<p>I did see the news about the fires pacnwmom… I have been in contact with my S who is officially in OR now. He seems to be well informed about closures and is making adjustments but he said the smoke is pretty bad when he is hiking. He said it was also VERY hot. I guess he will survive this too.</p>
<p>5boys-- let me know if you need me to go and pick him up. I’m serious.</p>
<p>Just needed to vent - DS leaves in 10 days. I have been asking him to coordinate with suite mates on supplies for the room. DS has let them know about some things we have bought already that would be shared items, but no one else has communicated anything. I’m trying to convey to DS that having 4 of everything (microfridge, area rug, water cooler, vacuum, etc.) would be very wasteful. Of course, anytime I mention communicating with the others, I am annoying him.</p>
<p>DS also has not started to organize or pack. I have asked him a couple of times, but to no avail, to create a “to do” list so he can see how much he still needs to get done.</p>
<p>I truly wanted these last days to be pleasant - to possibly go to a play with him or some other outing, but we won’t have time for that if he doesn’t get it together.</p>
<p>Hello all! Popping in from the 2015 thread to congratulate those who have already launched and best of luck to those getting ready to launch. It’s an exciting and stressful time, but you will all survive!</p>
<p>For those with procrastinating packers: my DS was one of them last year. He was very excited about going off to school, but I think he put off finishing packing because he was also nervous about leaving home. So I backed off and let him set the timeline. I’m here to tell you that they will get it done and will get to school on time! 
It made both of us less stressed. I’m a list maker and pack in advance kind of person, so it took a lot of restraint! But he had to pack so he knew were everything was and what he had! </p>
<p>It gets better the second time around!!! I figure if he doesn’t pack it, he doesn’t need it this year!</p>
<p>Good luck and enjoy their first year of college!!!</p>
<p>My only suggestion student4ever:) is to set the date for your son to pack in 7 days so Aug 23rd is your pack date. That leaves 2-3 days to get what you need last minute and leave the rest until after they get to the room. If they duplicate well so be it. A lesson for next year.</p>
<p>Student4Ever:)-Is it that your son is trying to contact them and they are not responding (I.E He is telling them that he is bringing A, but they just dont email back) or is he not sending them anything? Because if it is the first there is nothing you can do about it.</p>
<p>If it is the second, put something on the line, say “We won’t do X until you give us a list of what you will bring, what your roommate will bring, and what you will buy there”.</p>
<p>mim - my plan is to carry the posters on if they don’t fit in the giant checked duffle</p>
<p>DS only knows who his roomie is, not his suitemates…I bought most of the stuff and if there are duplicates when we get there, oh well, I kept my receipts.</p>
<p>We are done packing, except to throw in what is laundered tomorrow. S is off at his final friend gathering–these guys do sleepovers, so we’ll see him in the morning. Tomorrow is our family day before hitting the road Saturday morning which will come bright and early, considering the schedule he is on.</p>
<p>It is really happening. Mostly, I am just excited for him and this new phase of life. I also know that I am going to miss that smile and wacky, original sense of humor too, on a daily basis.</p>
<p>Packing will get done on his time schedule. I just hate the last minute shopping for when he realizes he doesn’t have something. If we can’t shop for it then, I’ll guess he’ll have to do without or purchase it himself on his own.</p>
<p>Ds has contacted suite mates - there are 3 + DS in the suite. DS has let them know about a couple of the items, but no one has gotten anything. 
