@techmom99 I’m a bit scared for your reunion weekend!
Sounds like a wonderful final show and a very special sibling event for move in. Jealous that packing is almost done, S17’s room looks like something exploded. We leave in 8 days, 4 of which he works and he’s got every spare minute booked with friends and a couple of family dinners that I guilted him into.
This whole flying everything across the country is a bit of a pain!
I wound up not going to the reunion. H went with Techson17, S12 (middle son), D and D’s Aussie boyfriend. They all stressed that I would have HATED it. H told his family that I was busy doing Techson’s college packing and they didn’t care. In over 30 years, I have never really bonded with them. D’s bf told me he had never heard so many 9/11 conspiracy theories or seen so much meat in one place (other than the supermarket) before. He didn’t run off screaming, so he might be a keeper.
Techson17 woke up crying this morning. He had a dream that D had surgery and didn’t wake up. He called her at about 6 AM to make sure she was ok. She told him it’s probably because she can’t make the road trip so he is spending tomorrow night and Wednesday with her. He admitted he’s a little nervous so I reminded him about the counseling center. Ironically, D ruptured her ACL while at college and did require surgery. After this, I am planning on sending our stuffed border collie with Techson17. He really misses our real one, who died 2 years ago. He would cuddle with her, so maybe the stuffed one will give him good memories. If he doesn’t want it, he can stick it in a drawer.
The packing was going well until H got involved. Of course, HE is the last word because I never went away to college…so I, clearly, know nothing. He labeled Techson’s corn starch with the chemical formula for cocaine and thinks it’s funny - one of the suite mates is a bio chem major, so I took the sharpie and added “NOT” on the container and hid it.
Can you have stuff shipped to meet you at the school?
@eandesmom “This whole flying everything across the country is a bit of a pain!” Yes it is. We leave this Sunday. I have yet to see a single fully packed bag in D17’s room. She has not wanted much help from me, and I’ve been so busy trying to make plans for the eclipse, a day trip to the coast, etc., while squeezing in visits with as many OR relatives as we can, that I am trusting that she will pull it together, and that at 5 a.m. this Sunday when we have to leave for the airport, some fully packed bags will emerge from her room. Meanwhile, DH bought eclipse glasses from Amazon, and as you may have read in the national news, it turns out they may be counterfeit and unsafe. So now I’m worried that D17 may suffer damage to her vision from counterfeit eclipse glasses 2 days before she starts college! LOL!
O@NolaCAR – I think the last thing I said to my kid when I left her campus on Saturday was a warning about eclipse glasses!!
Our move-in process was incredible. Our car was met by a bunch of smiley Volunteers, most of whom were Greek life kids, and they carried every last item up to D’s room. Neither of us had to lift a thing, and I never left the car! By the time I parked around the corner and came back, she had made her bed and unpacking was well underway. It was so lovely and stress- free. Whoever started that tradition at WPI should have a dorm named after them! LOL
We also have to fly to my D17’s school and she has NOTHING packed. We did the “BBB Pack and Store” for most of her stuff like bedding, towels, etc. But I’m looking around her room like, um, besides clothes, what are you planning to take and when are you going to pack it up? And her move-in date couldn’t come at a more inconvenient time - her orientation and move-in are all Labor Day weekend. We fly out Thurs, move-in is Friday and parent/student orientation is Friday afternoon-Sun). However, I have a rising h.s. freshman who has a week-long orientation that whole week prior to Labor Day in a private school that we are new to that is 45 mins away (my other kids go to a local private school in town). Also have a rising h.s. junior who has a day of orientation that week, plus his first football game that Friday night of Labor Day which we will miss. And my youngest D, a rising 7th grader, has her “meet the teacher/pick up books” that same Friday. CRAP! Coordinating all their schedules that week along with making logistical arrangements for rides to school, etc., is going to be a PITA.
My H got our glasses at HD I think…hopefully they are ok. I did get a random glasses catalog in the mail that I thought was really clever, it had the pinhole cut out kind that you could pull out (it was an insert). Smart marketing.
@techmom99 UGH! I’m glad H hasn’t gotten involved in the packing at all. I’m sure there will be a snide comment about how much we are taking out and he’s already whined that I’m spending too much time ordering stuff for pick up there (or sent to hotel). He was NOT involved in the set up of the older kids rooms, their mom did it, so he really hasn’t “seen” in before. That reunion sounds frightening. I hope you did something more relaxing than packing college things!
Why does Techson have cornstarch? That is NOT funny. Well done on the sharpie fix! I like the idea of sending the stuffed collie. Someone else was thinking about bringing a special stuffed shark. Whatever works and helps your child is very good! I made S a custom pillow, hopefully it turned out ok, I had it sent there. I am sorry about the nightmare. S is alternatively snarly and snippy and then chatty loving. They are stressed even when they don’t realize it.
