Parents of College Class of 2018 (A.K.A., "Is this the line to the poor house?")

[Bluestars]

Since my son is in the Corps, he has to live on campus all four years. The dorms are the oldest ones on campus, so the bathrooms are down the hall. They have some very nice dorms on campus for the other students though.

I forgot to mention that when we took our son out to dinner, he started eating chicken and looked like he was chocking. His eyes started to water and he couldn't talk. I was so scared. I asked him if he could breathe and he shook his head yes. I told my husband that we need to do the Heimlich, so my husband got up and started to do it to my son (who would not stand up). I was about ready to pull him out of his chair and scream for help, but he threw up the chicken on his plate.

He said that he could breathe the entire time, but the chicken was stuck in his throat. and he could not talk. Do any nurses out there know what to do in this situation? I assume the Heimlich. I tried to tell my son how to do it if it happens when he is by himself, but he acted annoyed at me for being so worried and said that he didn't want to talk about it. It scared me so much.

 

[madge]

I guess you mean me but I'm not sure what info you were wanting specifically?

I mean ... how do you seal it? what are you sending? I've seen some costs listed since I asked, so that answered that, but I'm feeling clueless on how to mail a pumpkin.

 

[Pembo]

DS is considering an apartment or being an RA. There is really only one full service food place on campus and he is quickly tiring of it. The other place to eat is "terrible". He still eats there though. He really wants a kitchen so he can make some of his own food. They aren't allowed microwaves in the dorm. The college has some nice suite style living and apartments. Or there is the off campus option. He is thinking about his options. So we will see...

Bluestars-never had that happen. Glad he coughed it up. Guess he really liked the chicken! lol

Ds comes home tomorrow for Fall Break. They get Friday off! My parents are picking him up after classes, so he'll be here for 3 nights. We have to go shopping. He needs a suit. The frat he pledged has a semi-formal in November. Excited to see him and shop!!

 

[sk!mom]

I mean ... how do you seal it? what are you sending? I've seen some costs listed since I asked, so that answered that, but I'm feeling clueless on how to mail a pumpkin.

I packed mine with mostly snacks. For my nephew- jerky, gummies, and some chocolate. For DD- chocolate, Nutella snack, peanut butter snack, and candy corn m&m's.

For both: a pez and refills, the fake glasses with big nose disguise things, some big ugly mouth suckers. Just funny odds and ends.

I hit Target's dollar spot and Halloween section and then Halloween and the check out snacks at Wal Mart.

I just used packing tape to tape down the handle and tape over the opening. I did put tissue paper in the top before taping over the hole.

They are in transit. I'll let you know if they get there. I'm still a doubter.

 

[madge]

I packed mine with mostly snacks. For my nephew- jerky, gummies, and some chocolate. For DD- chocolate, Nutella snack, peanut butter snack, and candy corn m&m's.

For both: a pez and refills, the fake glasses with big nose disguise things, some big ugly mouth suckers. Just funny odds and ends.

I hit Target's dollar spot and Halloween section and then Halloween and the check out snacks at Wal Mart.

I just used packing tape to tape down the handle and tape over the opening. I did put tissue paper in the top before taping over the hole.

They are in transit. I'll let you know if they get there. I'm still a doubter.

that was my other question that I forgot.

thanks so much for the details! I think I'm going to give it a try!

 

[sk!mom]

that was my other question that I forgot.

thanks so much for the details! I think I'm going to give it a try!

The pumpkins themselves were only a dollar and the goodies inside were not expensive. I know if they get there, my DD will have a "that's my crazy mom!' moment so I couldn't resist.

I had already sent her a package timed for the first of October with a pretty trick or treat bag, Halloween decals for her dorm door, and a Pumpkin decorating kit.

Another fun "my mom is crazy" idea...A couple of years ago DH had postage stamps made with my photo (the why is a long sweet story) but using them seemed a bit obnoxious for normal occasions so I saved them. They are being used for the perfect purpose- mail to your kid away at college
Me smiling up at her from every card!

 

[Gina]

I mean ... how do you seal it? what are you sending? I've seen some costs listed since I asked, so that answered that, but I'm feeling clueless on how to mail a pumpkin.

