<p>We really went to town on the OTC meds and health supplies for D1. That was D2’s present (ahem–funded by the parental units :rolleyes:) for D1. It was an ENORMOUS over-the-top bundle of everything, including two hot/cold packs (so that one could be chilling in the freezer/fridge and the other was a room temp ready to be microwaved) and dry gatorade mix (in case of the trots). D1 was the go-to source for her floor when anyone needed a painkiller. And it was utterly worth it, because she was quite ill a couple of times freshman year and didn’t have to go out shopping for meds. </p>
<p>Most of it stays good from year to year (e.g. bandaids, thermometer, adorable elephant (her school’s mascot) bag it’s all packed up in ) so it’s a one-time expense. </p>
<p>D2 (rising HS junior) is back from her summer Israel trip which was of course amazing. Time to start with the college search in earnest. Colleges That Change Lives roadshow, and then a family vacation with a visit to University of Denver at the end.</p>
<p>LINYMOM - I am sure I will have lots of questions for you, if she decides to apply to Northwestern. Right now it looks like a great fit for her and I am pretty sure it will be on the spring break trip!</p>
<p>Got a mailing from D1’s school today to sign up for care packages for the year. At first I thought that it was expensive, but then I remember how much care packages for camp end up costing. Doesn’t seem so outrageous and I don’t have to shlep around to get the stuff, pack it and mail it. You send them personalized notes to go in each package. Anyone else do something like this?</p>
<p>MDmom, I sent my D1 one of those packages for Halloween her freshman year, and she appreciated the thought, but it was mostly junk food that she didn’t want. If the packages include things your D likes, then it might be worth it. I enjoy sending packages, so now I send my own with healthy snacks and seasonal items. </p>
<p>I did send a package of fresh fruit from a compay called Fruitguys that my D2 loved. I’ll send that one again.</p>
<p>I’ve done a couple of packages, but only the groupon ones were worth it. My kids would just as soon have me make their favorite cookies then anything else. Groupon-wise, I’ve done Cheryl’s cookies and a Spoonful of comfort [Chicken</a> Soup Gift Basket, Gourmet Get Well Care Package: Mail Order](<a href=“http://www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/]Chicken”>http://www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/) I’m a cheapskate so won’t pay full price, but at half-price, they were deals! </p>
<p>And here’s a tip - subscribe to the groupon or living social, etc. deal for your kids new college town.</p>
<p>boysx3, thanks! I will shamefully confess that I’d already seen your name on the DU forum :o We’ll see what D2 thinks of the campus and the tour first.</p>
<p>My dd will be in her dorm room 2 weeks from today!! I got a little weepy and had to take a few big breaths to calm down, but she is so excited that I know I will be OK! </p>
<p>Just checking in and wanted to add myself as a resource for UMDCP - I’m an alum and my eldest is incoming freshman engineer there. </p>
<p>And yes, phillyartmom, I am with you on the feelings - shopping for college supplies is my distraction. I am stretching out the shopping by buying only an item or two at a time (on the premise of comparing prices between stores) so I have an excuse to keep shopping…husband thinks I’m wasting gas and being inefficient with my time, but I am actually efficiently participating in my own form of therapy - shopping! ;)</p>
<p>When my S was an entering freshman last summer, I found that I was teary eyed quite a bit in anticipation of him starting college. It’s normal. I also found myself looking at photo albums of when he was a baby and toddler…it’s amazing how fast the time goes!</p>
<p>I remember that he woke me up the night before we drove him to college to talk…he was a bit nervous himself! And this is someone who went away to summer camp and many other experiences.</p>
<p>They come home! And then it’s actually MORE pleasant because you see them maturing right before your eyes! My S asks me if I need any help getting dinner ready now, or setting the table! Oy, that in itself is amazing! ;)</p>
<p>Your D will be fine. She’ll be studying what she loves. A great place for you to visit! Especially in the winter…:)</p>
<p>Refresh my memory…do you have other children still at home? I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know S2 and his quirky personality much better without S1 around everyday. I know I’ll be all tears again when he leaves for college, but in a good happy way! It’s hard, but knowing that they are safe and happy and having positive experiences is all a parent can ask for.</p>
<p>^^Oops, Vitrac, Lol…I didn’t mean to do that! I was just pointing out that this is a big milestone in life, but they really do come back…quite often in fact! and in many cases with laundry too! ;)</p>
<p>maryversity: have fun with shopping…that’s my favorite type of “therapy” too!</p>
<p>But it is hard to see them leave the empty nest. You do get used to it- then they come home and leave again. It’s a bit of ups and downs- but their success is a sign that we did our job well. We wouldn’t have it any other way…</p>
<p>Well said, ChocChip…I had exactly the same feelings a year ago. Although I avoided old pictures and videos. My son’s name is Andy and his friends made a big deal about “Andy going to college” from Toy Story 3, and just thinking about that got me a bit weepy (I still haven’t seen it). This summer’s been great. He’s been home for over 3 months already and now I’m going to have to go through w/drawel all over again. The good news is that now I know that it’s ok when he’s gone.</p>
<p>I’m feeling a little uneasy about the fact that my S does not have a true “first choice”. He liked a bunch of schools on visits, but there hasn’t been one that he got all excited about it. I think having a school to “love” and hope for, would really increase his motivation, interest and excitement. I sort of feel bad that he is doing what is expected (application, essay, studying, etc…) but mostly because he knows he should, not because he is excited about it. </p>
<p>I really can’t think of additional schools to realistically consider, given our “requirements” (major, Jewish life, location) and of course his grades/ACT, etc.</p>
<p>Great advice from chocchip and umich. I think that the the anticipation is worse than the actual event the summer before a child leaves for college. It’s hard not to be part of your child’s everyday life, but it is still exciting to watch them mature. I remember my surprise years ago when I heard a child-rearing expert say that a parent’s most important job was to prepare their child for independence. If your S or D is ready to head off to college, you’ve done your job.</p>
<p>Champs, I’ve seen other kids who don’t have a tru “first choice.” Sometimes they don’t want to get their heart set on a place until they know whether it’s a real option. He should be fine as long as he liked several schools.</p>
) so it’s a one-time expense. </p>
and in many cases with laundry too! ;)</p>