<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>We're heading into the last weeks before we drop our bundles of joy off at school. Is anyone feeling overwhelmed with prepping for the new school year. This is DD's first year in boarding school so we're starting from scratch. The shopping is mostly done but the main thing that's stressing me is sewing all those labels into her clothes/linen. I haven't even started, lol.</p>
<p>Is anyone else feeling the pressure?</p>
<p>Quick tip that should ease some stress: Get adhesive labels. We use the Mabel’s Labels brand and like them.
Daughters (and wife) think I’m a bit OTT with regard to labeling…but just the other day at camp, a fellow camper remarked about 7D2’s labels — “I like that turtle logo on your name label…that’s cool.” Made my day/week/year!</p>
<p>I think I should probably be more stressed about getting the kids prepped for BTS…especially my younger one, who will start her first year at BS at the end of Aug. But the summer’s been busy with college visits and other distractions…Second week of August, that’s when I’ll start to stress.</p>
<p>If the shopping and summer reading are done I would say you are “good to go.” You are far ahead of where I was at the end of July 3 years ago. I think we came back from our annual beach vacation around mid August and realized our child was due to be dropped off in about 9 days. We had purchased nothing and underestimated the amount of time it would take to pull everything together. Then DC sauntered into our bedroom at about 11:30 pm one evening and told us she needed to get 4 books ASAP as there were assignments that needed to be completed before school started.</p>
<p>I think we spent the next 7 days in panic mode. But as always things come together and she arrived on campus with everything she needed for at least the Fall semester and her assigned reading 90% complete. Good enough for us for that first year!</p>
<p>I’m a very organized person so I’m done with the shopping for her dorm (I don’t work well under pressure) and she’s had her reading assignments in hand before she left for camp. What is hitting me now is that 9/2 will be here very soon and I will be moving my baby into her dorm…I won’t have her with me daily…won’t have our talks or laughs and that’s bringing tears to my eyes. BUT I know this will be a great opportunity and experience for her. I know it will be hard at first but luckily the school is close enough for her to be home once a month. I do love the BS extended days off…means more time home! It’s good that I will have two kids at home that will keep me busy and make time fly. </p>
<p>As for labels, I agree with 7D, the adhesive ones made for clothing are great. I used them for her camp clothes and now just ordered more for her clothes and items. I label everything…my daughter tends to misplace things so she needs her name on things. </p>
<p>And those adhesive labels come in all sizes-- so label EVERYTHING! My DS left his watch somewhere on campus and it was returned within 2 hours with the comment, “Wow-- I never THOUGHT of labeling a watch-- how smart is that?” (Of course, my son took the credit, which was absolutely ridiculous)! For things like socks, we just use a permanent sharpie, which you might occasionally have to redo.</p>
<p>The summer reading was done in June. She just has to do the write ups. DD is an avid reader and she found the assigned book interesting. (Wonder by R.J. Palacio) Writing on the other hand…while she writes well, she fights the process.</p>
<p>Her school is requesting sew on labels instead of adhesive. I think I may just take my grommet puncher from my scrapbooking supplies and attach them that way. It will last longer and go much faster.</p>
<p>@NYCMomof3 I know what you mean about missing our daily talks. I’m a single mom and DD is my only child. She’s been my partner in life’s adventures. Well this is a new adventure for both of us. :)</p>
<p>@SevenDad I’m going to check out Mabel’s Labels too.</p>
<p>Summer reading? “That’s for the plane trip, mom (eyeroll).”</p>
<p>I’m just glad they picked a book DD liked. While she loves to read, if its a book she doesn’t like, she will drag it out. She’s reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” for her summer program and complaining the whole way through.</p>
<p>being a newbie, I was surprised at the amount of summer reading/writing that NMH requires of its incoming freshman: D had to read “The Girl Who Fell From the Sky”, by Heidi Durrow and write about it as well as two (2) poems: Robert Frost’s “Birches” and Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” and write about both of those as well. Additionally, she had to read “Black Swan Green” by David Mitchell (but no writing assignment). I’m guessing this is probably the norm for BS, but i was surprised.</p>
<p>@ChoatieMom: That’s the same reply I get. Good to know I’m not the only one.</p>
<p>I would tell the school that I’d be happy to send my kid with sewn-in labels if they’re willing to send someone to my house to do the sewing. What is this, the 1800s?? I highly recommend the iron-on letter transfer labels from <a href=“http://www.itsminelabels.com”>www.itsminelabels.com</a>. I found them to stand up very well to the laundry service, and DS liked that there were no labels to itch his neck.</p>
<p>@stormymom, Wonder is an outstanding book and I’m really glad the new students are reading it at your DD’s school. There’s a big anti-bullying campaign that has developed around it, but the story is also about accepting your challenges and thereby overcoming them. It’s a great book for kids entering the BS environment to read especially if it gives them perspective on the fact that everyone has struggles, some are just more visible than others. Feel free to PM me about the book as I have some particular knowledge of it.</p>
<p>I read “Wonder” as it was also assigned summer reading at 7D2’s new school. A little too simple at first (it is, after all, a book targeted at the tween/teen market), but I stuck with it and really enjoyed it. I agree with friendlymom that it highlighted both the fact that everyone has their own struggles — and also how it is so in human nature to create the “other” in anyone who is different than we are. A quick read…recommended to parents and students alike.</p>
<p>Stamp DC’s name on all clothing…there are many vendors listed on the internet. It worked for us 50 years ago!</p>
<p><a href=“NAME-DROPPER™ Permanent Ink Clothing Stamp & Laundry Marker – NAMEDROPPERSTAMPER.COM”>NAME-DROPPER™ Permanent Ink Clothing Stamp & Laundry Marker – NAMEDROPPERSTAMPER.COM;
<p>Permanent ultrafine point felt tip pen (Sharpie) works great for everything but dark colors.</p>
<p>Main advice is don’t pack too much, most will get sent home or lost. a few pairs of shorts, tee shirts, jeans, fleece or sweatshirt and whatever is code for class (at Exeter for boys: shorts, collared shirt, tie; for girls shorts slightly nicer tee shirt or collared shirt) will get them thru to parents weekend when they tell you what they want based on what they see the other kids wearing. Mostly classic jeans. </p>
<p>They all share everything so clothing becomes a dorm item. The name tag is just to help get it back to the right bag at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback about labels everyone!</p>
<p>Use the adhesive labels and just tack down the corners with one stitch…technically sewn in, right?</p>
<p>Labels? We’ve used a cheapo Sharpie marker for years. Works fine.</p>
<p>**Don’t over-do buying stuff for school. **There will be plenty of opportunities to supplement-- especially after DC sees what the experienced boarders are using/wearing and not using/wearing. </p>
<p>I suggest bringing the balance of the winter clothes during Fall Parents Weekend in Oct, and removing the summer clothes at the same visit. </p>
<p>Before u drive/fly to the school this fall, find out where the local stores are (i.e. Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, supermarket, etc) so u can buy last minute items. You can never have too many Command Hooks.</p>
<p>Also, mail order is your friend…</p>
<p>We took the easy way out and only labeled those things that D could not bear to lose - quilted jacket, all her vineyard vines and patagonia pieces and an array of sweaters. And yes we too just used a Sharpie.</p>