@cameo43 that sounds lovely! I can’t imagine my S choosing to make his bed while I park the car but you never know, stranger things have happened.
@4kids4us GAH. Your schedule stresses me out. And reminded me that I need to get my act together around S19’s schedule for while I’m in Vermont…and when I return. If I don’t get it in the calendar now he will miss stuff and I’ve got to finagle some rides.
@NolaCAR he’s got one suitcase packed with all of his sweaters, hoodies and most of his jackets. As for the rest, it looks like a bomb went off in his room. I have the bedding and other general room things packed in my bag but…that’s it. I foresee him leaving his room in total disarray and forgetting all kinds of little things. He’s far more focused on seeing every friend he can in his last few remaining days/nights.
We move S in on Saturday morning and S hasn’t even requested a bag to pack clothes in yet. Almost everything else is packed up and labeled with is last name/dorm/room number so clothes shouldn’t take too long. He’s kept himself distracted with work and older S home now. I don’t think it’s really hit him yet but expecting it to any day now. Tonight is his last night at work and I told him Friday is Packing Day as we need the truck loaded up Thursday night. Hoping to keep him even-keeled but we shall see.
@cameo43 IF S would happen to make his own bed I’d probably fall over dead right there. We told him when filling out the roommate match up sheet to be honest and NOT put that he was neat. He’s not as bad as his brother but neat is NOT it either.
@eandesmom - H and all of my boys use corn starch in their underwear to prevent chafing. I have known H for over 35 years and he was doing that when we met. He trained the boys that way. I think it’s odd but they swear by it. A couple of them, including Techson17, use the stuff in their shoes to absorb odors as well. I am packing the stuffed dog and I think I am also the one with the stuffed shark, aka “surrogate mom,” but the shark is staying home. It’s just too big, it’s like 4 1/2’ long. The dog is the size of my Yorkie, but it doesn’t bark, pee or poop and it stays where you put it.
I told Techson17 to put his bedbug pillow case on before he leaves the house. I wasn’t even thinking about bed bugs but at orientation, they admitted having had an infestation the year before, so I decided to spend for the stuff. I have told him that the first thing he has to do is put the mattress protector on. I recently taught him (at orientation) how to make the bed with hospital corners. I realized that I never taught my kids how to do it because I was so traumatized by it at sleep away camp that I vowed I would never make a hospital corner again in my life. At orientation, I realized that my son needs to be able to do it, so I taught him.
He had a great time with D. She bought him “cool” sneakers - high tops - and a pair of jeans, which he has never worn before! He’s packed most of his clothing in a camp trunk from his Boy Scout days. We are also using a couple of wheeled tubs - he is a very self-confident young man because he is using D’s old pink tubs! The rental car is coming home Friday afternoon and the boys are leaving at midnight. They get ONE hour to park at the dorm to unload, then they have to move the car to a lot and take shuttle buses. He should get it done.
Meanwhile, he hasn’t downloaded his class syllabi yet or even checked if there are any.
Good luck to everyone who is moving in this weekend…
Sorry… haven’t been on here in a while. My son has been away at his camp job since June 10th and comes home on Monday!! I gave heard from him a bit less than once a week and he hasn’t had internet. His university doesn’t start until late Sept and he doesn’t move in till Sept 21 or 22nd. We still don’t know roommate or what day he moves in. Except for my buying him a fan, we haven’t done any shopping. But I expect that to be minimal. Sheets & a mattress pad and perhaps other new bedding and maybe a toiletry caddy. (Edited to add and maybe new clothes… his are probably all really dirty.)
We did have a bit of scare about transcript arrival, and then I had to register him for classes since he couldn’t go to orientation. After I spend hours pouring over the catalog I think I have a good schedule for him and I did end up getting him in the H. Calculus class he wanted.
@DMVmom Sorry about the deferral for you son. It’s too bad the school won’t defer his acceptance because of illness. But the UC’s are that way as well. I hope all goes well.
@techmom99 Good to hear about show went well this summer. Sorry you won’t be there for move it but a brother trips sounds like a great way to do it. Hopefully they will take lots of pictures for you.
For those of you flying for move in. I did that with D12. We did the pickup from BB&B. And shipped a few boxes. Only I few out with her. It was over labor day and S17 was in junior high & was about to start school. It went reasonable smoothly partially because she had the smallest amount of stuff of all her roommates. (She had an odd quad room her first year.)
Techson17 is just about to embark on his journey to college. Oldest two brothers and oldest boy’s best friend are going. Third son has to work this weekend. I just hugged and kissed him and made him promise to send me pictures of his room. I am so happy and so sad at the same time.
I hope everyone else has a great move in.
Move in yesterday went smoothly. DS and his roommate seemed to get along well but are both more introverted so hopefully someone will come along and pull them out. Son seemed happy and excited when we left. He has a few kinks to straighten out that we were unable to help him with but hopefully he can take care of those things on Monday before classes start on Tuesday.
