We got a letter today from the housing office at SS-LAC giving us the opportunity to buy packages for our DS. We can get him a move in box with snacks, a welcome mug with candy, a Halloween box and I think two other items for the low-low price of $130 or something. Boxes can be purchased separately. A great way to let the kid know you miss him. BUT, he’s not gone yet and I’m supposed to shell out for these things and even write the notes that go in them now! It doesn’t seem genuine to say I miss him when he’s not gone yet! I don’t miss him yet (although I kind of do cause I hardly ever see him these days). It seems like one of those things that is supposed to make you feel guilty if you don’t do it. Like I don’t miss him, or don’t love him, because I’'m not sending him this cheesy box. If I miss him and feel like sending him something maybe I’ll just do it at the time. It’s like those things on FB that say “post if you really love your son.” If I don’t post it does it mean I don’t love my son? Will he be hurt? Why do I have my newsfeed full of people saying they love their sons? I ASSUME that they love their sons. Oy vey. I thought the bag of dorm stuff (pillows, sheets, etc.) was bad enough, but at least that was useful.
We got the same letter- twice. We are not doing it - my kid will not eat any of the food in those care packages and I will essentially be spending money on nothing. I am going to send my own care package if/when necessary.
We got the same care package info and we aren’t doing it because my D is allergic to most of the items going in the packages. I’ll send my own packages with things specifically chosen for my daughter.
We got that letter, too (also twice). It did strike me as an attempt to guilt me into buying the package – “our goal is 100% participation.” No pressure. I agree – I will send my own care packages with items I know S will enjoy/appreciate.
Back in the day, my boyfriend got “Examprim” (a take off on Pamprim, how politically correct), which was a big (foot-high) aspirin-type bottle full of candy and other crap that would pretty much hurt him if he ate it while studying for exams. Sad because his mom shelled out $20 and they were poverty level. I think we still have half of the candy in the container in the basement because he still feels bad about it.
The letters my son’s college sent us about “care packages” had the same “note paper” but of course now we have the “upgrade” of over-priced supposedly healthy snacks (uh, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese? for the microwave when you don’t allow him to have one?). The cost and the disingenuousness of it (writing the notes now…) was distasteful.
They even had a “send packages randomly” for a higher cost. And the letter flat out says “don’t let YOUR kid be the only one who DOESN’T get a package” which must make low income parents feel REALLY great. Or maybe just realize they could do the same thing for $10 themselves instead of $50.
I haven’t bought the sheet sets (ooh, XL twin sheets?!?!?), the laundry service (talk about setting kids up for entitled expensive behavior, just my HO), nor the “we miss you” packages. I’ll take him out for dinner off-campus at his favorite restaurant, and he’ll love that. And he can go to Costco with me and pick out anything he’d want to take with him or get sent.
You can send your own. Get the USPS prepaid boxes, stuff them full of stuff, and send. Last year I also sent Popcorn Factory canisters of flavored popcorn and candy for about $25/box. Sent them to my kids and niece and nephew. Very easy and you can pick which day to ship.
Better yet - if you have Amazon prime you can send packages without a shipping cost and two-day delivery.
Care packages are better when you send them the treats they are used to getting at home.
Question for those of you with dorm experiences. DS can have a fridge and hot pot but no microwave. The kid eats two dinners usually. Any ideas besides cup of noodles for things that he can buy to make with boiling water? Other ideas for late night meals?
In college, I used an electric wok for all kinds of cooking in my room (internships, etc., got in the way of a visit to the dining hall). Perhaps schools don’t even think to ban those?
Hot pot could be used for soup, mac n cheese, ravioli, anything in a can, any pasta, cook a veggie…alot of ways if you are creative.
Does he eat couscous? Just add boiling water and wait 5 mins. Maybe too healthy for a college student. Softball girl is taking the instant oatmeal packets. She tells me from camping you can just add the water to the sachet. I personally think that is gross.
Often, there is a lounge/communal kitchen with a microwave.
The college says “no appliance allowed that does not have an automatic shutoff” in addition to many specific examples such as toaster ovens and microwaves.
I might need to do some research. Toasters come to mind, as they have automatic shutoffs. Not sure about a grilled cheese maker, those can be quite useful.
Many schools do not allow microwaves or any appliance with and ‘open element’ of without an automatic shut off. Many a fire has been started by a coffee pot left on. My daughter couldn’t have anything without the shut off, and they illegally had a griddle, which they had to hide out of the kitchenette because there were ‘inspections.’
Stick to the rules. Toasters aren’t allowed, and they have lots of crumbs which attract bugs and worse.
1 week until I leave…
Is this a hot pot? http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/proctor-silex-32-ounce-hot-pot/1018232286?skuId=18232286
If so, there are web pages devoted to recipes for them. See:
http://www.theyummylife.com/Instant_Meals_On_The_Go
http://thestonesoup.com/blog/2012/02/the-quickest-easiest-way-to-make-a-hot-meal-without-a-kitchen/
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/blog/homemade-backpacking-meals-just-add-water/
The homemade dry ones might make good care package contents 
@OHMomof2, I think as long as it is cordless it will have an automatic shut-off. On Amazon, I searched cordless electric teapots and came up with a bunch of options. I like the instant meal links you have!
Received a nice surprise today - I got a $500 per year scholarship from the Honors college at WSU.
About the food - are there kitchens at all in the dorms? There’s one on every floor on mine. Stove, microwave, sink, everything.
Congrats albert69!! That’s wonderful!!
D is stressing about her book order. She filled out the forms for the school to research/pull her books and pack them up for her. Today her bio professor emailed and requested a certain version of the book. She wants to make sure that the bookstore is aware of this email and packs the correct version of the book. I am sure it will be fine.
Most dorms that I have seen have small kitchens either on each floor or in the main lobby area.