<p>OK, my daughter has decided to put the SAT and ACT aside for now. She may reconsider in the fall, but for right now, she feels she can live with her scores at the schools on her list, and so do I.</p>
<p>I think it's now time for Mom to take a step back and put the whole college admissions process more firmly in her lap. I've fulfilled my most important role: helping her to identify a list of schools that are realistic choices and that she likes and would be happy to attend.</p>
<p>Now, it's up to her to start putting all of the application materials together. I'll help, when necessary, with clerical things like getting things to the post office (although given my recent track record, she may prefer that I not do that either :) ) But from here, it's pretty much up to her to decide how to handle the rest of the application process. </p>
<p>So, I'm stepping back, maybe learning a few new techniques like keeping my mouth shut when she's not doing things exactly the way I would do them, and waiting to see what happens. Wish my daughter luck!</p>
<p>Sounds like you've helped your daughter arrive at a good place as she gets ready to take on senior year and other major responsibilities afterward :)</p>
<p>Carolyn,</p>
<p>I think you are amazing in your concern for your daughter. It is revealed in every step you have taken so far, and includes this most recent one. I will join hands with you as we take that One Step Back. Isn't there a game we used to play where ya had to do that? Best wishes!</p>
<p>Well, okay. Just as long as you don't step back from helping the rest of us!</p>
<p>Good for you, Carolyn <em>said with a twinge of envy</em>! My goal is to be in the same place as you by mid-July, when my daughter will be home from Interlochen...and home for the rest of the summer. Just the other day, she mentioned adding an opera camp in August to her summer activities, but when I raised an eyebrow and asked about college apps, she changed her mind. Maybe, just maybe, she's getting into the ownership part of this process after all...either that or I have a very scary raised-eyebrow look!</p>
<p>Carolyn,</p>
<p>For those of us who take parenting so seriously and are so committed as we all know sometimes the hardest part is knowing when to do nothing. You are a good parent - and I know that if she does ask for help you'll give it to her or if you see her putting her future at risk through teenage misconceptions about the universe you will help her too.</p>
<p>Alu</p>