Sons: Packing for college
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Anonymous
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Does anyone have suggestions for getting your boys to pack up for school?
I am trying to let my son take charge of this college packing process. He doesn't want too much stuff, tho I did convince him that he should have more than just sheets on his bed in a colder climate! I've gotten what he's asked for and have encouraged him to start organizing his things. He seems to think that because he has to wear clothes until we leave on Saturday, he can't pack anything!! When I mentioned that he could pack up his desk items, he says that can wait until later because it will all go into his backpack. (It won't all fit in the backpack.) He's allowed to move things into the living room so he can see things better and pack it up in an organized way, but I really think he's going to do this all on Friday night after he gets off of work and then he will realize he's missing something important. I am venting here because otherwise I will vent at him.... Send advice and patience please! |
Anonymous
| Is he a freshman? I would definitely help more. My kid could handle it by the time he was a sophomore. And boys always wait till the last minute. If you forget something, it’s not a big deal he can get it later. |
Anonymous
| One of my kids was definitely like this. Packed his clothes hours before a plane flight. I bought and packed the essentials and washed the sheets. When he got to college, he managed to get himself an Amazon prime account. It worked out. It was stressful, but it worked out. |
Anonymous
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Hmm this is tough. Maybe you could ask him to type up a packing list so that when the time comes to physically pack he will know exactly what all is needed.
This will have the benefit of a) getting him to (hopefully) grasp the extent of what he needs to pack and that it is not a last minute endeavor. If he won’t write one up maybe there is something online you could print out. And b) this will give something to cross-reference during actual packing so nothing is left out. But at the end of the day if he forgets something it will be a life lesson and he will have to go to Target or wherever to get what he needs (within a budget ideally since he needs to figure this out). |
Anonymous
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OP here. He will be a freshman! He is not interested in lists -- "you're meddling, mom! -- and says he will be fine. He also does not comprehend that when he gets a half sized dresser with three drawers, he will need to actually use hangers.
I've given him the outline of how to pack stuff up so it is easy to unload, I've offered to help and been told to back off because "it will get done." I have the bedding ready to go in the living room. I'm going to walk the dog a lot an bury myself in work!! |
Anonymous
Saying this to be funny I hope ... and you know he'll go out with his friends on his last night. It's the last night! It will be a late one. Packing likely in the morning. |
Anonymous
| Mine packed up the day or so before we left. I made sure to have all of the necessities ready to go. He got all of his clothes and the personal items he wanted. |
Anonymous
| My son doesn’t have that much stuff to bring. I’m not packing extra sheets (1 set) or towels (2 towels+1 beach towel) because he won’t use them. He has a computer, xbox, 6 tshirts/shorts/undies. Basic supplies for laundry. He has a generous meal plan and there’s a Walmart a 10 min walk away. That’s it. He just doesn’t care and never has. |
Anonymous
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My son was like this too. He stayed up and packed everything the night before we left. It was already to be loaded when we woke up the next morning. The only dorm room shopping he "did" was to ask me to pick out some bedding in a gray color. He did not over pack and really didn't need anything extra throughout the semester. It worked out fine.
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Anonymous
I feel your pain. I suggest emphasizing to him that packing always takes longer than he thinks it will. And he probably won't listen this time, but maybe in a year. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but expect something similar for move out. It always takes longer than they imagine, at least to have any level of actual organization |
Anonymous
| There was a hilarious thread on College Confidential decade+ ago about a son. He was going to college in California and would be driving cross country. He fancied himself a mechanic. Mom was witnessing, day after day, car parts everywhere in the garage. Car still being worked on. |
Anonymous
I've already told him that I have plans with a friend on Friday evening, so I can't help then but he's welcome to load up the car because I won't be using it! He wants to leave at 9 on Saturday. I will be ready and well rested! |
Anonymous
Same in our house. Freshman year, my son wouldn't touch a thing and I finally gave up. Night before we were to leave, he pulled an all-nighter, packed it all, and it was ready to go into the car the next morning. Then slept the entire 6 hour drive to his college. He's a senior now, and driving himself back to school for a few years, but he still waits until the very last minute. |
Anonymous
Typical  . My firstborn is a rising college Freshmen too. If I ask about anything for the dorm--met with don't care. I think you guys will need a rug--zero interest. He has talked to his roommate over the phone and they seem perfect for each other---both don't give a sh*t. Lol. He told me they were going to decide who was bringing what but with another call--but they had one last week and I guess that didn't happen. I don't want to be 'Southern girl dorm mom' so not pushing. Thankfully, room comes with a mini fridge and microwave so really isn't much or any shared stuff needed.
I have work from home in upstairs attic so I have been buying essentials and putting them up here---mattress topper, box fan (no AC), new sheets/towels/pillows, laundry backpack/shower caddy, power strip, etc. School supplies, toiletries/medicine, tissues, etc. I also printed some hard copies of family/friend photos and poster of beloved dog and favorite sports team. If he wants to put any up, he can. He has been this way pretty much his whole life---but he is very pleased and thankful afterwards. He is very independent/resourceful--metro to HS, takes care of all academics/applications himself, I just am taking over--and he will pack his clothes--that's it. If they end up in a big heap or trash bag. Oh well. The last thing my husband and I want to do is a Target run with the 1,700 other Freshmen. I'd rather just take what he's not using back home with us. We are throwing an extra 4X7 rug in car and will only bring it up if they decide they want it. It sounds like a lot, but it is just one tiny space in corner of office and all of this stuff will easily fit in our vehicle--just the essentials. I am always a last minute vacation packer so that part he got from me--but I have made sure to order things early and I am prepared that way. I'm laughing at 'only thing he did was pick out some bedding in a gray color'...that is exactly the only thing my kid did. |
Anonymous
Yup. I was shocked when I arrived for move out that my DS hadn't packed a darn thing when I arrived. |