Wow...that's pretty bad...

I had posted a few weeks ago that my D told me that several of her friends' said their moms were going up this week. So for those that go, why do they hide out on Bid Day??

Wouldn't they just go to circle area and hang back from Lyceum to take pictures of the run??

I have told y'all I was new so I just don't understand if you're going to support your D and take pics of the "run" why would you hide out??

Please help me understand. Thanks...

I'm new too, and I had heard stories of moms going for the whole week. I think they must be alums wanting to see their own friends because with my daughters schedule I doubt I will see her much. I am going Friday through Sunday and I bet I hardly see her at all. I will go for the run and I think the hiding must not be for that, but before that for some reason to try to find out the bid early?

I also did not know that I was supposed to send her something each day for the week. I did get the Lily Pad postcard saying that they had me covered for the week, but I was like, for what? So I was late to that! She did get her week of presents, I just didn't know until the last minute that it was a "thing". I did rush at a different college many years ago, and that wasn't a thing there or then.

We went up for the parents weekend in early September and I saw a sign in the Lily Pad's window about signing up for Rush Week gifts. I called from home when I got back and found out and signed up then, so around Sept. 9. the woman told me that moms had been calling to sign up since June!! But she said not to worry that there would be many more calling after me.

The only issue with calling later is that bid gifts are delivered to the sorority house in order that the order was made. So your DD will still get it but later.

I was thinking about going and have reservations that I can cancel, but I'll likely go. I know I won't see my DD very much either. But as I had also posted a few weeks ago, my D had issues with tire indicator light on her car even though she has brand new tires. So I may go up and get them checked out while she's doing rush stuff Sat, maybe visit with her Sunday morning, then see the run take a few pics then come home. I thought it would be easier to get on and off campus to get her car on a weekend without a home game. The other weekends we're going up later in fall will be for home games.

Even though there may be parents there for rush activities, it won't be as many people as for home games.

If that qualifies me for helicopter parent, so be it!

I qualify too :) I would rather go when I can spend more time with her, but she wants me there this weekend, so off I will go. It is a time to check and see what else she may need during the term and I can shop. I won't go again during this term. The trip is long (5.5 hours) and I have a younger child at home who is busy which makes it difficult. So either she comes home for a visit, or Thanksgiving is next! I am sure she is going to get even busier after bid day and won't worry about me much. :) Thank goodness I get to see instagram pics! I ordered from Lily Pad Tuesday of this week! So she will be last on the list to get a basket, but at least it will be there!

I did ask my DD as well, said it was up to her. She said I want to see you but I know I won't have as much time.

It's about the same length for me, but I'm an empty nester so I can make the trip without any issues. Also, my D has had school-related activities on weekends since mid-September so she hasn't been able to get it to a tire place. I will have peace of mind if I go get the tires checked myself....

And I'm bringing up more winter items since she didn't bring much and being from NOLA, 50 degree temps means we can wear our long stored away winter items! tee hee

Maybe we can stand by each other in the Circle, take pics and wave as they run off! lol!!

Yes, we're NOLA Katrina refugees! Miss it so much!

The moms hiding in the bushes is an issue DURING rush, not after receiving their bids. They were trying to influence their daughters' decisions during the rush process. Bad Bad Bad moms! I am waiting for the day that an overly invested mom gets too excited and makes the run to the house on Bid Day WITH her DD :)

Thanks for the explanation!!

:confused: okay, I get the whole not hiding in the bushes, but why can't we just hang out in Union Plaza/Grove and sneak a peek at their invite lists? Seems ashamed if we are in town on Saturday that we can't simply ask our daughters which houses they are going to? Is this not allowed?

I obviously didn't get the message that presents were needed each day of the week! We sent flowers and are sending bid day gifts, but every day??? Does that make me a bad mom? :o:D:eek::confused:

You are not a bad mom if you didn't send your daughter gifts everyday! I know way back in 1996 my parents didn't know about all of gifts either and I got flowers instead! You will have plenty of time (think b-day/holidays) to shower her with gifts with her new sorority letters!

