<p>You know they are really adults when you go shopping and they pay for their own purchases. I have to admit I find it odd to shop with my daughter for clothes while watching as she pays. Even odder was when we switched cars and we both put gas in the other’s car and mine was twice as much as hers but she wouldn’t let me give her money for the difference. My mother-in-law says you’ve really reached nirvana when you go out for dinner and your kid picks up the check. Of course, the trade-off is that your kids start to talk to you like they are the parent. I sometimes have to remind my older kids that I managed to stumble through life for decades somehow without their advice.</p>
<p>EmptyingNest- We just said that the laptop wouldn’t be bought until his room was cleaned. It worked pretty hard (though he whined quite a bit when he thought it was good and me/my husband disagreed.</p>
<p>hsmom2dncrs, TOMORROW? This is all getting really real.</p>
<p>Remember when we were all waiting for acceptances and financial aid and wishing we should go Twin XL sheet shopping?</p>
<p>Sigh.</p>
<p>mimk - has anyone told you that you have to take care of yourself yet? My D walked in yesterday and said Dad you need to start hitting the gym, you are at risk for blah, blah, blah at your age. I am wondering if she is expecting to be denying me healthcare in my old age for not exercising and eating right.</p>
<p>D told me at lunch today that she’s been saving quarters all summer to do laundry in the dorm and she’s just learned laundry costs $1 for the whole semester at UVM so she doesn’t need the coins. I’m somehow comforted by the notion that she had the forethought to save quarters – like my work really is done. She can take care of herself.</p>
<p>This made me feel really old: </p>
<p>Went out to dinner with step-S and step-fiance. He ordered “Kettle 1 with a blue cheese stuffed olive”. He’s only 26. Ugh.</p>
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<p>Perfect! So for those of you with hard-to-get-out-of-bed students, simply contact their future roommates, and voila! ;)</p>
<p>Wow MommyMommy - that’s some great price for doing laundry!</p>
<p>Well, I just went online and paid for both S’s fall semester! Yay. It’s official. And yes, I waited until the last possible due date! </p>
<p>We have decided it’s just not a good time for us to pay for a geothermal system, so we’ll be getting a new heat pump system put in soon. The temps are very comfortable right now, but I think sometime next week it’ll get done. </p>
<p>I’m so excited for all the launch dates to start rolling along quickly! Here’s an official CONGRATULATIONS! to our already-launched crowd!</p>
<p>7/15 huxleyalum S1 - Rose Hulman!
8/08 weatherga’s D - University of Georgia!</p>
<p>I had to wake my Ds all through HS, but somehow D1 has managed to get herself to work all summer. The real test will be that D1 & D2 will have to wake themselves up, get ready, and cab to the airport for a 6:45am flight next Saturday. DH and I will already have left the previous day, to drive up all of D’s college stuff. (Ds are leaving at the last possible moment, on the morning of move-in day, because of D1’s work commitments and D2’s return from a scuba diving trip.)</p>
<p>PinotNoir, I also waited until the last possible due date to pay D’s balance lol. Then thought I would be smart and throw the semester on our Visa to get points. Then found out that the school does not take Visa! They take MC, Amex, and Discover but not Visa. So much for me actually getting a little bonus out of that giant payment haha.</p>
<p>Momof3stars - I wanted to put it on a credit cards for rewards points too, but they charge 2.5% for using a credit card!</p>
<p>
I want to reach nirvana.</p>
<p>Yes we had considered putting our balance on our AmEx for points until we figured out the surcharge. Oh well.</p>
<p>Hi!
I’m new here. My son launches on the 21st. I have a question. My son’s girlfriend wants to go with us when my son moves in. What do you all think? I’m torn. On one hand I think he should be focused on moving in and meeting new people. I was thinking about offering to let us go with us in October to the family day. Homecoming will be going on at the same time. What do you all think? Are any of your kids going to have their boyfriends or girlfriends there? Thanks.</p>
<p>allboyz - Our S’s gf also asked to come with us. For the reasons you mentioned, plus the fact that we’re going over 1000 miles and going on to stay with relatives, we politely, but firmly, said no. I don’t know how far it is for you, nor whether there are any parent activities planned on campus, but all of those would factor in to the consideration. I think it will be nice for her to go in October, when your S is already acclimated to his new surroundings: he can take her on a tour of campus, show her the spots he hangs out, etc. To me, this “launch” trip is all about moving in, meeting the roommates and getting ready to start classes.
I know it’s difficult for them to part - we’re all loaded and ready to go, now S’s gf is here, and there’s already been plenty of tears. We just have to make it through tonight. And I keep reminding him that he’s not going on an expedition to the South Pole - they’ll actually have a glut of communication technology available to keep in touch!
Good luck!</p>
<p>No, no, no. In my eyes, this is a family thing. And I notice it’s the gfs that are asking, not the sons themselves (though they may have, I can’t tell from the posts). Emotions will be high and imo it’s not fair to the kids or the parents not to have this time really together. </p>
<p>My daughter didn’t ask-- I know she’s heartbroken about leaving her bf, but I think she 1) knew it would never have flown with me and 2) knows that even she wants this to be time with her mom and dad.</p>
<p>Rochester mom’s - I believe there is a convocation at 5 on Thursday. Would you all like to meet up somewhere after that? I don’t know the campus at all - just pick a spot and I’ll find it. </p>
<p>PNwed - PinotNoir’s son and mine are 2 doors down from each other in the same dorm - how funny is that? </p>
<p>I paid the tuition when I got the bill because it was in an account drawing no interest and just taunted me when I went to do online banking. </p>
<p>As for the girlfriend tagalong - I’d say no. This isn’t really a trip for girl/boy friends imo. Let them work out a visit themselves at a later date. (if that actually happens) Your son deserves the all the attention and focus. What is she going to do, hang out in the dorm when he’s trying to meet new people, attend orientation functions, etc? The last thing you want is him feeling responsible for her feeling comfortable.</p>
<p>I’d say no to the tagalongs. It’s a family event, and a transition. It’s hard to say good bye, but dragging it out won’t help.</p>
<p>(Tongue firmly in cheek) If the girlfriend does go, as wackaloon parents you have the responsibility to call the roommate’s parents and ask if the room mate can stay in the parents’ hotel so the girlfriend can have a nice bed in the dorm. :p</p>
<p>No to the gf. DS has the same issue but we are spending the night with friends so we told her she can’t come down with us. She is very sad but I think DS is a bit relieved by one less tearful goodbye.</p>