You get invited to your kid’s over-priced private college parents weekend

cause these days kids need a 4.12 GPA to get into a state school. The “Parent’s Weekend Agenda” consists of an orientation, faculty virtual class and a theater production. The “orientation” will undoubtedly include the Chancellor extolling the virtues and brilliant legacy of past alum so you don’t slit your wrists over your last 401K withdrawal. You consider going to the theater production but instead opt for the hotel bar.

When you arrive and visit your kid’s Cell Block H dorm room complete with cinderblocks and a crappy fridge you had to spring for from Amazon you wonder why the price of an education has soared like good real estate but without the promise of any resale value.

You’re compelled to participate for fear your kid will fall into the ever-widening wealth gap and join the rest of the Plebs relegated to asking “Do you want fries with that burger?”

The irony is that when the kid graduates, employers that are left, will be looking for individuals to run the bots – the kids who took a different path and have the capability to think deeply, adapt quickly and dare I say, be interesting.

So maybe they should stretch a little - spread their wings. I’m not saying hop off the grid completely, we know they will need a placeholder – just recognize these are their college years. As my dear friend once said to them “It’s when the least will be expected of you.” So encourage them to take a year abroad, register for a class in existential philosophy, build a smart treehouse, or whatever they can imagine…cause the price to pay is already too high so might as well make it count.