Move-in day at YSU hard on parents

Move-in day at YSU hard on parents

YOUNGSTOWN — Move-in weekend can be the beginning of a tough transition for first-year students, said Bill Sperlazza, the student housing director at Youngstown State University.

But sometimes it’s tougher for the parents.

In his more than 30 years as housing director, Sperlazza’s seen his share of “helicopter parents,” the term popularized to identify hyper-involved Generation-X parents who “hover” over their children.

Involved parents are generally beneficial to all parties, Sperlazza said. But natural protection instincts can cause problems when parents start taking over tasks that should be left to the new student, he said.

Parental interference with roommate disputes or class registration are the classic examples, he said.

“I’ve even had parents get involved with furniture arrangements in the room,” he said today, when several students moved in to their residence halls.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.