Or they are just not communicating what they’re gotten.</p>
<p>I have saved receipts, also - just in case of duplicates. I do not like to shop, and I also prefer not to have to do returns, but if I must I will.</p>
<p>I know eventually it all comes together, I just prefer sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Thanks for listening…</p>
<p>Saintfain, I’m taking the posters with as well. I got a tube that will fit in the suitcase and am packing smaller ones in a flat cardboard box. I’m kind of thinking that I will take someone with me to the airport and have them bring the books he wants and, once we know the true weight of the luggage, I’ll either add or maybe rearrange, pull stuff out. If I have to, I will wear a down jacket onto the plane to create space.</p>
<p>DD’s last day at her summer job today. She got a warm send off. One week to pack and then on the jet to Boston!</p>
<p>mimk6: Why stop at the down jacket? Think of the space that could be saved if we put on our kids boots, a couple of pairs of jeans, hats, gloves and a couple of sweaters on the plane.</p>
<p>I may never check a bag again!</p>
<p>That reminds me of the “commando” episode of Friends. Of course, if you wear all that on a hot day, you will be held up by TSA.</p>
<p>Jaylynn, fyi, I live in San Diego, should you ever need something, or a recommendation, just ask. I have many friends with kids at USD. I am not sure where you live, I guess; I understand the “shipping” thing, though, as we will be taking our son back to Baltimore soon to attend college there. We have had lots of hot weather here, the ocean is beautiful right now, very warm. We were in it all last weekend and had a blast. What will your D be studying there?</p>
<p>Thank you so much, Swimmomonthego!! We live in Eugene, OR. She’s not sure about a major yet; she’s excited but also quite anxious (she’s my wussy baby). Do your friends’ kids like USD?</p>
<p>Momsings – I’m looking forward to our meetup after you drop-off your menfolk and I’m back from launching my D1.</p>
<p>Everything is all packed up. We’re driving, so didn’t bother to compact it all into suitcases. We probably have too many individual/loose items, which we will likely regret when it comes time to move it from the car up into her dorm room. We do have a hand cart, tho, and will have D2 along to help schlepp. Maybe once we see the room and get a measure of the space, we can get some underbed boxes or a storage trunk and pack in some of the smaller loose items.</p>
<p>One of the loose items is D1’s birthday surprise: a shoebox containing purple Keens and a copy of the [Naked</a> Roommate](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/The-Naked-Roommate-Issues-College/dp/140225346X]Naked”>http://www.amazon.com/The-Naked-Roommate-Issues-College/dp/140225346X) book. Shhhh! don’t tell!!!</p>
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<p>My son asked me the other day if he should plan on wearing layers of clothing on the trip back east to maximize what he can bring.</p>
<p>If I thought he would read it, I would have purchased that book as well.</p>
<p>Student4ever,
I was in the same boat as you with the packing procrastinator and the roomie lack of coordination. It made me feel very anxious and stressed and I was making lists to soothe my anxiety. However, D finally started packing Wed (we leave on Sat), so now I am more relaxed. I want to let you know that you aren’t alone. Many of the kids are procrastinating packers, but they do get it done, much to the stress of the parents. (I did want the lovely kids who were all packed up 2 days before they departed, but alas, I guess that is not my kid).</p>
<p>I’m not sure which of the 3 things got her to start packing:
- I put 4 suitcases and 2 duffel bags in the hallway outside of her door (no she won’t use them all, but I got them just in case). She was originally planning on making a dorm pile, but it wasn’t happening. Maybe seeing the suitcases made it real.
- I actually had to “ground” her (for the first time in her LIFE) until her grad gift thank you notes were done. When the notes were done (few hours later), maybe it unplugged some barrier and she started to pack and was in good spirits.
- She might’ve calculated the number of days that she needed, worked backwards and figured that Wed was the day. </p>
<p>About the roommates, there are always group dynamics and different personalities etc etc, that it’s best to stop back and let him navigate those waters based on the vibes and exchanges that he is getting from them; and without your involvement. If that means that they don’t buy a microfridge until the 2nd week of school, then so be it. After all, it’s he who has to deal with their personalities for the whole year and each kid has to figure out their “place” in the group dynamic.</p>
<p>Oldfort, michal1, Chrissyblu, Tebow1, 911C2S, gaelicbred, JGCMom - Have a great launch day!</p>
<p>Today is errand day for S and me - new shoes, new socks, … that might be all of it. He’s been putting off getting his hair cut because the great clips he likes near out house closed, and “they do it right.” ??? It’s great clips - a different person does it every time he goes. Finally yesterday, he asked me to cut his hair (which I haven’t done since he was about 12). It was fun and turned out fine. I think. eyemamom - you’ll tell me if it looks stupid, right?</p>
<p>Kind of sad last night - S’s girlfriend leaves for school today, so last night was the big last date. That’s got to be really hard. She’s a wonderful girl - I’ll miss seeing her around! </p>
<p>Older S is recovering nicely from the wisdom tooth thing. yay.</p>
<p>5boys - I’ll say it again - your son is so cool, and you get the cool mom award for our thread. 
</p>