Parents of the HS Class of 2011 - Original

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
7721

<p>Pepper I feel your pain. I’ve heard that same - “you made me”, “it’s your fault” line and I have to remind her that next year it’s all on her. We also ran out of contacts this week! But we have pairs hidden in the cars, just in case she needs some when she’s driving, so that saved her, and her dr. gives samples if she’s out. I gave her the phone number of the dr.'s office and since she needs a check up anyway, had her schedule her own appt and order new ones. I’m slowly but surely dropping out of the “mommy do everything” mode for this child. </p>

<p>I heard the same thing about a bad test grade because of her last college visit! Twins?! But visits are over and we’re about to head into local scholarship essay land. Sometimes she annoys me like crazy and other times I remember how much I adore her. </p>

<p>I will admit though, that I am still running outside at 7 AM and starting the car for her to get the heat going! I guess somethings I will still do for her!</p>

7722

<p>I imagine before this year is out, we’ll all go through all of these grouchy phases with our kids. Maybe those who are getting it over with now are doing us a favor? </p>

<p>Longstanding mantra: I won’t take credit for their successes, nor blame for their failures. But that means I have to make sure I haven’t taken too big a role in something that should have been their to begin with. It affects my choices every day.</p>

<p>Congrats on the audition tape, mosb! I know how hard that is to get done.</p>

<p>I love to hear about all of these wonderful boys! We have one in our life right now, D’s BF, whom I truly consider putting on salary for all of the things he does to make her life happy! At least I can feed him, to show my gratitude.</p>

<p>D sent in her app to a 12/15 deadline school yesterday, the only deadline she’s pushed so close (one EA got screwed up, but that was my fault because of scores). Still, everything should be fine. And the fact that the scores I DID send with what should have been plenty of time are still not in their hands made it necessary for me to call her adm rep Monday and problem-solve. At least this time the rep was really nice, made a note that they were on their way (they were mailed 11/22, according to ACT - how I wish everything would be done electronically!). Then when they weren’t there yesterday the rep said, just FAX me the official report you got, so I can work on the app in the meantime. What a nice person! And honestly because of this blip, my D’s app is on the top of her pile now! (This is a theatre school, where D should get in easily academically but needs an assigned student # to schedule her audition). </p>

<p>Emotionally things get rocky here, too. It’s very tempting to pick up a lot of the practical tasks (I’ve cleaned her cat’s litter sometimes this fall as a favor) because they’re just “so busy.” But I’m trying not to do that - she will have to juggle these things all alone next year. She does her own laundry - she does actually bring the baskets down, although they tend to sit there dirty for a few days … then clean for a few days … but I resist the urge to touch them.</p>

<p>But I remember that even my college senior got derailed when her cell phone broke during finals week and she had to add that chore - we all would be angry - but I’m not there to help her, and these things will happen. So we’re trying to find a balance, and get D2 used to the idea of keeping more of her life going than just “kid” stuff.</p>

<p>She did chide me because I still make her lunch - I’ve been threatening to stop for 2 years now, but with our exchange student here, too, it’s a good job for me to do while they’re getting ready to go in the morning. D1 made her lunch all the way through HS, but she went an hour earlier (I wouldn’t be making at lunch at 6 this year, either!).</p>

<p>I think I’m managing to train myself not to think daily about results - I check the “college” e-mail account for updates and get excited about the mail, but the 3-4 schools that will tell us something on the early side probably won’t do it until mid-January. </p>

<p>I agree about making sure we have some nice moments. One thing I can count on is a lovely dinner here Christmas Eve, playing a board game, opening presents, watching a movie we save for that night especially. And I think we’ll actually make cookies, for Japanese D’s sake. It will be nicer after next Tuesday when D1 is home. </p>

<p>I feel for all kids having finals now. I don’t think we could stand it if that were on our plate, too. They’re not until late January. Best wishes to all of you going through that!</p>

7723

<p>Ds finally crashed and slept a good 12 hrs after pulling an all nighter on Monday (really? is this necessary Mr. Procrastinator?) to finish his crit lit 11 pg paper (on Voltaire no less). Seems all the seniors are crashing and burning these last weeks before school break…first they have normal school work which usually comes up to a crescendo around now, then the college app and/or acceptances stress and then me, trying desperately to retain our holiday traditions…and being hormonally challenged to keep it all together. I envy the moment decorating the tree, Voltaire got in the way. Now it seems everytime we go out to dinner or do something as a family, it becomes just the younger two and not the two teens. Always too busy or going out with friends… Was supposed to be on jury duty today (I was actually looking forward to it because I would be able to sit and read for hours without being able to do housework or shopping or stressing…) but apparently not enough crime here, so I was “excused.” Wish I had some of you in my neighborhood to go to have coffee with, a nice gingerbread latte perhaps? My few friends are not on the same page or wavelength as all of you and it would be nice. Maybe when this is all over, we can share a picture of our kids and us? Don’t know how to do that, but I would like to. I know the privacy police will come down hard on that idea. :)</p>

