For all of you parents whose high school seniors are busy completing their college applications, here is something to look forward to next year: Parent Weekend. Almost every college and university now has a Parent/Family Visiting Weekend usually in the fall of freshmen year. These weekends are often chock-full of activities for parents and can include everything from football games and lectures to big name entertainment.
Parent/Family weekends can be a bit tricky for many families. Many students have only recently left home and have just said goodbye to their families. Having parents and other family members visit for a weekend so soon after school begins can make the separation process more difficult, especially for kids who are already having trouble with homesickness. Even kids who are not homesick may feel uncomfortable having their weekend routine disrupted so soon after establishing one. Also, as anyone who has recently moved a college freshman into school can tell you, moving their child into school is expensive. It is very expensive. Whether you have to fly across the country to attend a parent weekend or drive and stay in a hotel, the costs of these weekends quickly adds up. Then there is the expense of bringing siblings along. Finally, there is the issue of divorced families. While some families figure out a way of making parents weekend comfortable for both parents, for divorced parents, this is yet one more commitment to divide up and navigate.
Of course, there are laudable ideas behind Parents Weekend (besides an additional opportunity for fund raising). Many parents love the opportunity to see their newly minted college students in action and meet their new friends. For those of you who decide not to go, do not feel guilty. It is usually better to visit when your student is more settled and the campus is less busy. Some parents’ campus visits are limited to dropping off your student at the beginning of the year and picking them up at the end. That is okay too. In fact, that may be ideal. For more information check out this New York Times article “This Weekend,College Is for Everyone” or contact Launch College Counseling.