I personally would not hang out in the Union when they get their invite list. Remember this week is for YOUR daughter not for you. If she wants to tell you where she is going each round she can text you when the parties are over or the next day. But I would give her space. Plus, you don't want to look like a helicopter parent! Who knows if Panhellenic will ask you to leave but I'm going to think they will ask you to leave. Maybe I feel this way because I've been an advisor for so long I can understand how a PNM needs her privacy. Let her find her own home. ALL of the sororities at Ole Miss are amazing so she cannot go wrong. Have faith in her and she will find her new home!

No I don't think so.... I think it's an excellent marketing ploy by Lily Pad and I confess I fell for it hook, line and sinker.

I only knew about it b/c we visited on Parents weekend and saw the sign. I checked with my DD's roommate's mom and she didn't know about it either.

I think your first paragraph was said tongue in cheek, and I chuckled when I read it. The sad thing is that there probably are mothers who think nothing of trying to choreograph their daughters recruitment and not giving their poor daughters a moment to themselves. Can you imagine? Poor girls!

I wouldn't worry about not purchasing the daily rush week gifts. What a brilliant marketing ploy by the local business! Letting her phone you or sending you text messages and being generally supportive is much more important.

AMEN!!!! What manipulation by the local Greek store :mad:

Well, I saw the sign, too, at Orientation. I talked to my DD's roommate's mom. We decided to send flowers at the beginning and letter gifts on bid day (Lord willing, they get a bid). Nothing in between as our girls don't like or need more "stuff" in their room. Most of our friends are doing the same or maybe sending one mid-week gift. I'm just saying this so anyone reading these posts doesn't feel like their girl is being neglected if she isn't showered with gifts all week. We chose gifts that we'd probably end up buying anyway (tshirt, car decal, etc) from Lily Pad. Frankly, I'd rather not ours be the ones with over the top bid week gifts/attention. It's a gift to be at Ole Miss and going through rush, right? And from all I hear, the girls are having a blast. Fingers crossed, prayers that all will find a happy home.

And most of my friends are heading up Friday night or Saturday morning and plan to lay low til Sunday afternoon. It IS about the girls and nothing we do/say is really necessary at this point. We've agreed having dinner out/comparing notes is not a good thing for any of us. Hope we can stick to it!

So where do the semi-helicopter (glider? counselor? photographer?) moms gather on Sunday afternoon who don't want to influence their daughter's choices but just wants to be there to share in their hopeful joy??

In the circle?

On the steps of say Bryant Hall -- so we can see them as they run to Sorority Row or in the event of no bid, quickly swoop them off campus, ducking behind Fulton Hall and the Union??

On the Union Plaza??

We are all in the same boat. I've been told we will "know" where to be but I don't want to take a chance. Any advice GC advisors? If all the houses were on the same row it'd be simpler, right?

Yes, this is an excellent question. Where do I go wait all by my lonesome? Someone should organize a concurrent moms social event (complete with gifts, lol) to a)keep moms busy and away from girls, and b) to keep moms entertained since they are not to be clinging to daughters. Oooh, wait, this is an excellent business idea for next year!

olemissmom2017: great idea! We can go sit in union lobby and watch the Saints play the Bears. Kickoff is noon. Game should end around 3 then we can watch the run toward the houses.....

Go to Youtube and search Ole Miss Rush.....

Two good ones to give you an idea about bid day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCdtE2or13Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCW470rIwV8

What kind of gifts do they get during rush week?

My mom sent flowers and cute shirts (tshirt variety). Other girls' moms sent cupcakes or cookies!

I just let the lily pad pick them out and asked my daughter for pictures. They said they send a variety and asked me her tshirt size and if she had a car (license plate), and they just mix it up.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this correct use of the plural possessive. May the sororities recognize how special you are.

http://livecam.olemiss.edu/union/

The PNMs get their skit invites at 3pm today I believe....

WAY COOL!!! I never knew about the live cameras! Thank you :)

There's also one of the food court -- can see what they're wearing and they're showing each other their invite lists. So cute!