7724

<p>Hi all. I’ve missed checking in for a couple of days - a lot has been going on! Such great news on ED acceptances! I’m sorry to hear about the deferrals; it is so difficult to see our kids who’ve worked so hard be so disappointed. It just doesn’t seem fair sometimes. But it is heartwarming to see how well so many of our kids are dealing with the stress. Such kind, empathetic young men and women. I’m keeping fingers crossed for really good news to come.
College applications on top of school work on top of holiday preparations … The upcoming two weeks of winter break cannot come soon enough!
In her usual procrastination mode - D was getting out an “expedited” EA application due 12/15 last night around 11:00. This form asked for SAT scores. We have been submitting ACT, not SAT scores - D only took the SAT for NMSF purposes. Neither of us could remember exactly what her SAT scores were, and College Board wasn’t accepting what we thought was her password to access her account. It was 11:30, and I was tired and frantically trying to figure out how else to get the information. D looked up and said “Mom, why are you mad at me?” Well gee, why would I be mad? We had to make a best guess on the scores and once again, an application went out at 11:50 the night before they were due. Four more to go!</p>

7725

<p>very,very grouchy phase going on here…</p>

<p>everyone’s freaking out about getting admitted; she is convinced she is going to be rescinded…</p>

<p>it’s always something…</p>

7726

<p>Two words that cause me some distress: defer and reject
Two words that strike fear in my heart: rescind and waitlist</p>

7727

<p>Oh, rodney - I’m so sorry to hear that! It might help to find out actual stats on being rescinded. I’m sure it’s very, very low, and for blaringly obvious reasons. My heart goes out to her - she’s having the ultimate “it’s too good to be true” feeling for a kid.</p>

<p>mnmom - This could be an interesting discussion. We all sure do like to think ahead around here, don’t we?</p>

<p>I have been giving a lot of thought to the waitlist. I know for a fact that my D would stay on the waitlist for at least 2 of her schools if she got the chance, and we’d let her. Of course we’d put a deposit on another school, but these two have been her dreams forever (I know usually there’s only one, but these both are really special and hit her the same way when she visited, and both are very difficult to get into). I know that I would let her wait until August if she could still squeak into one of these programs. </p>

<p>While that would be really, really complicated in terms of travel and timing and emotional strain, I would be so happy in the long run if she got to go to one of those schools. I would much rather see a waitlist than a rejection. I know mnmom isn’t saying she’d like a rejection, but for me I actually would rather the process weren’t over if she could still get her dream, in this case. I can imagine other situations where I wouldn’t feel that way, however.</p>

7728

<p>Anyone’s student applying to WPI? If so they just posted the following on the blog section of their web site - “Our first Early Action Round 1 decision letters are going in the mail today, so keep an eye on your mailboxes soon!” Good luck to all applicants. It seems like a great school.</p>

<p>Only a few more days til winter break. Sounds like most parents and kids will benefit.</p>

7729

<p>MOSB: Wow! So glad that the audition tape is done. Enjoy it! Play it loud enough for me to hear it in Ohio! </p>

<p>I continue to be in awe of those of you with the audition/portfolio thing going on. I am complaining loudly enough about the apps, supplements, and scholarship apps. Clearly, it was a good thing that I didn’t end up with the artistically talented kiddos.</p>

7730

<p>Just more waiting and fixing one problem= d was supposedly going to have two more decisions today but one is delayed for everybody and the other is in the air just for her. It seems the college decided that they need a transcript from all colleges she had attended. She had only attended colleges as a dual enrolled student, not as a transfer and she will only have six credits total (one 3 credit class from each institution). Well we sent the college transcripts from the institution she had attended in 10th grade but couldn’t send anything from the institution she just took a class this fall semester since it wasn’t finished and ther was no transcript yet. None of the five colleges that have admitted her so far have had any problem with this because our plan was to get the colleges a mid year report which would show the grade and also to send a transcript once it is available. So yesterday she received an email about how her application isn’t complete. The only problem was this transcript. She ended up calling the school and they told her to email the admission counselor. She has done that and now we are back to waiting. But it was a decision that was supposed to come today.</p>

