<p>I’ve shipped items - a favorite coat that originally wasn’t going “out to school”, a replacement cell phone for one that died because no Verizon store with a 2 hour drive, the tags for the vehicle that were mailed to the home address - but nothing that the kids couldn’t go out and get themselves or that would cost more for me to buy and ship than for them to go and get…</p>
<p>I have mailed things to both of my girls. I just sent them each a package because they couldn’t carry all of their things in a suitcase. I got my daughter a pasta maching for Christmas…a little hard to carry on a plane, train and subway along with her suitcase , laptop and carry on.
If they need something sent I will do it but it has always been something they already have not something I bought ( they have better shopping in Boston tthan we have at home )</p>
<p>For those shipping clothes, those suck-the-air-out-with-the-vacuum-cleaner bags work out great. Makes you able to cram a lot of things into a smaller box and even a big winter jacket came out pristine. S brought back the ones we used in September and reused them to send a box of extra winter stuff this week (to Arctic on the Lake Chicago).</p>
<p>Just shipped back a phone charger, a pair of sneakers and other items left behind. Threw in some cans of tuna, etc.
He doesn’t ask me to throw in any food but I have a commercial UPS account and he is in the city where everything is very expensive.<br>
I don’t consider it babying when I send things because in the end it actually saves me money.</p>
<p>S called just yesterday and asked for a replacement bank card - 2nd time this year. UGH!!</p>
<p>They love getting “stuff” and I don’t mind sending it. Another hug from home!</p>
<p>woody - give him the 800 number, tell him to put it into his cell phone and let him call for his own replacement cards when he looses/leaves it in the machine…been there done that LOL. My son’s credit card got stolen (and used at the local bars). I made him call the crdit card company, deal with the paperwork, the police report and everything. We need to “help” these kids grow up and start connecting the realities of the “adult” life they are leading. </p>
<p>I love sending little “I love you care packages” and I do…but I won’t take care of things they can take care of and should be learning how to take care of.</p>
<p>^^yep, it’s a good number to know. S1 has had his wallet stolen once and lost once since he went to college four years ago. Both times he had called the bank/card companies and had new ones on order before he even told us.</p>
<p>I certainly found myself shipping much more in the first year or two my kids (1 D and 1S) lived on campus with no car. Typically, these were things they needed, forgot, couldn’t get easily, etc.</p>
<p>However, once that phase was over, I’ve shipped much less. I still do care packages for Halloween, Finals, Valentines Day and Easter. I enjoy doing this occasionally and now that I’m not “on call” for handling little emergencies as much, I enjoy it even more. </p>
<p>I do understand about doing too much for them, too. I’m guilty of that, for sure. Sometimes it’s a cost issue too. If I can order something for them and would pay for it anyway, sometimes it’s just easier, faster (and even cheaper since I’m a better shopper) to do it for them. But again, I’m not doing as much as I used too. So my New Year’s resolution to let go more is already working!</p>
<p>I sent my freshman S a new (used) phone when his died, mainly because since I am the account holder, the cell phone company will not deal with anyone but me. </p>
<p>S is 2000 miles away, and I had no problem sending him the few extra clothes he figured out that he would need. He only took 4 pieces of luggage with him last September (and one of those was a printer), although we had sent his bag of bedding ahead of time. That’s not much “stuff” these days, compared to other college kids I have known. It all fit comfortably into the rental sedan that also had 3 adults in it. I am not surprised that he needed a few more things, and I was happy to send it to him.</p>
<p>I also like sending him an occasional surprise package with a few small things (mainly food!) that I know he will enjoy.</p>
<p>I ship to by oldest often. I also use Drugstore.com for her. I am paying for the items anyway and I use free shipping. I also send stuff from home that she decides she needs. Like some of the the other posters I also put food items in. If I am at the market and see something on sale that I know she eats I buy it and put it away till I send the next flat rate box. She doesn’t ask but I enjoy doing it.
Child 2 has only asked once. And it was big. He wanted Snowboard, boots and all the stuff that goes along with it including the helmet. I said NO. Dad said YES. I don’t ship him care packages since he never checks his mail. I do send him meds but I tell him they are coming.
