<p>“She was genuinely upset that he did not invite her to his pick-up football game with the guys”</p>
<p>Even parents, obsessive alumnae and students suffer from mental illness. What you describe is so extreme, there is a very good chance that she is mentally ill. </p>
<p>(NIMH estimates that a full 26 percent of the population over 18 years of age suffers from some sort of mental illness at some time in their lives.)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I thought the young man attended the alum luncheon with his mother? </p>
<p>When I am interested in seeing someone where they live, I call and check their availability first. My parents did not just “drop in” when I was away at college or after college when I married. I did not do that to my son at college. Nor did I expect him to change all his plans if I did come visit. We scheduled things but it was truly voluntary not “he owed me” to be available.</p>
<p>Parents weekend is usually some short period after school starts. Should they stay away from that, too? Maybe she gave him plenty of notice. Maybe they did to something together. Or maybe he’s Mr Too Busy. We don’t know.</p>
<p>Takeitallin–If I’d gotten a “Cars” bedspread for DS he would have said , “Thanks, Mom! That was nice of you to get me a bedspread! Interestiing decorating choice.” And then gone out and bought something different without mentioning it again. He’s really too good.<br>
Only input I got from DD with dorm was a basic color she liked so I was the one at BBB by myself. She didn’t care a bit about shopping and was glad for me to do it.</p>