Inspired by mrsv98's Thread About Dropping Her DD Off...

[Sandy V.]

I have a funny story to contribute to this topic .... and to the fact that these parents don't change....no matter how old the kid. When I worked at a major East Coast university, housing was at a premium and there was lots of 'competition' for more preferred dorms and rooms. One female student was assigned to an average dorm, commonly used for freshman. Her Dad called me to request a reassignment to another more desirable space.....but his reason was.........that his daughter was "too beautiful to stay in that dorm." He swore that "she'd be harrassed all day and needed a dorm where she could have a room of her own with no roommates who would bring in 'gawkers.'
One Dad, whose son was assigned to a men's floor with a shared bathroom, requested reassignment because his son was too 'well-endowed' and did not want to engender 'jealousy' among his floormates.

You just made me spray water all over my keyboard!! Goodness; my oldest will go away to college next year. Give me the strength to NOT behave like this!!

 

[kasar]

I have a funny story to contribute to this topic .... and to the fact that these parents don't change....no matter how old the kid. When I worked at a major East Coast university, housing was at a premium and there was lots of 'competition' for more preferred dorms and rooms. One female student was assigned to an average dorm, commonly used for freshman. Her Dad called me to request a reassignment to another more desirable space.....but his reason was.........that his daughter was "too beautiful to stay in that dorm." He swore that "she'd be harrassed all day and needed a dorm where she could have a room of her own with no roommates who would bring in 'gawkers.'
One Dad, whose son was assigned to a men's floor with a shared bathroom, requested reassignment because his son was too 'well-endowed' and did not want to engender 'jealousy' among his floormates.

I'm not sure which of the above stories is more disturbing! YUCK!

 

[Cyndirella]

Your story reminds me of one of the moms in elementary school when my kids were younger. She also volunteered every day in her sons' classrooms, as well as accompany their classes on any field trips (I went in on Friday mornings back then).

This mom was so overprotective that I would watch her get REALLY nervous and visibly agitated if anyone except the teacher would approach her sons for any reason, no matter how legitimate. Even the other kids!!

Sounds like the same mom! My oldest daughter was in third grade when my youngest and her daughter were in kindergarten. Before school started, she was quizzing me about the field trip thing. She freaked out when I told her I didn't attend every field trip and said if she couldn't go, then her daughter couldn't go either. She would also get very upset if the teacher had to call down her daughter in class - who was probably acting up because her mom was in there all day and she knew she could get away with it. I really feel sorry for this child's teachers.

I'm not sure if the mom has mellowed any - my daughter says the child is a spoiled brat and doesn't talk to her much anymore.

 

[Cyndirella]

I have a funny story to contribute to this topic .... and to the fact that these parents don't change....no matter how old the kid. When I worked at a major East Coast university, housing was at a premium and there was lots of 'competition' for more preferred dorms and rooms. One female student was assigned to an average dorm, commonly used for freshman. Her Dad called me to request a reassignment to another more desirable space.....but his reason was.........that his daughter was "too beautiful to stay in that dorm." He swore that "she'd be harrassed all day and needed a dorm where she could have a room of her own with no roommates who would bring in 'gawkers.'
One Dad, whose son was assigned to a men's floor with a shared bathroom, requested reassignment because his son was too 'well-endowed' and did not want to engender 'jealousy' among his floormates.

 

[froglady]

I guess many of you would label me an "overinvolved" parent because I walked my children to their kindergarten classes. And,they didn't attend extended day unless I had an emergency.

I will note that it was obvious during science fairs, state projects, etc that many of the "just involved" parents were a little more involved than I was. Many of these parents also purchased an extra set of textbooks to keep at home because they didn't want their children to "miss" a homework assignment due to lack of organization.

So, I was more concerned with my children's physical safety (as they attended a private school with a public street dividing the campus when they were little; the street has since been closed) but they knew from day one that THEY were responsible for their schoolwork. I even did have slight disagreements when teachers would assign projects that required (IMO) too much parental involvement.

Apparently, we all have a different definition as to what defines an "overinvolved" parent. FWIW, my daughter did fine in MS, HS, and college despite my "hovering" in elementary school. I can't help but think that MY life would have been easier (definitely happier) if MY mother had "hovered" just a bit.

 

[chrissyk]

One Dad, whose son was assigned to a men's floor with a shared bathroom, requested reassignment because his son was too 'well-endowed' and did not want to engender 'jealousy' among his floormates.

 

[Cyndirella]

Nope, I wouldn't say you were overinvolved if you walked your child to their classrooms - especially if it was due to a safety concern. I can only speak for myself, but the parents I think are overinvolved are the types that have been mentioned in this thread....the ones that are staying in their child's classroom all day, eat lunch with them 3 times a week, get upset when the teacher corrects the child, etc. The ones who can't "let go" and let their children grow up a little.

I support my daughter's schools. I attend PTO meetings, sell fundraisers, make sure they have done their homework, ask about their classes, classmates, teachers, etc. but I do not feel the need to be there every day.

 

[Christine]

Nope, I wouldn't say you were overinvolved if you walked your child to their classrooms - especially if it was due to a safety concern. I can only speak for myself, but the parents I think are overinvolved are the types that have been mentioned in this thread....the ones that are staying in their child's classroom all day, eat lunch with them 3 times a week, get upset when the teacher corrects the child, etc. The ones who can't "let go" and let their children grow up a little.

I support my daughter's schools. I attend PTO meetings, sell fundraisers, make sure they have done their homework, ask about their classes, classmates, teachers, etc. but I do not feel the need to be there every day.

Yes, that's me too. And, if I was a SAHM I probably *would* take my kids to school on the first day. But, you know what, I'm not going to use my limited annual leave for it. I need to save that for flu season!!!

 

[roger_ramjet]

People actually stay in their child's classroom? All day? Is this for real?