Reply to Is not allowing parents inside the dorm to help with move in the norm now?

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Is not allowing parents inside the dorm to help with move in the norm now? "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Parent of two college graduates. We never helped them move in. We said our goodbyes at home and they were off. Freshman parents helping with move in is so foreign to me![/quote]

It's extremely common to move your freshman in.  Even if you live within driving distance from home.  But it's a day (sometime only a few hours) and then they are off to starting their college experience.

For those that live a flight away from college, it's almost a requirement for parents to go help (and who wouldn't want to?!?!?)  I have it down (2-3K away for both kids).  Go 2 days before move in so we can purchase room basics (sheets, towels, bedding, etc), get it laundered, explore the area college is (since we have only visited once or twice for a day each time), move student in and then attend "parent events" and leave exactly when the university asks parents to leave for new student orientation.  No way a kid could do all the shopping and move in easily as it requires a rental car.  Plus I'd hate for my kid to be one of the the few there without family to assist
[/quote]

I think this is definately a bigger deal for parents than for kids.  My parents didn't help me move into my dorm and I was totally fine.  My husband helped our child move into the dorm, but that was more because our son hadn't even set foot on the campus before he started so it was good to have a second person there.  IF he had been more familiar with the area then he likely would have preferred to just fly solo and move in without help.  Amazon delivery was quite helpful to help keep his packing minimal.  [/quote]

Amazon delivery (really any delivery) is a disaster for the first 2-3 weeks on most college campuses.  The mail rooms are overwhelmed.  My kids don't overpack (ok my older male didn't, waiting to see with the younger this fall), but there is no way to take an Uber with the basics---2 suitcases, then towels, sheets, blankets (one being a weighted blanket as that really helps my kid), mattress topper, fan (no AC) and I'm sure there are a few other basic needs.  So nothing outrageous, but I can't imagine how a kid could fly 3K miles and then get all this stuff easily without a car.  Oh, and I prefer to wash said towels and sheets once purchased, as I know it might be Dec or May before they are washed again (at least the sheets) 
And as far as deliveries---my kid's campus this fall has a central Mailroom (not in each dorm), so I cannot imagine my 5 ft 95lb daughter hauling a mattress topper and her 20lb weighted blanket the 15 min walk from the mailroom to the dorm.  Sure, she could probably figure it out, but it would be unneeded stress.  So I will join her, we go to have 2 full days to purchase items (or retrieve them from the hotel, as I like to just amazon stuff there and have it waiting), launder them and then explore the area, since we have only been there for less than 2 days total.

I also enjoy going to the planned parent events the day after movein---University encourages all parents to attend, and then happily leave when they recommend.  Being 3K miles away, the next time I will be back is likely May to help put things into storage for the summer, however, my kid could manage that themselves if needed (but it definately takes the stress off during finals for a parent to assist, especially when you don't have a car on campus)

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics