<p>I know we won’t be able to swing a trip from Germany for our younger daughter’s freshman parent weekend. I happened to mention it to our older daughter (who lives in the states), a 26-year-old stay-at-home mom, and she said she would love to leave the kids with her husband and go. Parent-weekend veterans, do people do things like that, or would she likely feel out of place?</p>
<p>Renee, I think it is absolutely fine, and I am sure that your younger D will really like that! In fact at the school that my son attends, they have changed the name to something like “family weekend”, rather than “parent weekend”.</p>
<p>Hi, Renee,</p>
<p>As I recall, parents weekend was delightful because the kids were all set up, in their dorms, feeling proud and able to introduce you (quickly) to their new friends. There were many concerts, plays and things that were performances so anybody could just sit in the audience (whether or not one’s own kid was there) to see what the college had to offer. Tickets sold out for these concerts, so check on that piece.
At our schools, there weren’t gatherings where the deans spoke with parents, etc., which could make your eldest D feel strange. That happened more aroudn orientation and graduation.
I think you have an all-win situation. Your eldest will get a happy break from home; your youngest will be represented, and you can pump your eldest for a full report later.
I can’t see a disadvantage. In fact, your eldest might be able to stay in the dorm since she’s rather close in age, if she doesn’t care to be alone in a motel. Ask your college D if that’s possible, or allowed.
YOur D will be the cool one with the cool visitor. Maybe be sure eldest D knows to take youngest D out to a restaurant for a meal; that’s a big feature of parent’s weekend. They’re tired of dorm food a bit.
If you can treat a friend of D, then she can invite someone who has “nobody” there for the weekend, and you’ll create a nice threesome at the restaurant.</p>