Also, it’s good not to be a contrarian here like I am in the “Debating the Value of Math” thread. Maybe I’m being sensitive, but I’ve gotten a bit of a “you shouldn’t have gotten a Master’s if you didn’t master Algebra II” vibe over there.
It’s dangerous to thread-wander @mstomper I would not last long in that thread!
@mstomper - I just peeked at that thread. I got a B.S. without taking a real math class. My current job requires me to be able to count to 10, so technically, all the math I ever needed was learned before pre-school. My MIL was a doctor and never had calculus (different time!)
I will say that thankfully I will not have to take Calculus. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July.
My DS’16 won’t be getting any allowance. He has to work a campus job as part of his fellowship that covers his student loans so he can use that money for fun money and books. He is also working right now so he will have some money to start school.
@carolinamom2boys glad your powerless situation didn’t last too long! 100 degrees is no time to be without AC!
Let’s see, D will not have a car on campus because she doesn’t have a licence, never mind a car! She’ll be in a major city with plenty of public transportation, so won’t really need one, anyway. We’d prefer that she not work at least the first year, so will continue her allowance of $100 a month. Right now she doesn’t spend anywhere near all of it, but it’s for any and all “extra” expenses. She is always more stingy with her money as opposed to OUR money.
She does not, and will not have a credit card anytime soon. She is 16. She has a debit card that she can use as a credit card, to withdraw or deposit money to her account, but her dad is on it since she is under 18, so in a pinch he could make a quick transfer since all our accounts are with the same credit union. We have a family phone plan and would be paying for D’s plan for the next year whether she uses it or not, so we’ll keep that in place. When her portion of the contract is up, we’ll revisit that.
Her internship and graduation money are going to her for college expenses such as books and dorm extras.
Anyone have fun plans for tomorrow? We’re staying home and H is smoking some ribs and pork. My SIL is coming over with greens and cabbage, and I am making corn and cole slaw. We live a block from unincorporated county land, so everyone in the neighborhood gets together and does fireworks from the nearby reservations. H and my son are all in, Last year we didn’t do any because it was so dry.
Thanks @sseamom . My neighborhood celebrated last night with a grill off/ pool party/parade with fireworks to finish the day off. I will be working today, so I’m glad they celebrated yesterday . Happy 4th everyone.
Happy 4th to all! Rainy here so no big plans. Hoping to catch up
on a few things.
No big plans here. We are invited to our neighbors for a party. They have one every major holiday. DH loves them. I’m not that much of a fan but go because he wants to. I’m pretty introverted so parties are not my scene. Most of the neighbors are very nice but they are younger then us and we don’t have too much in common. I just happened to mention to DH I don’t have much fun at them and he seemed shocked. Which is surprising as I never want to go lol.
Also not sure if D16 will get an allowance or not. If she does it won’t be much. She will have to have some type of job while in school. We will be paying so much just to have her attend that she needs to shoulder some of the burden.Also no car as she also does not have a drivers license. She will be in the heart of the city and will have close by activities and public transportation that is included in her tuition.
Everyone’s input on plans for allowance and cars is very helpful - I often feel like I’m making decisions like this in a vacuum and have no idea if I’m on track with them :). I hesitate to ask friends who know my kid, because that seems a bit too personal.
I guess we need to check on health insurance coverage. We have 3 plans, though - one for medical, one for dental, and one for vision. I think ‘kids’ are covered until age 26 on medical, but does anyone know if that’s also the case for dental and vision plans? Since ours are separate I’m realizing now that maybe our S16 isn’t covered for upcoming dental and eye appointments and related care - yikes!
Also, S16’s school gave him a book to read over the summer for discussions during their August orientation. Do any other schools have summer reading or homework for incoming freshmen? He grumbled, but I suggested he bring it to his job for breaks/slow periods when no one is at the pool so he can get it done this month. They were assigned, “Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference”
by Warren St. John.
As for a car, I don’t drive. But the college recommends freshman don’t bring cars because of parking plus we get to ride the city buses for free with our ID so there really is no need. The immediate area is pretty walkable too.
@lifegarding My kids were also given a book to read that will be discussed during their orientation week. They also have to write a letter to their academic adviser, introducing themselves and outlining their expectations, hopes and dreams. Should be an interesting summer assignment.
@lifegarding I believe you can keep children for all health, dental and vision insurances until age of 26. I remember when this came into law since I was very glad to have my son on my insurance unit he turned 26. Many kids chose to stay on parents insurance maximum allowed even when they can get their own since it is normally less expensive and better insurance.
@lifegarding - That is actually a really interesting read. I loved it. Wish my kid’s school had chosen it! UF chose A Higher Standard by General Ann Dunwoody. I have not read it yet but it doesn’t sound as interesting to me.
@madredos thanks, the description on the back looked like the book would be a great read, so I am hoping to read it when he’s done before he heads off to school in late August. He is a good reader, but typically avoids it…maybe this book will help him get back into casual reading.
I never realized colleges assign books, etc. before freshmen arrive, but this assignment sounds very relevant since they will then have a chance to attend a book event/signing with the author during orientation, and they have to prepare 5 discussion questions to share in small groups to meet other new students. My S16 is not a fan of English assignments like this, but I think he’ll do very well with it since it’s a requirement of all students :).
@Ballerina016 thanks, I am hoping this is the case since he’s now 18 and has all of his dental/vision checkups in the next few weeks before he heads off to school.
As far as I know our dental insurance only covers orthodontics until age 19, but exams, cleaning and such should be till 26. Same with vision coverage.
D2’s school does not allow freshmen to have cars. S1 and D1 both had cars sophomore through senior years.
We do not give our kids allowances in college for entertainment. They are expected to have jobs in high school, summers, and a few hours a week in college to cover these expenses. After the merit scholarships, we cover tuition, room, board, fees, books, travel to and from home, necessary clothing.
D2 also has a common reading book for freshmen this summer and the author also shows up during orientation (and 4 years later at graduation!). I read her book and I rather liked it. D1’s book was really hard to get through and I had to force myself to read 50 pages a day. (She is not a reader so we often read books together in high school). D2 tends to procrastinate, so she will probably leave it mostly until August, though she has started reading.
I know I will receive a summer reading assignment at orientation