With both my kids in college this year, there are lots of things I'm not missing, like IEP meetings and phone calls to administrators over missing services and schedules that come at the last minute all messed up. One thing I am a little sad about, though, as we roll into the latter part of September, is the absence of a Back to School Night on my horizon. I did attend a couple of orientations at my kids' community college, at which parents were herded into a room and allowed to ask questions while their kids did what I certainly hope were more interesting things. But in terms of walking into classrooms, sitting down at desks, hearing professors explain exactly what they'll be doing and expecting? No such opportunity. I'm left to study syllabi for clues, peer through the window of classrooms in off hours, and hope that if we pass one of their profs in the corridor, my kids won't be too embarrassed to point them out to me. Not the same, my friends, not the same.
If you still have the opportunity to do the whole Back to School Night thing, I sure hope you're taking advantage of it. Think you'd rather schedule an evening root canal instead? Aw, it's not so bad. Read my list of 10 Reasons to Go to Back-to-School Night to see why it's worth the trouble. For parents who really can't get out that evening to network with school folk, you can put together your own after-the-fact version. And while you're at it, check out my tips for making this the best school year ever and getting yourself in good school spirits. The years when you're more than just a tuition check with legs go so, so fast.
Photo by Terri Mauro