20 year old S is always quick to say to DH, "I KNOW you drank beer in college when you were younger than me". To which DH always replies "Yes I did but it was LEGAL then".</p>
<p>I mentioned to my daughter that I had dated one of my TAs in college (I was 18, he was 33) and she gagged and told me that went into the too much information category. And, Northstarmom, I can relate you your life being of no importance to your kids -- though I think I win (in fairness, my life is of no interest to my son, my daughter does seem to care). I have a published novel that my 14 year old D read over the summer and my 17 year old S still hasn't read (I mean even taken off the shelf and thumbed through)!</p>
<p>I try to share study tips, strategic scheduling for optimal gpa.Everything else is up to them to figure out. I tell them don't get anyone pregnant before you graduate. Don't make the mistakes the Duke Lacrosse team made.</p>