Big / Little Adoption

[AZTheta]

To the OP: I'm still in contact with my Big, after (mumble mumble) years, however I can't recall what I had for breakfast, much less who my little was. Although I think I know. But I'm not sure. Which is kind of funny.

If your big is no longer in the chapter (guessing he is no longer a member? or was it a typo and you meant "now graduated" instead of "not graduated") then it seems that you have figured out a good solution for yourself already! You have someone who wants to adopt you - go for it! I wish you good luck because I think you would like to have a more positive experience, and I think you are taking steps to achieve that goal. The whole Letters thing is big in college, I hope you can get some letters to wear. And t shirts. And all that stuff. Like hats. Because honestly it looks dumb to me when old farts and fartesses wear letters. THAT IS MY OPINION.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

On a sidenote, do groups actually use big/little officially? We are not allowed to, though obviously everyone still does.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

On a sidenote, do groups actually use big/little officially? We are not allowed to, though obviously everyone still does.

Did your chapter use big or pledge mom? Our Illinois chapter used pledge mom but have since switched to big/little. I can't remember other chapters using big/little back then but I don't know if I just am remembering it wrong.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

Did your chapter use big or pledge mom? Our Illinois chapter used pledge mom but have since switched to big/little. I can't remember other chapters using big/little back then but I don't know if I just am remembering it wrong.

Was/is pledge mom/pledge daughter a regional thing? I remember the first time I saw it in a chapter's write-up in our magazine and I was so confused.

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Was/is pledge mom/pledge daughter a regional thing? I remember the first time I saw it in a chapter's write-up in our magazine and I was so confused.

I guess that is my question. DBB is from the same campus as I am, and I wonder if her chapter used pledge mom, because I had never heard of big/little until I moved south. I don't care for the term "big" since that is code for "fat." I haven't heard of anybody using pledge mom anymore though. I'm sure it was hazing.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by irishpipes

I guess that is my question. DBB is from the same campus as I am, and I wonder if her chapter used pledge mom, because I had never heard of big/little until I moved south. I don't care for the term "big" since that is code for "fat." I haven't heard of anybody using pledge mom anymore though. I'm sure it was hazing.

Our official term is Carnation Sister. Both my older CS and my younger CSes are both CS. There's no big/little or older/younger distinction. I assumed other groups had gone the same way.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

On a sidenote, do groups actually use big/little officially? We are not allowed to, though obviously everyone still does.

Our official terms are either "big brother" or "mentor." I'm not sure I've ever known of a chapter that used "mentor."

[AZTheta]

I have not seen anything official on that front. Only the use of BABIES and kittens and the like.

[Titchou]

We always said Big Sister and Little Sister - never abbreviated it. Pledge Mom was the Pledge Trainer. But then this was back when dinos roamed the earth....

[irishpipes]

Originally Posted by Titchou

We always said Big Sister and Little Sister - never abbreviated it. Pledge Mom was the Pledge Trainer. But then this was back when dinos roamed the earth....

Big sister sounds so much better than Big!

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by Titchou

You know, 33, you are very good at giving your opinion about campuses where you have no experience so I really have a hard time grasping why you feel the need to castigate somone else for doing the same thing while stating it was THEIR experience.

Originally Posted by 33girl

If suggesting someone think of people other than themselves is "castigating" them, just call me the Castigator!

And seeing as you had a whole herd of cows over someone suggesting housing options for a chapter - without bothering to ask (most likely because you didn't care or because it wasn't in your frame of reference) what the campus is like, all I can say is, pot, meet kettle.

I don't think 33 was out of line to point out the "varies by campus" issue.


To the off topic discussion, we had a Pledge Mom and then you got a Heart Sis on Bid Day and a Big Sis a few weeks into pledging; then a Violet Sis during Initiation Week. Big Sis was shortened to "Big" in casual settings and Little Sis to Lil.

It wasn't till GC that I heard of AGDs practice of Mother/Daughter.

[AOII Angel]

In my chapter, we always said Big Sis/ Lil Sis. I don't remember ever saying The entire word, sister, just sis. We signed things <3, ybs or <3, yls when making gifts or writing notes to our Big Sis/ Lil Sis.

[WhiteRose1912]

Theta Phi Alpha uses Big Sister and Little Sister. We do not officially condone "Big" and "Little". That being said, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say the full title. I imagine it sounds too much like a biological relationship, rather than something unique to the Greek experience.

[lmbird0]

My line wouldn't die out my tree is the largest tree in our organization there are several branches left, I was just wondering if any one else chapters experienced a little getting a new big...

Thanks

[sigmagirl2000]

My chapter of initiation did mothers and daughters until a few years ago when NHQ insisted they change to big sister and little sister which they SHOULD have done YEARS before that....