Like just about everyone else, I came here looking for opinions about college. Then you feel like you start to know people, and their “kids” and pets. I only do FB for 2 specific purposes, so this is my social media presence.
Even if I don’t agree with people on a subject, I feel like most of do our honest best to provide good advice, make recommendations, weigh in on various subjects, provide support when needed, etc. You know what you’re getting over time, and we are a fairly wise bunch with lots of knowledge across a wide variety of topics when you consider the hive. I like how threads in this part of the forum are allowed to wander. Sometimes I come for advice, sometimes I am trying to help others, and sometimes it’s entertainment.
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I first arrived here almost 19 years ago (yikes) while researching NMF score cutoffs for DS. It has been the most wonderful place for me to go - friendly, helpful, comforting, amusing, informative, challenging, and so much more. I’ve met several members irl (hosted an area meetup twice) and feel that others are really friends, at least as much as one can be virtually. I hope that would carry forth if we ever meet in person!
It’s my main social community, and a place where I feel any question can get answered. Where’s the best apple picking near X town in Michigan? What’s this hotel like in a Russian industrial city? What is this object d’art? How can I fine tune our vacation? And don’t ever tell my husband what I put in the Say it Here thread!
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I find a lot of smart and experienced people who are willing to share - I learn a lot of good information from many posts and good humor from others. Blissfully, politically free. Don’t see too much angst among the Parent Cafe threads.
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i joined i 2014; was an avid reader and participant with 4 kids going to college; but now havent been around as much - partly cuz i got sucked into the FB paying for college 101 group! nuts.
but i like parents cafe. i used to love the house flip posts too. so many good stories that have been found here. And the class of 2020 has a strong still going FB group that I’ve enjoyed; and met a few people from in real life!
I’m on CC tonight; first time in awhile; and laughing at the ads showing up under some people’s posts. at first i thought those posters were posting some really random pictures; then i realized they were ads. Not a bad idea. but dang - one ad was for undergarments posted under a guy poster. made me laugh!!!
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I came as the clingy mom of a college freshman, seeking advice about parents weekend; I stayed for the CC Book Club! So many thanks to @Mary13 , @ignatius , @jerseysouthmomchess , and all the regulars who make the discussion so satisfying!
For anyone who doesn’t know, the next discussion is
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/t/the-story-of-arthur-truluv-october-cc-book-club-selection/
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The old timers will get this:
You had me at “magical egg cooker thingy”.
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Some CC fashionistas will remember the famous coatigan!!!
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You all helped me when I posted a thread entitled “Help! I accidentally changed my computer default language to Chinese!”*
Enough said 
Except for when is this Maine meeting? I must have missed the post?
*I was just trying to activate the function for typing Chinese characters. But changed everything to Chinese instead and I can’t read Chinese so I couldn’t reset it back to English. 
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I did that once with French. Took me days to get it back.
I stay for the travel tips. And this week learning about estates and beneficiaries and just told my brother to get his stuff in order and make sure he lists beneficiaries as I’m not unwinding all his stuff when he dies.
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I love that CC has moderators and that threads stick to topics for the most part. You see such kindness and wisdom and humility in posters. I love that posters have wide range of experiences that inform them of their points of view and that I get to understand that where I live is not the sole culture of thinking, expectations, judgements etc… I love the recommendations for all stages of life… especially our relationships with our adult children that are not fully on their own yet… I have always been interested in the operations/ business in running a school or college/university. There is sooo much that goes on to keep a great institution running and that relationships we have / our kids have with great teachers/educators/mentors/ coaches boost us for years/ decades, sometimes a lifetime.
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Also the MULTI PAGE leggings discussion!!! 
We have been through a lot of CC format changes - some of which led to some great “friends” leaving but have to say it seems we have landed in a pretty stable format place! So glad we got past the visual badges idea… 
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Because you’re all so silly.
Because twice – years and years ago – when there was the possibility of our moving due to job changes, DH and I met up with several of you in the areas we might have moved to.
And because when S1 and S2 moved to new areas, I was able to find a CC person in each location to be an “auntie” to my boys.
I feel like I have friends all over the country.
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The cafe is a fun place to hang out. Lots to learn from others and a good place to share experiences you don’t necessarily want to share with real life friends.
I joined back in the dark ages - I found CC when I was looking for information on PLUS testing for CTY. Marite was such a wonderful resource. I mostly read, rarely posted until D was in high school. Our parent thread “class of 2009” - or maybe it was “class of 2013” was so active and chatty - such a fun group of parents. I have stayed in touch with several of those folks outside of CC as it seems they’ve been able to move on!
Something I enjoy doing now is being a CC essay reader, particularly working with Questbridge applicants. That’s been really fun. I also really appreciate @abasket for starting so many fun threads in the cafe!
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We’d love to have you join us, @LeastComplicated!
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Dare I say “22 pillows” or “ceramic pineapple”?
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I sometimes wonder what percentage of traffic on the site is still college related compared to how much is on the parent cafe!
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Because it’s too people-y out there
Like most of us, came for the college, stayed for the café
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I joined when my daughter was starting high school before the pandemic. It was a good feeling advising kiddos on college admissions and career decisions. By the time it was her turn to apply to college, I had learned a lot from the community here. Ultimately, she opted for the debt free option starting at community college. That kid of mine has a good head on her shoulders. She takes after her mother.
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A few reasons
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It is hard for parents to find information about veterinary school paths and pitfalls when starting out. Sources like Student Doctor Network are only for students and the APVMA website is only of so much help. I am facinated by education and the process and this is my way of helping.
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Yes, I am a rocket scientist. My first love is teaching and education so I get my fill in other places. If I can help anyone with my knowledge I love to do it. I have hired and continue to so I know a few things about the engineering world. (Math major and MBA also)
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I like telling people there are schools outside the top 20, 50 or 100s where students can thrive and are great schools! It depends on the school, the student and what they are looking for. If I can suggest something out of the box and it works it makes me happy.
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The parent community. Great place to vent, brag, get suggestions, advice, etc. Better than FB! I just helped a friend moving his daughter into college next week with some advice I got here. Great community for parents.
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