Just heard from DD, she got invited back to four!:rolleyes:

Just got off the phone with my daughter. She got invited back to 6 houses for skit night. Her top 4 favorites and two from the bottom moved up. She is thrilled to have so many of her favorites to go back to. She is in very good spirits, but very tired! Don't know how she has been managing 8 am classes every day!

She said it is sad to see girls crying and at least everyone she knows has been cut from at least two of their top 6 houses. She knows of one girl already released. Seems that cuts have been brutal this year.

As far as gifts go - i guess i'm just a bad mom. I sent flowers one day, and did buy into the whole bid day gifts, but gifts every day??? This "bad" mom thinks that is simply crazy!!! I can't believe Hallmark hasn't come out with a card yet!

We will be up there tomorrow, and i'm looking forward to seeing her, but this mom is afraid of heights and spiders, lurking in trees and bushes just isn't my thing! ;)

Ok, all of us moms that are not sending daily gifts are not "bad". We are prepping our girls for real life so their future husbands don't have to compete with unrealistic expectations to make their wife happy. Isn't that what we want? Real women with real values? Not princesses. Just saying. I have 3 boys and 1 girl She is appreciative of the little things. Pat yourself on the back if you are not raising a girl who expects everything to go her way/make her happy. I mean they should be blissful they get to go to an awesome school. Who needs gummy bears and balloons? They are loved. I'm preaching to myself, ya'll,
as I do the whole shoulda/coulda/woulda/ and have to stop myself. Our kids are so blessed to be going to a great school and have parents that care.

No one is bad for not sending daily gifts. that whole thing is outrageous!!!!! :)

Outrageous and pushed by the very people who want to sell you the stuff!! Don't let the hype get to you. Your DDs will be getting PLENTY of swag come Bid Day. Trust us!

msmom & olemissmom2017 - agreed and agreed! This entire recruitment experience for me has been crazy, start to finish! 1400 girls, 9 sororities, resumes, grades, activities, pictures, rec letters, letter of support, rush packets, trips to Oxford, rush wardrobe, the right shoes, bags, jewelry, hair/highlights, makeup, mani/pedi, brows, classes, roommate drama, tests, reputation, alumnae connections, thank you letters, late night phone calls, anxiety, fears, tears! And now they want gifts too? Sunday cannot get here quick enough! Stop the merry-go-round, let me off!!!

Haven't heard from my DD tonight. Sent multiple texts. Freaking out a little....

I feel you hearttoheart. They are going to do fine without us. I just have to keep repeating that mantra. Can't wait til Sunday.

Newbierebmom - keep us posted!

And ThetaLady we so love your encouragement and positive attitude. My mom was a theta at UT -

Okay, phew....just hung up. She got invited to 5; 3 tonight and 2 tomorrow night.

My D has a school activity each night from 7 to 10 so she only made it to 3 houses for philanthropy round so she was excited to get invited to 5 for skit!!! She was also cut from 2 of her top ones as well but was relieved she got invites to 5.

She is happy and excited that the skit rounds are scheduled around her schedule so she will be able to make all 5.

And she was excused from her activity Sat & Sun so she will be available for all recruitment activities those days!

YAY! Hurry Sunday!!

I have a question I am hoping some of the Ole Miss or recruitment experts can answer.

I just received an email from a darling young woman I sponsored. I also helped obtain sponsorships for other houses to increase her chances of a positive recruitment experience. She was released from all houses but one tonight. I knew she might not fair well in a large formal recruitment but this makes me sick as she would be a great asset to a house. She is very open to the remaining house as well as the ADPi colony.

However, she is under the impression that if she is released by the one remaining house after tomorrow, she will not be able to participate in the colonization process. PNM is thinking of dropping out of recruitment tomorrow so she can pursue the colony. Can anyone give me some guidance? I am just so sad for this sweet young woman.

Oh no ggforever. I am so sorry to hear that.

I don't have any expertise but just wanted to say that I was so sorry.

Maybe she can ask her gamma chi tomorrow? Again, so sorry....