Senior Parents: Some Things to Do

<p>In my family's experience, the one thing (besides laundry) that kids are most uninformed about is medical matters. Up until they're 18, we had to give permission for everything medical, so we tended to keep control of this aspect of their lives. Also, the restrictive medication rules of high schools don't allow students the freedom to learn to manage their own health problems.</p>

<p>I would take advantage of every medical situation that comes up in your family between now and the time your kid leaves for campus to explain to your kid exactly what is going on, in detail, down to the most basic things. If the medical situation is your kid's, let him/her manage as much of it as possible. This includes making appointments, going to the doctor or dentist alone, dealing with the insurance card and information (which you may have always done in the past), filling prescriptions, buying over-the-counter drugs, etc.</p>

<p>Also, make sure that your kid knows his/her own medical history. You really don't want to get phone calls in the middle of the night that go like this, "Hey, Mom (or Dad). What was the name of that antibiotic that caused me to break out in hives back in the seventh grade? Because the Health Center just gave me an antibiotic today for strep throat, and I think it might be the same one, and I've already taken two of the pills, and the Health Center is closed now."</p>

<p>Consider preparing a pharmacy kit with over-the-counter medications and directions for use. </p>

<p>I did this 6 years ago when our older daughter left for college since I often got the feeling that kids simply present with their symptoms and take whatever Mom or Dad hand them without really thinking about what they're taking. I'll do the same for D2.</p>

<p>I included basic analgesics, an antihistamine, a decongestant, cough syrup, cough drops, band aids, thermometer, etc. </p>

<p>I also included reminders about usual dosing and maximum dosages (yes, I know they're old enough to read the labels but just in case.....Some folks tend to think that if the medication is over-the-counter then it's totally safe and "if two is helpful, then 4 will be better..." I included the basic Tylenol/acetaminophen precaution about not exceeding 4000mg in any 24 hour period of time, etc., etc....)</p>

<p>When the first cold of the season hits at 11pm your student isn't without those items that have worked best for them in the past....Plus they have a little note from home in the pharmacy kit which serves as a long distance hug. You may still get the call asking what they should take for their cold but at least they'll have the product on hand.</p>

<p>Start saving those quarters for the laundry machines!! I'm assuming they still require quarters?!?</p>

<p>Now it's dollars! Inflation, you know. But the most modern ones use the college-issued debit or dining card.</p>

<p>Sunny_seas, at least one college (MIT) uses the student id card as a cash card (if money is deposited) for such things as dorm laundry machines. Note in addition that you can find out if your laundry is done over the internet: <a href="http://laundry.mit.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://laundry.mit.edu/&lt;/a> in at least one dorm.</p>

<p>I believe at Random Hall you can also find out whether or not "stalls" are occupied. DS also does a card swipe for laundry.</p>

<p>If your student is very responsible, I would consider making them an authorized user on a low limit credit card. I initially did so when S began driving to make sure that he would never be in a situation where he would run out of gas. At approximately the time, he was also beginning to travel with his team and we wanted to make sure that he would never get 'stuck' anywhere. He has been quite responsible using the card. It has been about a year and a half and we have had no issues.</p>

<p>Many checking accounts today come with debit cards, which seem to work well for students. During two years of college, I don't think my son has ever written an actual check. Using the debit card (or typing in its number online) seems more natural to him.</p>

<p>One more thing, colleges won't release any info to parents regardless of student's age unless student signs a form saying "OK". My DS will be a 17 year old freshman 3,000 miles away and I am going to make sure he signs.....no problem with checking for 17 year olds as long as joint account..they are a little tougher now with patriot act...</p>

<p>Ebeeee---when my then-16-year-old son went off to college, we were told there was NOTHING he could sign, that under FIRPA his privacy was protected, period. Perhaps your son's school will be different.</p>

<p>When my son started driving i got him a prepaid visa buxx card. You use it just like a Debit or Credit card. But you control the funds. It was a great way for him to learn how to manage money. You put how ever much money you want on the card. <a href="http://www.visabuxx.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.visabuxx.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The health care advice is a good one. My D had to deal with a UTI shortly after moving to college. She called to tell me she went to a clinic and got antibiotics...and even remembered to tell them she was allergic to penicillin! She was also there when her roommate went to be treated for pinkeye. It's good to know they can get the help they need.</p>

<p>Please keep these great suggestions coming! As my oldest gets ready to fly the coop, I can use all the help I can get. I know a friend said to save up all of those Linens & Things and BB&B coupons that are always in the mailbox or Sunday's paper. Evidently, they will take one coupon per item, not just one per transaction.</p>

<p>A little basic instruction in food safety might be a good idea (e.g., it is NOT ok to eat last night's pizza for breakfast if you left it out on your desk overnight, but it is ok to eat it if you refrigerated it within a couple of hours after it was delivered).</p>

<p>It's amazing what kids don't know.</p>

<p>The pizza thing...amazing I have lived this long ;)</p>

<p>Our boys were recently confused about the meaning of dry clean only, when I thought they had this concept down. They put a brand new suit in the washing machine when salsa spilled on the pants in an attempt to keep me from getting mad. (Had stayed up after a formal dance and were watching TV without changing first; little brother on the advice of big brother threw the suit into the machine at midnight.) Big brother said he thought the dry clean part was optional.</p>

<p>So..re: Family Education Rights and Privacy ACt, FERPA, the university my DS is going to says they ask each student to sign a disclosure statement either allowing or not allowing parents to view records protected by FERPA. While I will encourage him to do a lot on his own, he is 17 and I am paying for the school so he will be allowing...lol.</p>

<p>There are several threads in parents forum titled "Credit Cards" if anyone wants details. The B of A student visa card seems to be highly recommended. Fees are waived for the first five years, the account comes with checking and /or savings, ATM/debit and credit cards (both with optional photo) and full on-line banking service. You can get a paper bill that will come to your home and your kids will get an on-line bill. They pay the credit card off electronically out of their checking account. You can easily transfer $$ electronically as needed from any bank account. My D's account is starting with a $600 credit limit, which I am told increases fairly quickly with use (surprise, surprise.) Several other banks offer similar student cards. I chose B of A on recs from CC parents, but also because my D is going to a smallish town and B of A has an office in town, plus the campus machine is B of A.</p>

<p>That FERPA is crazy, IMO. </p>

<p>I'm paying for my son's education, and unless he waives his right to privacy, I can't see ANY of his records - grades, nothing??
How does that make any sense??</p>

<p>FYI
Visa Buxx has discontinued their program.</p>