So sorry for the delayed response! As usual, been crazy busy. My son didn't get his pumpkin until Tuesday thanks to the dumb holiday, but he loved it. I had put tons of candy, a light-up spinny thing that I knew would remind him of WDW (and it totally did), a stress ball shaped like a skull, and some way cool little LED hanging pumpkin lights that are battery-powered. He sent me a pic with the string of lights around his neck while he sported his best monster face, and then another pic of the lights hanging from the bottom edge of his bed over his desk. Looked really cool! I wish I could post the pics from here. I still haven't had a chance to even look at the balloon pics that were posted, and I really want to see those!! I need to set a reminder for myself to look when I get home.

Anyways, I had found some neat glittery orange tulle for 99 cents at Walmart, and I used that wadded-up to fill the space between the filling and the opening so that it wouldn't all move around as much. I tucked the handle inside and put a big quarter-sheet mailing label over the opening. Then I wrapped clear packing tape around the whole thing several times. And I looked at the wrong receipt -- it cost me $6.70 to mail it. But still totally worth it.

Next month the Aggie Moms do "survival boxes" for pre-finals studying. Each member mom brings a box (like a copy paper size box) and 80-100 items. Individual bags of cookies, goldfish crackers, cereal bars, beef jerky, granola, candy, hot chocolate packets, popcorn, individual drink mixes, etc. Then they do an assembly-line type thing and fill all the boxes with everything. And I mean FILL. From the moms say and the pics I've seen, the kids can barely lift the boxes at that point, lol. So I probably won't do another mailer until the end of next month, when I send something for Christmas.

My son knows me so well... He came in for my birthday last weekend, and got me THE cutest sparkly stuffed Minnie. I love Minnie, and I love anything that sparkles, and those things together just make me . That coupled with the sob-inducing message he wrote on my FB wall, plus the amazing flowers my boyfriend sent me and the awesome Star Wars stuff he gave me, and it was a really nice day.

 

[Bluestars]

Gina, those care packages sound great. I'll bet your son loves to get them. I am glad you had such a wonderful birthday.

 

[sk!mom]

My son knows me so well... He came in for my birthday last weekend, and got me THE cutest sparkly stuffed Minnie. I love Minnie, and I love anything that sparkles, and those things together just make me . That coupled with the sob-inducing message he wrote on my FB wall, plus the amazing flowers my boyfriend sent me and the awesome Star Wars stuff he gave me, and it was a really nice day.

Good for your son for making your birthday special. Those special days can be hard with the kids away.

Yesterday was my birthday. My DD came home last weekend with a gift and we celebrated then. That will be her only trip home until Christmas.

She texted me a birthday greeting and then yesterday afternoon she texted saying, "You're getting lots of love on Instagram." That was her hint that I needed to look at Instagram. She had posted a cute picture of us from last weekend and a really sweet message. I love that girl!

We're lucky to have such thoughtful kids. Which is probably why we spend so much time thinking about packages to send them. At least that's MY justification.

 

[Gina]

Yesterday was my birthday. My DD came home last weekend with a gift and we celebrated then. That will be her only trip home until Christmas.

She texted me a birthday greeting and then yesterday afternoon she texted saying, "You're getting lots of love on Instagram." That was her hint that I needed to look at Instagram. She had posted a cute picture of us from last weekend and a really sweet message. I love that girl!

We're lucky to have such thoughtful kids. Which is probably why we spend so much time thinking about packages to send them. At least that's MY justification.[/QUOTE]




Happy Belated Birthday!!

So sweet of your daughter to post to you like that. Hope your day was a good one, even if she couldn't be there with you!

Gina, those care packages sound great. I'll bet your son loves to get them. I am glad you had such a wonderful birthday.

Thanks, Bluestars! Is your son adjusting better to life in the Corps? And you went to the game, right? Even though we lost, how'd you like it?? There is nothing in the world like a game at Kyle Field!!

 

[lvloopingbag]

Can't believe it is October of freshman year and we already have next year's housing selected and deposited.....The joys of college in the city.....I guess a lot of the upper classmen migrate off campus.....

 

[Bluestars]

Thanks, Bluestars! Is your son adjusting better to life in the Corps? And you went to the game, right? Even though we lost, how'd you like it?? There is nothing in the world like a game at Kyle Field!!

He still does not like the Corps, but he's heard they lighten up on a few things the second semester. He doesn't like all of the restrictions and the time it takes him away from doing other things. Hopefully, it will get better. He's made a lot of friends and loves the campus.

Watching a game for the first time at Kyle Field was amazing. We had 4th row seats, which was great in some ways, but we had to watch some of the plays on the big screen.

We are in town this weekend too and got to spend some time with our son. We will probably only see him on school breaks from now on. He is adjusting very well and has made a lot of friends. When we visited him at the end of August, he stayed at the hotel with us. This visit, he went back to campus to hang out with his friends. That's fine with me because I am happy that he is happy.