I am sure Child 3 will want packages.</p>
<p>I get suckered into sending care packages all the time. Sometimes I throw in something she left in her bedroom, something new, something used…</p>
<p>I know DD just wants to make me feel wanted. One box a month no more!</p>
<p>Here, the many freshman year requests diminished by second semester and sophomore year, as our kids befriended some with cars. </p>
<p>As first-term freshmen, they told me they didn’t want to ask new friends with cars for too many mundane trips, lest they be viewed as a mooch while trying to make new friends. </p>
<p>Some errands take 2 hours by bus, while the car-owning student does it in 15 minutes flat, so that’s a bit rough and worth considering, IMO, as reason to mail a simple package. </p>
<p>My older 2, who don’t own cars, traded favors for an occasional errand-trip throughout college. Even so, they liked to save this chit for end-of-term airport rides, not quick runs to stores. I can imagine those who own cars don’t like to be asked constantly, either. </p>
<p>My house rule is: any garment left on a college visit home stays here until their next visit. This caused them to pack up more carefully between visits.</p>
<p>My D began wearing remarkably unmatched socks as her signature fashion statement (ok at her college, not everywhere 
Great idea; no more mailing odd socks. At least bras come all in one piece.</p>
<p>interesting thread; D1 requested a number of things be shipped last semester; freshman…we were on good terms then so I didn’t mind, especially if she was “nice” about asking…</p>
<p>Christmas break changed all that; she has been impossible for 25 of the 30 days she has been home…nasty, petulant, combative and just all-around impossible to have around…and no, she won’t reveal why…even if asked…tried that in December…</p>
<p>She’ll be lucky if I even respond to her phone calls and IM’s when she goes back…</p>
<p>I’ll let her Dad know to tell her to order what she needs online…for now, I’m done.</p>
<p>Can’t say I ever sent stuff to either son.</p>
<p>When S2 was in boarding school his first year roommate called his mother and asked if she would UPS a 12-pack of Coke to him. </p>
<p>We were close by (15 mins) and always told him if he ever needed anything to let us know and we would be sure to pick it up and bring to school. His mother called me to ask if we would do her a favor and pick up the soda for him. Of course we would! I just couldn’t believe the request…but then again, we were worlds apart on many levels.</p>
<p>Paying3 I loved your comment about leftover clothes. DS goes to school in Cleveland and one year left his hat and gloves home. I did mail them to him! We’re more than 2 hours away.</p>
<p>I have not mailed any food or other care packages but have purchased some school supplies and had them shipped directly to him (toner – yup ran out and had papers to do, small white boards and a folding bookcase).</p>
<p>The way I look at it is, how much longer will D ask for my help in something as trivial as shipping her something? Just as the high school days when we got to be involved in her everyday life ended, these occassional times when she asks for assistance will also end.<br>
D is 6 hours away and doesn’t have a car. She is double majoring and minoring, and is just one of those “head in the tunnel barreling toward the goal at the end” kind of kids, and if my sending something or picking up supplies for her helps, then I’m ready to do it!</p>
<p>When she injured her Achille’s tendon, we shipped her heel cups and exercise directions.
Helped her get a jump on alievating the problem.</p>
<p>When she said she had so much studying to do that she was eating cereal in her room vs going to the cafeteria for dinner, we shipped dried fruit, soups and crackers, etc.</p>
<p>Often she doesn’t ask, we just pick up on the need. When she does ask, she is always very gracious in her asking. Sometimes she is not so good at acknowledging that the package arrived, but is getting much better as she gets older.</p>
<p>When we drive her to school in the fall, we have a system of boxes she keeps under her bed full of replacement supplies - bottles of shampoo, reams of computer paper, extra ink cartridges, tons of snacks, extra desk lamp bulbs - you name it, it is under there. We think this just allows her to more fully concentrate on what she is there for and keeps the need to locate routine supplies to virtually nil. We also stock the notorious “drug bag” with every over the counter (and some prescription items) you can imagine. The drug bag has been a godsend with our D’s at college when they call at 2 am with those dreaded words, “I’m sick”. We listen to the symptoms, have them open up the drug bag and tell them what to do. Many an illness has been nipped in the bud before it got out of hand.</p>
<p>So do I ship things to our D - yes! Both those fun “care package” type of boxes and then the occassional items they request.</p>
<p>OMG - you mean I’m not the only one with a drama queen!! Seriously, I feel your pain. D is a senior in HS, and is constantly telling us how she is moving out the day she turns 18 (March). I’m so over her - now my response is fine, just leave your Jeep, all your Abercrappy clothing, find a way to pay for your HS tuition for the last few months; oh, then you can figure out a way to pay rent, utilities, etc. It usually shuts her up - or at least gets the door slammed - either way - August will be here soon!!</p>
<p>D didn’t ask for much to be shipped - just something she may have forgotten her first 2 years. As a junior, she did Study Abroad, and there was no way I was shipping, and since she had to pay for travel, etc. while there, she really learned the value of money. She didn’t take something with her this fall, and I said I found it and would send it to her, and she told me not to, because financially it wasn’t worth it. When home, we go shopping together for the bigger items - boots, etc., that she can’t afford, but everything else is on her. She is concerned about shipping costs of stuff at end of senior year, and since she earned a free flight, she will fly back with two 50 lb., suitcases just to lower the cost. It’s interesting how when they have to spend their own money, they learn not to keep asking for things, because they realize the value of money.</p>
<p>Without having read all the posts… this may have been suggested. I have been an Amazon Prime member for a long time now. $79/year and all the shipping is paid for, and it’s two-day shipping at that. You’d be amazed at what you can get on Amazon–groceries and drugstore stuff as well. The whole family uses the account, we ship everywhere. I’m quite certain we’ve more than saved the $79 in gas alone.</p>