Sons: Packing for college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH went to a military academy and did not realize that my DS needed to pack anything.

My DS is at a military academy and definitely still needed to pack stuff...

[Anonymous]

DP with a procrastinating packer. We are in the car now. DS realized 90 minutes in that he had forgotten his deodorant, his razor, his toothbrush, his pillow, and his flip flops.

It’s genetic. DH was asked to bring home school supplies from the office. Yesterday evening, he produced a bag that contained two rolls of Scotch tape, but no dispenser. A stapler, but no staples.

Tomorrow, DC and DH will be making a Target run while I hang back and enjoy a quiet coffee.

[Anonymous]

You gave him a shot at DIY; now you get all up in it and start taking apart his room right out from under him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP with a procrastinating packer. We are in the car now. DS realized 90 minutes in that he had forgotten his deodorant, his razor, his toothbrush, his pillow, and his flip flops.

It’s genetic. DH was asked to bring home school supplies from the office. Yesterday evening, he produced a bag that contained two rolls of Scotch tape, but no dispenser. A stapler, but no staples.

Tomorrow, DC and DH will be making a Target run while I hang back and enjoy a quiet coffee.

My husband marveled at my older brother showing up to our cousin's wedding with his guitar, but forgot a tie and belt.

We once got to a beach vacation when my husband realized he left his entire suitcase at home . Completely unperturbed he headed to the outlets and picked up a bathing suit and some t-shirts, shorts, etc. He is also king of the 'don't bring too much'. Pack light. My husband and 2 teen sons can each go on a week vacation with a small carry-on. I am queen of the over-pack because I always "want options".
And everyone will eventually ask to borrow toiletries, toothpaste (if they remembered the toothbrush) etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP with a procrastinating packer. We are in the car now. DS realized 90 minutes in that he had forgotten his deodorant, his razor, his toothbrush, his pillow, and his flip flops.

It’s genetic. DH was asked to bring home school supplies from the office. Yesterday evening, he produced a bag that contained two rolls of Scotch tape, but no dispenser. A stapler, but no staples.

Tomorrow, DC and DH will be making a Target run while I hang back and enjoy a quiet coffee.

My husband marveled at my older brother showing up to our cousin's wedding with his guitar, but forgot a tie and belt.

We once got to a beach vacation when my husband realized he left his entire suitcase at home . Completely unperturbed he headed to the outlets and picked up a bathing suit and some t-shirts, shorts, etc. He is also king of the 'don't bring too much'. Pack light. My husband and 2 teen sons can each go on a week vacation with a small carry-on. I am queen of the over-pack because I always "want options".
And everyone will eventually ask to borrow toiletries, toothpaste (if they remembered the toothbrush) etc.

I meant to say--it all works out for them. You have the right approach--quiet coffee while they right the wrongs. Good luck with everything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!!

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

Yup. I was shocked when I arrived for move out that my DS hadn't packed a darn thing when I arrived.

Mine hadn’t either, but I wasn’t surprised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

does he wear everything several times? I don’t know of a college student doing laundry less than once a week.

[Anonymous]

Let him be. He's not going to college in the middle of an African desert. He's going to some college town that'll have Amazon delivery and a Target or whatever, and he'll figure it all out. If he forgets stuff, he'll borrow, go without, and get it next time he's home.

[Anonymous]

Mine also refused to pack, but it worked out. We ordered a few things from Amazon (the ubiquitous gray sheets, towels, shower caddy) and I got some of the big “IKEA” bags (though they were from Amazon). I opened one up in his room and put in the things we ordered and then suggested he fill it with anything else he wanted to take. He crammed his clothes in the rest of the bags at the last minute. Those bags are great because they fit in the car easily and can be folded up pretty small to be stashed away for spring move out.

I think mine was ambivalent about leaving home and putting off packing kept it from being real, somehow? FWIW, he adapted well and is doing great in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine also refused to pack, but it worked out. We ordered a few things from Amazon (the ubiquitous gray sheets, towels, shower caddy) and I got some of the big “IKEA” bags (though they were from Amazon). I opened one up in his room and put in the things we ordered and then suggested he fill it with anything else he wanted to take. He crammed his clothes in the rest of the bags at the last minute. Those bags are great because they fit in the car easily and can be folded up pretty small to be stashed away for spring move out.

I think mine was ambivalent about leaving home and putting off packing kept it from being real, somehow? FWIW, he adapted well and is doing great in school.

I think this is it for a lot of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!!

My son's college had a packing list on their housing webpage. Direct him there.

[Anonymous]

Can he text his roommate? Maybe if he heard what someone else is planning to bring, he will be jump started?.

But I suspect he will waste alot of $$ buying stuff when he gets there, because he refuses to pack/organize.