<p>i guess i understand wanting to help your child, but taking part in an internet forum by yourself (sometimes with 4+ years until child has to think about college) just seems like you are putting too much pressure on their future. its their life and their education. i just don’t really understand it.</p>
<p>College? What college? LOL. This is the best political, garden, home remodeling, travel, pet care, etc. forum I’ve ever found ;)</p>
<p>The OP <em>must</em> be kidding. You didn’t see the titles, “Parent Cafe” and “Parent Forum” on the Discussion links?</p>
<p>Heck, sure, we have zero investment in our children’s futures – particularly those of us who have shelled out money not only for college, but for private schooling prior to those college decisions.</p>
<p>That’s right, BunsenBurner. I came to this forum when my younger son was preparing for college. It was very helpfu to me then. He will be a senior in college this year, and I doubt I will be very involved in grad school applications–since he will be looking for specialized schools that I know nothing about. Still, I hang around here, mainly in the Parent Cafe, just because it is so interesting. And it is a place where I can ask those questions I don’t know where to ask–like which car is best or what’s wrong with my computer–and join in conversations about politics, religion, gardening, etc. It’s just a fun place to hang out when I have a little extra time.</p>
<p>
but not their money</p>
<p>In general, parents who hang out at CC broaden their ideas of what might make their kid happy or successful, and the Venn Diagram that unites those two goals. </p>
<p>If you think it’s easy figuring all this out, it’s not. As for a peer group, sometimes the other folks at the office don’t have kids in similar age range or aspirations.</p>
<p>Personally, I hang out here because car advice websites intimidate me, but nobody here would.</p>
<p>Because we like it here.</p>
<p>lol…/…</p>
<p>At least once every six months, some younger person comes along to ask this question . . .</p>
<p>The adults here are very friendly, give great advice, and are very welcoming to the college-aged crowd (and younger) when they stop by.</p>
<p>Most of us have a considerable financial “say” in our kids’ higher education decisions and this is a great forum to discuss ideas and get information. There are very few of us willing to “Shut up and write the checks” when that time comes.</p>
<p>addiction. and, possibly, no life ;)</p>
<p>^^^ I resemble that remark.</p>
<p>We need a reason?</p>
<p>bored, avoiding work, ____(fill in the blank)</p>
<ol>
<li>Because it’s a way to support our alma mater(s) and help young skulls full of mush start the process to adulthood.</li>
<li>It’s tough to find smarter folks to debate, get advice from and discuss whatever issues are at hand.</li>
<li>Show some respect. We invented this forum concept. You young folks are here out of our good graces. Please clean up after yourselves.</li>
</ol>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Knowledge is power, ExplorerCY. Most of us want to guide and help our kids, not control and coerce them. And to do that well, we need to be informed. </p>
<p>In my own case, I’m the mom of a bright but very shy and socially awkward daughter. I want her to have a happy college experience, and that means helping her find a school that’s a really good fit for her both personally and academically. (Not to mention financially, which certainly does involve me!) It’s difficult to navigate all the onslaught of college info out there–why should she have to do it alone?</p>
<p>great reply, lunitari. My sentiments (and situation), exactly.</p>
<p>Lots of thoughtful responses above as to reasons for parents to “visit” and post here. </p>
<p>But, beyond why parents are posting on a site like this, I always wonder, with all there is to do, explore and become involved with in high school and college, why is any student taking the time to post here and spend their time here in cyberspace.</p>
<p>No excuse here. Except that I’m trying to wade through two sets of documents in different languages and trying to reconcile the information contained in them.
I don’t know whether to bless or curse computers. Less paper mess, more eye-strain. And I’m stuck at the computer (that’s my excuse).</p>
<p>These Parent forums are the places kids hanging around CC usually turn to get advice when their posts draw only silly responses/criticism of other teens on the other CC forums.</p>
<p>If I didn’t hang out here I would be pushing the vacuum cleaner around right now instead of have Roomba do it!</p>
<p>Well in that case, check this out. maybe you have some input: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/517877-am-i-looking-right-schools-please-help.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/517877-am-i-looking-right-schools-please-help.html</a></p>