7731

<p>A lot of us will be dealing with ED/EA decisions today—best of luck to all the applicants and their parents. There will be a lot of bruised egos, and we need to keep their focus on the long term. One school decision does not define them, even though for a few hours it probably will feel like it does.</p>

7732

<p>^ I agree completely.</p>

<p>Parents might also want to remind their children who are accepted to consider their relationships with their friends when announcing their results to their friends. It is one thing to share one’s happiness and another to appear to be gloating (even if that isn’t the intention).</p>

<p>This doesn’t directly affect my D as she knows that the earliest she can receive a decision is in January, but I have heard that some relationships have been injured at her school by students who were so caught up in expressing their emotions of the moment that they didn’t consider the feelings of those who did not receive good news.</p>

7733

<p>Trying to convince deferred D not to take it personally is the hardest part. She’s working hard on falling in love with her accepted safety, as deferral was from first choice school. She’s in like, but not quite in love, yet. Was around 60-75% in stats, great LOR’s, well you guys know the drill. So while she knew certainly nothing’s a given in this crazy process, inside she was hoping to have good news for the holidays. It’s not a rejection, but now she’s nervous about getting her hopes up at all. Such great support here. I always feel better after reading these posts. Thanks to all!</p>

7734

<p>Rodney - LOL - your D is very funny…next it will be buyer’s remorse :wink: …so, now we are off the coaster and on tilt-a-whirl? Good luck to everyone that are waiting for results today!</p>

7735

<p>Glad to know that we are not alone in NOT having our tree up and decorated. Oh, it is up - but not yet decorated. We haven’t found the time! D has a very busy schedule this week and so I don’t expect we’ll get to the tree until Friday.</p>

<p>Oh, what wouldn’t we give right now for a snow day!! Kids have been wishing for one for a while and I am joining in (despite the fact that I’ll have to shovel!). A day off would give D the time to catch up on all the pending work - both for school and the apps. But unfortunately, no snow in the forecast for the next week…</p>

7736

<p>Glad to hear we’re not alone!! Our tree has been up for 11 days and still no lights or decorations!</p>

7737

<p>tick tock – waiting, waiting!! Like a poster above who said Chicago keeps postponing mailing so is DS’s school - blog says to be patient. Ummm…really? Finals starting tomorrow, senior chapel next week (needs a haircut desperately - another fuss for us to have!), and angst all around! Waiting is hard - but not as hard as those whose news has been tough.
Rodney - DH told DS at dinner the other night that his job for the rest of the year is not to get into any trouble and to keep his grades up so that he won’t get rescinded - not that he’s even been accepted anywhere yet!!!</p>

7738

<p>Well, we got as far as the lights on the tree, and it’s so good to know we’re not alone.</p>

<p>Best of luck to all as anticipated notifications come in! Hugs to those who are now or will be dealing with disappointment, big congrats on acceptances.</p>

<p>I’ve been following this thread since the beginning, and finally got the guts to post. You all are an incredible group.</p>

7739

<p>arisamp: I could send you some snow…we have plenty! The snow days did help S2 to catch up on some application stuff, but he is not exactly ahead, just caught up. As for me, I homeschool my youngest D, and there are no snow days in the world of homeschooling. We just get to add shoveling to our list of things to do!</p>

<p>As for the tree, it’s been up for a week without any decorations. Maybe I’ll push for this “natural” look and skip having to put them away.</p>

7740

<p>One holiday thing we have stopped doing is sending holiday cards. I had always sent out a large batch of cards featuring a picture of D and S (and our dog). I didn’t send them last year because I was in an underemployment situation and it was one more expense/hassle I wasn’t up for dealing with. This year, with the college craziness and stress, and my trying to keep things relatively relaxed, happy and sane at our house (ha!) getting the kids to pose for pictures, which they’ve always hated, was something I just decided not to do. And I don’t miss the stack of envelopes to address and mail. It’s not a big thing, but I just decided it wasn’t worth it. It seems like a lot of people have been cutting back on this for the last couple of years.
We did manage to get the tree up right after Thanksgiving (I’m pretty fanatical about that) but the ornaments didn’t get on it for over a week after that. And as soon as the ornaments were on, both D and S sprinted to their respective computers. I think we did about 6 carols worth of decorating.</p>