Older DS heads back sometime next weekend (he has to decide and keeps changing his mind) and then we’ll be empty nesters for the first time.
Best of luck to those still waiting to move in!
Move-in complete! We barely had any space left in the SUV & Son packed the bare minimum. What should have been a 3 hour drive turned into a maddening Friday afternoon 5 hour drive on I-95 & I-64.
Son checked in early Saturday morning & hubby/I helped him unpack all his belongings because Marching Band Camp began that afternoon. CNU’s move in day for freshman runs like a well oiled machine. Cars pull up in front of the residence hall, you are met by a handful of students (football players, etc.) & your stuff is unloaded & delivered to your room while you park your car.
Son was originally assigned a triple room and even though one roommate transferred out prior to move in day, the furniture was left in place (ugh!) … so there is a bunk bed, lofted bed, 3 dressers, 3 desks & chairs, in addition to a wardrobe, mini fridge & microwave. Each room has its own sink & 4 boys share the shower & toilet stalls.
Classes do not begin until 8/28. but freshman arrive early for “Welcome Week” activities. I was surprised that 1st semester classes are chosen for freshman. In my opinion, he was given an “easy” schedule (4 courses, l lab, & marching band, which counts as a class/credit).
Some might remember that Son is my only child. Surprisingly I was not emotional UNTIL I arrived home. As soon as I walked in the house & saw the empty table where he kept his wallet, glasses, etc. I teared up. Then I made the mistake of walking into his room. He is usually the last to go to bed, so I almost said “goodnight” to the now vacant gaming area. 
Good luck to all the High School Class of 2017 students & their parents! I have enjoyed being a part of your children’s journey!
Hi everyone, I’m a '19er here on CC and I have to thank you all for writing such open, valuable comments. I have truly learned a lot and broadened my horizons from this thread. Thank you so so much!
Move in complete here and I am on my way back to the West Coast. Very sad to leave him but seeing him so happy really does help!
We flew out with 4 checked bags, 2 carry ons. 3 flights later we arrived. Picked up the rest of the stuff there, mostly the following day. I am grateful we arrived on the Wednesday, it really would have been even more exhausting to try to do all the shopping on Thursday.
Friday morning we went out for breakfast after loading the rental car to the gills. S17 gets VERY hangry without breakfast and we both knew it was in our best interest to feed him first. The breakfast at the hotel, we learned on our last visit, was overpriced and not very good. We had an amazingly delicious breakfast, they brought a giant bottle of real Vermont maple syrup to the table, I loved it!
Other than waiting in line a bit at the start to pull up, move in was relatively easy. Tons of helpers to get everything into the room and we had a couple of hours to ourselves before the roommate arrived. I had unpacked and repacked everything to get rid of as many boxes as possible at the hotel and that helped. We were largely unpacked and moving on to decorating by the time the roommate arrived around 11.
I have to say, not only did his decor turn out well and really reflect his personality, we also shopped well. The outlet situation was a bit challenging and we did end up running back to BBB for 2 more of the mounting power strips. They have a no extension cord rule and these mount to the bed frame or desk and really helped us get power where we needed it in a limiting situation. We also got lunch while at BBB, he was hangry again and the mandatory 4pm dinner was too far away, he wanted food now. LOL!
Finished up at the room around 3:30, so basically spent the whole day there! Hugs and goodbyes but not final as we planned a meal for Sunday. I changed hotels, drove to the grocery store, went back to my new wonderful inn and had a glass of wine outside.
Saturday I spent working for several hours (in the solarium of the inn so it wasn’t “too” painful but it killed me not to be out playing tourist), hit the farmers market and then ran some errands for S. BBB returns, a few coupon credits owed (which took FOREVER to process), Staples, Micheals and a few other places. One of the positives is I drove around a bit looking at dinner options for me, figuring out what was walkable and found the coffee place I wanted to both buy coffee to bring home and to leave S with a pound. I found out that behind it was a cider festival with food trucks that night.
Once the errands were complete, I went to the cider festival and had a lovely time! My H does not like cider so it was perfect and I ended up chatting with one of the girls working one of the booths, very fun. A great dinner at the place it was connected to and then back to the room to mend a jacket he’d requested repair on the day before we left. I did NOT sleep well that night and I don’t think it was the cider. Very anxious, I think as I knew it would be the last day I’d see him and I didn’t want to go to sleep and wake up for that. I was up late mending, the jacket was a pain but ugh, it was just weird.
Sunday brought breakfast with the kid at my inn where he filled me in on all his activities, it was definitely going well which made my heart happy. We made a change to his schedule and I took him back to his room as he was antsy, had things to do (like print a paper!) . No tears but I admit, my eyes were burning.
