<p>Lots of interesting comments regarding my soul-searching. The discussion atmosphere was much less judgmental than I was bracing myself for (though not completely zero…) Appreciate that.</p>
<p>But still haven’t managed to draw out any other HYPSM-obsessed BS parents. Judging by my circle of acquaintances, I know they definitely, definitely exist. Perhaps they still don’t feel safe coming out on CC.</p>
<p>@london: “complaining within earshot of kid” & “pulling kid out of BS mid-stream”
OF COURSE, my daughter has NO IDEA of my hand-wringing. THAT would be a surefire way to ensure any and all financial and emotional sacrifices to date go completely out the window. Even more importantly, no amount of money is worth killing her ambition and demoralizing her at such a critical time in her life. I think it’s safe to give the highly-intelligent posters on this board the benefit of the doubt on their parenting skills.</p>
<p>And for future parents, please don’t plan on giving BS a try and then pulling your kid out if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Once you make the commitment you will have to stick out to the end, barring extreme circumstances (like health or discipline issues). Consider that $200K already spent and that your child from now on will forever spend the majority their time of outside your home.</p>
<p>@Choatie: “…values HYPSM, believes BS MAY provide a better path to that end.”
BINGO!! I brought the odds up from zero (if she stayed home) to something “slightly” higher than zero. DC wants to try for HYPSM and we, as her parents, feel it a worthy endeavor so we felt this was the best way to support her ambitions. I am a HYPSM grad so I am sure much of DC’s desire to attend a HYPSM stems from there. We have been very careful about “Tiger Parental brow-beating” on this specific issue as we realize the odds now are insane.</p>
<p>In the interest of full disclosure, to our friends that ask us how we and DC like BS we tell them we love it and mention ALL the things other folks have mentioned on this thread. I don’t see the benefit of discussing our struggles with people who already think we are CRAZY for sending DC away in the first place.</p>