A little suggestion for move in day

Parents Forum
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<p>If your school provides the services of fraternity/sorority members or upperclass students for move in day, be sure to have your kid LABEL ALL HIS/HER STUFF with name, dorm, and room number. That way, if it lands in the wrong room he/she is more likely to get it back.</p>

<p>Good luck everybody! :)</p>

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<p>Thanks, weenie. Little tidbits like that make me realize it's all too soon for D to head away to school. (and she leaves later than most friends!)</p>

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<p>Concur with this suggestion...at both kids' schools, upperclassmen, RAs, etc were all helping. Important to stick a piece of masking tape on each box, bag, etc with student's name and dorm. It DID work, and some wayward items made their way to the right rooms eventually such that nothing ended up lost or missing.</p>

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<p>Thanks, weenie. That was suggested in the "Welcome Week" stuff we got from PSU. </p>

<p>Also for those kids going to big universities, chances are your car will be emptied, your stuff dumped on the sidewalk and you'll have 5 minutes to move your car, way, way, way far away from the dorm. Don't put too much in the dorm room that will have to go back in the car again. Also, make sure the whole car is cleaned out (i.e. nothing forgotten) so you don't have a long walk to pick up forgotten items. Something to keep in mind.</p>

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<p>The best suggestion for move in day? Keep a smile on your face and your sense of humor in easy reach...</p>

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<p>^ Boy, that is FOR SURE. You may be disappointed by how grumpy your college kid is that day... It's stress, but it can make you feel bad.</p>

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<p>And remember to thank that upperclassperson who is unloading, carrying, etc.</p>

<p>(my son will be one of those!!!!!)</p>

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<p>Weenie, you are so right...I did feel badly that S was so cranky with us that day. It's hard not to take it a little personally when you know that in a few hours you are leaving your "baby" to start a whole new life that doesn't include you (much).</p>

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<p>Quoted: And remember to thank that upperclassperson who is unloading, carrying, etc.</p>

<p>(my son will be one of those!!!!!)</p>

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<p>It never hurts to tip these guys either! Also, once your stuff is the up the stairs and in your room, offer to lend a hand to floormates moving in. It's a great way to meet people, and everyone is grateful--even if it's just one load!</p>

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<p>^^^but if we try to imagine/remember the transition and stress involved for the student, it makes a lot of sense.</p>

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<p>avcastner,</p>

<p>I don't think S is expecting tips!</p>

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<p>Oh, man, son was so cranky and it was so chaotic - first time being 700 miles away from home, knowing nobody - the whole situation was really wearing on him. - he was trying so hard to keep it together. But, it was very hard since we knew we had to leave him there and needed to leave feeling that it was the right thing to do! We had all been teary and cranky through the 13 hours in the overpacked car on the way to school. His was an ED acceptance so we sat in the car trying to remember why he had applied so far away and why we were so happy back in December that he had gotten in!!!!). Reality, our sadness and his stress re: what to expect was overwhelming. Orientation for parents is so important (smile)!</p>

<p>That said, I strongly recommend you bring tissues (smile), something from home that your child can look at later (picture of the dog packed somewhere) and, for actual move in - tools, a measuring tape and a strong back. We had to rearrange furniture, with tons of "stuff" coming into the room, parents and siblings, upperclassmen and RAs, etc. Also, do not be surprised if you bring things home with you. Most dorm rooms have NO space. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring one of those fold up carts either - although we had upperclassmen, they were pretty busy and couldn't carry everything.</p>

<p>We were asked not to contact our student after we separated during orientation but we couldn't leave him there without a final goodbye in the morning. I was very glad we did that. I could tell that he had had a good night, was calmer and happier - busy with activities and not so worried. Do what feels right for you. OK, I am sure this is drifting into another thread now! Agree with labeling - label everything.</p>

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<p>"stick a piece of masking tape on each box, bag, etc with student's name and dorm."
Would that include the box of kleenex that I'll need to have on hand for that final moment?
Funny, I didn't shed a tear at the older kid's send off. Maybe it was because I had younger ones to focus on. Maybe it was that this one is going farther. Maybe I'm just old.</p>

<p>cross posted with Rileydog, who must be one of my dopplegangers. I thought I was the only one going to be needing tissues.</p>

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<p>I was thinking of bring candy bars to thank the people that help</p>

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<p>ZG's school gratefully accepts tips for use toward materials on the upcoming Habitat for Humanity project. Which we think is seriously cool. I'm seriously worried about move-in day. Marriage is starting to show signs of stress from parental deaths and ill health in the last day. ZG is the glue, so . . .</p>

<p>Anyway, I have a room full of shopping bags and wouldn't have thought to label, so Thanks guys!!!</p>

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<p>ZM, we're all hoping for you. I had a friend who went through serious marriage problems due to many job changes and too many kids too fast. She said what held it together was the counselor's directive to wait 3 years after a major life change to make any decision. They laughed and calculated they had already committed through the 40th anniversary. Think of that - 3 years for kid in college, 3 years for each parent's death. Hold on.</p>

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<p>Zoosermom-</p>

<p>Good, steadying thoughts flying =========> your way. </p>

<p>Way too many changes, way too fast, way too much stress. Please hang in there, take those deep breaths, and try to be kind to yourself.</p>

<p>~mafool</p>

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<p>Aw dragonmom, thank you so much. That's great advice. Hubby is starting to freak about ZG leaving (much to his own surprise) and doesn't know what to do with himself. Oy.</p>

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<p>We are driving up tomorrow. Our D asked me to finish packing for her today because she wanted to spend some time with her friends. My H said, "No way. She should pack for herselfs." I went out this morning to pick up some last minute stuff for her. I came home, there was my H packing up everything for our D. He said, "I don't know what's wrong with you women, never learned to pack."</p>

<p>We both decided to take these 2 weeks off to get our D off to college. We hijacked her away to a family vacation for a week. It was bitter sweet. We had a going away dinner for her tonight - grandparents, ballet teacher, family friends. She cried when she said good-bye to everyone. She is now in the basement with all her best friends, can't imagine it's going to be early night for them.</p>

<p>We took OP's advice and labeled everything. My husband's got his tools and I have the cleaning stuff packed. I think we are good to go.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the kind words Mafool. Good luck tomorrow Oldfort, please let us know how it goes.</p>

<p>I thought this was such a good idea that I was just writing ZG's name at intervals around a roll of masking tape so I could tear off pieces and stick them on. Well, younger sister walked in, saw me writing ZG's name over and over on a roll of tape, and said "you're really not coping well, are you mom?" the look of horror and pity on her face was priceless! I'm still laughing.</p>