A couple of hours later he texted me realizing he’d forgotten to give me a few things so after a bit of back and forth we met back up and ended up shopping and doing lunch! He was much more relaxed at meal 2, happy the errands were settled, paper printed and an overdue letter written to his cousin that just enlisted. Better goodbye and a nice long hug.
I took him back, hung out at the inn and then walked up to catch the “walk” of the students from Convocation to a Twilight Ceremony. I did feel a bit stalker ish but it was pretty neat to see the massive line of kids walking down main street! And…I spotted S1
A good move in overall, and I feel good about things for him. I am sad, I miss him already but am very excited for him.
Move-in and DH’s 50th BD party are in the books! Phew, the past week was a whirlwind! I posted to the main 2017 thread, so I’ll try not to repeat too much here.
@MomStudent2017 You have more courage than do I. We got home Sat. eve. and I have yet to step into DD’s room! Best wishes to you as you navigate empty nest-hood.
DD’s college’s move-in process was just like @MomStudent2017 ‘s DS’. I had unthinkingly reserved an intermediate rental car and then when I realized D17’s bags and our family of 4 weren’t going to fit, no larger rentals were available due to the eclipse. So DH had to make 2 trips from the hotel to the dorm, which made having the football players unload and carry everything all the nicer!
@eandesmom Sounds like you fell in love with Burlington a little, and will enjoy returning to visit! I would have “stalked” the convocation walk, too! How nice that you were able to catch a glimpse of your DS. I am glad that he is happy!
I have woken up thinking about D17 every morning since we said good-bye on Thursday. I am optimistic but slightly worried. She has some social anxiety and is feeling like everyone else has made friends except her. I have reassured her that this is not true. The campus paper even had a front page article about social anxiety, which was nice. I pointed out to her that the fact that social anxiety made the front page is evidence that many students are experiencing it. We have FaceTimed with her once since we said good-bye, and texted some, but I don’t want to add to her stress by asking “have you made a friend yet”? Still, until she starts talking about friends she has made, I will worry. I expected to be sad and to miss her, but I didn’t expect to worry about her. DH is worried, too. I fully expect that by the time my mother-in-law and I return for family weekend in 6 weeks, she will have made friends, and all of my worry will have been for naught.
@eandesmom Great report. I especially enjoyed the mandatory feeding of the son. Can you describe or link to the mounting power strip? I couldn’t find it on the bb&b website, and it sounds like a good item to know about. Thanks!
here is the power strip, assuming the link is ok to post. It’s BBB so you’d think but…if not just PM and I will send.
3 may seem overkill to all but i work in the forensic engineering business and am adamant about electronics on hard surfaces and minimizing cords near fuel sources lol. We mounted these under the frames so not only does it clean up the floor, it makes it so things aren’t touching them.
Of course the roommates mom added her own on the floor right under my S’s desk (which wasn’t needed due to the bed mounted ones but I can deal…it’s away from the rug. LOL!
Talked with DS tonight. First 1.5 weeks are going well. He’s made a few friends and his classes are going well. He’s even met with the assistant track coach and been given info for walking onto the team - his times are good enough they want to give him a chance. We’ll see how it all plays out but I’m happy to hear a happy kid!
Thanks @eandesmom! I hadn’t seen a power strip like that before.
We’re about a week after drop off, and so far, so good! :)>-
We drove to MI last Saturday, and got in early enough to have dinner with S17’s roommate & parents–they’re super nice. The boys were a bit quiet but have a lot of similar interests. The roommate had early check in, so he asked if S17 wanted to take his stuff to the room so they could start to set up that night. We did that, and the boys opened up more. The next morning, we picked up the futon and a few other things for the room, and finished setting up. It was S17’s birthday, so I also picked up a cake for him to have in his room, and then I took him to lunch. We also got most of his books, but he was getting anxious to get back for an open house with his major, so I took him back, and said good bye–it happened SO FAST!
After I got myself calmed down, I took a LONG walk around campus, and it was awesome! It’s such a beautiful park-like place, and it was really calming to see the places I’ve loved since I was an undergrad. I had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, and just enjoyed myself. The next morning, I got a leisurely start, walked campus a bit more, and then headed home.
S17 had programs and sessions for his major on Mon-Tue, and then classes started Wed. I didn’t get much from him–just a few texts about administrative things like how to set up an appointment and what to do if he needs something special for classes. But it was nice that he’d answer if I asked anything–it was normally a 1-2 word text answer, but at least I knew he was there… ;
Then he called last night–he sounded happy and excited after his 1st week! 
He’d been to a men’s soccer game, and was going to today’s football game. He and his roommate hang out together along with a few other kids from his floor. And he seems to like his classes (except for French, which he tolerates…). So, I’m happy that he’s happy! B-)
@techmom99 I though of you & techson both times I drove by Fredonia. I hope he’s doing well!