 

[Bluestars]

Good for your son for making your birthday special. Those special days can be hard with the kids away.

Yesterday was my birthday. My DD came home last weekend with a gift and we celebrated then. That will be her only trip home until Christmas.

She texted me a birthday greeting and then yesterday afternoon she texted saying, "You're getting lots of love on Instagram." That was her hint that I needed to look at Instagram. She had posted a cute picture of us from last weekend and a really sweet message. I love that girl!

We're lucky to have such thoughtful kids. Which is probably why we spend so much time thinking about packages to send them. At least that's MY justification.

Your daughter sounds so sweet!

 

[IDoDis]

I haven't sent my DD a care package yet! She's only 30 minutes away, so it seems unnecessary. Although it would probably be fun for her to get something in the mail at her dorm besides books from Amazon! We got a letter in the mail pushing final exam care packages which consists basically of candy bars, protein bars, and high carb snacks. I'd like to do something a little more creative. I told DD about the plastic pumpkin idea because she wanted to send something to her bf, so I can't do that one. If there are any cute Thanksgiving or Christmas ideas floating around, please post them.

In my quest with researching more scholarship opportunities for students who are already in college, I came across a good one that might interest STEM majors, but it won't work for DD. It seems like a wonderful opportunity for kids who wouldn't mind working for the DoD for 3 or so years as a civilian after graduation, so I wanted to share the info.

http://smart.asee.org

 

[sk!mom]

DD got her pumpkin yesterday. She loved it. My nephew should get his tomorrow or Tuesday.

Thanks for the great idea!

 

[coinkc]

My daughter came home this weekend for Fall break! It was so great to hug her! We had a great time and she got to see most of her aunts and uncles and cousins. She also got to be there when my sister announced she is pregnant so that was fun.

She left last night and I miss her already! Can't wait till Thanksgiving to see her again!!!

On a really sad note - she did find out yesterday morning that another student whom she knew in passing (not really friends but she knew who he was) died Saturday night. He was hit by a car in their college town. I can't imagine what his parents are going through right now... This is the second student to die this year from her school - the other was studying abroad when she died. Very, very sad.

 

[sk!mom]

So sad to hear of student's passing. A parent's worst nightmare and the source of some anxiety- that somehow they are less safe from even accidents without our watchfulness. Even though my DD has been driving for over 2 years and has been allowed a great deal of independence. DD texted me this morning, "for some reason I really miss you today." I'm normally jokey so I suggested that she just miss waking up to coffee ready. Then suggested that she could try my method for dealing with missing her- obsessively shopping for, packing, mailing, and planning care packages. Again, prayers for those families who have suffered loss.

 

[njmom47]

Prayers going out to all who have been affected by those losses.


It's been a long busy week, I see.

We (dd#2, dh and me) went to watch ds play baseball today, then took him out
for a late birthday lunch. It was almost like an awkward first date. We really didn't have much to say....thank goodness for dd#2 being with us. She seemed to bridge the gap a little bit. He was so fresh and cocky, I was a little hurt and very mad at him. What happened to my sweet loving son?
(I know...it's called "independence" although that doesn't give him the right to be mean)

 

[sk!mom]

We (dd#2, dh and me) went to watch ds play baseball today, then took him out
for a late birthday lunch. It was almost like an awkward first date. We really didn't have much to say....thank goodness for dd#2 being with us. She seemed to bridge the gap a little bit. He was so fresh and cocky, I was a little hurt and very mad at him. What happened to my sweet loving son?
(I know...it's called "independence" although that doesn't give him the right to be mean)

I felt the same way at some points of Parent's Weekend. I said to DH several times that I kind of felt like we were intruding. That's why I liked her visit home so much better. At home things were relaxed and easy.

We won't see her again until Thanksgiving and were traveling together to visit family.

 

[njmom47]

I felt the same way at some points of Parent's Weekend. I said to DH several times that I kind of felt like we were intruding. That's why I liked her visit home so much better. At home things were relaxed and easy.

We won't see her again until Thanksgiving and were traveling together to visit family.

He has another game this coming weekend, and it's away. He seemed to think we wouldn't travel to this other school (about the same distance as his school from our house). But after that, we won't see him till Thanksgiving. When he comes home on the weekends, we rarely see him anyway. I wonder if his ego is just that big now...he said he was the subject of a YikYak at his school.