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Issue date: 7/5/07 Section: Opinions
Orientation creates parental dilemma
I just returned home from the parent/student freshman orientation.
I made sure on the ride home to keep the conversation to a minimum, as I realized that my son was probably fatigued from the experience.
My attempt to share dialogue at a later time seemed to backfire when I started to share all the info I had learned during the orientation.
It wasn't well-received.
He expressed to me that some students had shown up without their parents and it was applauded by others as a "rite of passage" (I don't think there were very many).
Help! I don't want to be a hovering "helicopter parent." What's a parent to do? I know that my son is intelligent, organized and can speak for himself. It was a show of support on my behalf to be there.
Is it possible that the orientation process needs to be re-evaluated?
DEBBIE LIDDELL
Johns Creek
I just returned home from the parent/student freshman orientation.
I made sure on the ride home to keep the conversation to a minimum, as I realized that my son was probably fatigued from the experience.
My attempt to share dialogue at a later time seemed to backfire when I started to share all the info I had learned during the orientation.
It wasn't well-received.
He expressed to me that some students had shown up without their parents and it was applauded by others as a "rite of passage" (I don't think there were very many).
Help! I don't want to be a hovering "helicopter parent." What's a parent to do? I know that my son is intelligent, organized and can speak for himself. It was a show of support on my behalf to be there.
Is it possible that the orientation process needs to be re-evaluated?
DEBBIE LIDDELL
Johns Creek
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Dustin Davies
posted 7/05/07 @ 9:54 AM EST
Concerned Parent:
I applaud you for attending the parent/student orientation with your son. You did the right thing. In fact, I can't even recall anyone not having their parents or guardian with them at the time I went through orientation. (Continued…)
Matt Farmer
posted 7/05/07 @ 10:36 AM EST
I went to freshman orientation a week ago today, and I don't remember seeing all that many people without their parents there. Maybe I'm just blind or something. (Continued…)
Nick P
posted 7/05/07 @ 11:42 AM EST
First, I went to orientation without my parents. I am one of six kids and the fourth to go to college. My parents were not thrilled to entertain the orientation process again, so they didn't go. (Continued…)
Clay Kimbro
posted 7/05/07 @ 3:09 PM EST
Granted, it was 6 years ago, but my parents did not go to orientation. Similar to Nick P's situation I was the 3rd child in my family to go. My parents had no need to go and no unanswered questions. (Continued…)
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