@Meddy I agree Hunter boots are big. Also LL Bean has a short boot that gets worn a lot even on “regular” winter days.
@burghdad I was so sad to read about the hard times your family has gone through this month. My dad has dementia as well and I know all the ups and downs it has brought to our life but goodbye is so final. We also have a dog who has had health issues. Somtimes at night I worry about how I am going to make those hard phone calls to D18 when she is 700 miles away and “alone”. The only consolation in all of this was that your daughter was not at school yet.
And for everyone else …thank goodness there is no BF in the picture here. My BFF went through the breakup of her daughter and her boyfriend in the falll which was their freshman year at different schools. Almost undid the whole freshman experience.
With regard to boyfriends and girlfriends, I think we need to understand as parents that it’s largely out of our hands. D1 had a boyfriend when she started college. My preference was that they date other kids while they were away at different schools, but they didn’t see it that way. Fast forward to October of freshman year and there was a bad breakup. It was bad. D got through it, but it was really rough. So my (unsolicited) advice is to let them do what they want, but be ready to help pick up the breakup pieces.
None of my Ds have BFs right now, and after witnessing their break ups from past relationships, sometimes I hope that none of them ever have a BF again! I’m being facetious but geez, break ups are brutal! I just want them to find the right one and get married…eventually. I have mom friends who want my Ds for their Ss. In a different time and place, it would all be arranged.
I guess I’m in the camp of there’s not much you can do when they love each other. I sure did stupid things for love…until I met H. ;
I’m trying to waive the required student health care insurance, and there was all this information on their website about your students privacy and various laws to protect that. My D will be signing the FERPA forms (not available on their website, of course) and a general power of attorney (so I can access her bank account) and a health care proxy appointing me as her agent.
My question for anyone who has gone through this before, is it possible to send the FERPA forms to the college so they have it in their records and I don’t have to go through an issue each and every time I’d need something? Who would I send this to? I really only want to use the documents in the event of an emergency or if I have a big concern that my D is off the rails in a big way, but it sure would be easier to deal with the school if the FERPA document has already been submitted and approved.
I’ve already submitted the power of attorney to the bank (and I have another original just in case something else comes up), and I’ve submitted the health care proxy to her local doctors and have another original that I’ll hold onto for any doctors or hospitals at her school if necessary.
My DS15 has 2 umbrellas that he uses. A standard folding umbrella that will fit in his backpack just in case and a large golf umbrella he uses most of the time. The gold umbrella does a better job keeping his backpack dry in a downpour.
@melvin123 Re: FERPA, check to see if the school issues a FERPA password. Our S’s school allows students to setup parents with FERPA. If we inquire about something they ask for the password. No submitting of documents with any/every inquiry.
yes to rain boots, umbrella and rain jacket with hoods. At least for schools in the East where you get plenty of rain. I knew my DD would use that stuff, but was surprised when my DS asked for it also (and uses it). I guess its no fun walking across campus in the rain and if you have class in 10 minutes you can’t always wait for it subside before you head out.
They have separate snow boots, coats, hats, gloves. Its a mountain of gear that somehow fits in that small dorm room.
@melvin123 - Thanks for sharing and good point about the difference between LD relationship and finding a “local” GF/BF. Interesting about your being more open than the boys parents. We don’t have the same issue about time spent together though - they spend all their time together!
On the flip side, my D is in her first real relationship as of spring soph year (college), with a guy in her friend group she’s known since beginning of school - we are very supportive. Probably annoying to my S. I am more protective of him!
S got his last report card in the mail yesterday, more than a month after graduation. Nothing below a B his last semester except for a D in calculus, which he shouldn’t have even taken. He owes his brother for helping him get the C last quarter that he needed to pass. If S16 ever returned to school he could probably help a lot of fellow students pass math classes.
S now has his fall schedule. He’s taking a science survey, 1 business, 1 music, a theology and a philosophy class. One class on M/W/F, one night class, and the rest on Thursdays. 15 hours. This will give him lots of time for workstudy and spiritual activities. Now we wait on the dorm assignment and the roommate.
S18 got into a fender bender yesterday. Luckily no one hurt but he rear-ended someone in traffic. The other driver was very squirrelly and did not want to exchange info - there was no visible damage to his car. S thinks he may not have had a valid license. Son’s damage is not too bad so I think we might be better off not filing for insurance and pay ourselves. My only worry is if the other guy comes out of the woodwork with a claim and we have not reported it.
