To ask what emergency supplies you send with your DC when they start uni?

[EmptyNesterSoon]

DD2 is off to uni in a fortnight.

When DD1 went I put together a small storage crate full of chemist items, first aid stuff, cough and cold remedies (lucky I did as she was really laid low with freshers' flu within a week of arrival). Emergency hangover kit - long life vegetable and fruit juices like V8, long life milk and breakfast bars so she could lie in bed and restore herself. Homesickness treats - fluffy socks and lots of chocolate and a cuddly toy.
And a few more serious items like drink spike test strips.

When DD's friend went to uni last year I did similar for her too as she has lost her Mum.

Now it is DD2's turn, so I made a start today in Boots with extra advice from a helpful chap on the pharmacy till.

Just wondering if others do this too and if so what items do you put in?

@PlanDeRaccordement

Wow I must be terrible mother. All I did was get them a credit card in their name as an authorised user on my account. That way they can buy anything they need in an emergency. Stuff, plane tickets, hotel, etc.

I think if I did that I wouldn’t sleep worrying I’d wake up to a huge bill!

Two DDs went off to uni, youngest is going into her 3rd year.

We made a first aid and first care kit as you are doing.

We gave each a small tool kit: screwdrivers, stubby hammer, pliers, precision screwdrivers, stanley knife, tape measure, sewing kit.

I made each a 'rainy day' box. Full of things to do when bored with no money: cookie mixes which didnt require any additional ingredients just water, instant jelly mixes, puzzle books, balloons, origami books & paper, felt tip pens and colouring in pencils.

@lurkermum

I Didn’t send my ds with anything.. have transferred plenty of cash over the years. But now starting to realise that I am an awful mother after reading how much effort you all make.

Mine was guilt I think - my dad ditched me and horse at uni and waved bye (agricultural college) so I had suitcase in one hand and horse in the other

Door wedge.

A door stop to wedge their door open, so they can meet their new flatmates. Cake/biscuits/drinks to share as they get to know each other. Bottle opener!

Flavabobble

…. and a cushion I'd had printed with photos of our then kittens”

🤣
(Assuming your motive was mine)
Did it have the desired effect, did he come gone to visit them (so by default you) ?

@elephantoverthehill

Door wedge.

Cross post!

How about some cleaning stuff like anti-bac spray or wipes and hand sanitiser.

The sort of thing she'll need but won't want to spend money on

Parcels are lovely to get after the first few weeks of student loan having been spent! I went home most weekends for my mum to do my laundry but she used to send me back with things like home made spagbol or new shampoo etc

suitcase in one hand and horse in the other

Brilliant!!

Berocca dissolvable vitamin tablets.

He was proud to bring the box back untouched at the end of his first year

Condoms or femidoms..

Bottle of fizzy and bottle opener, some chocolate.

When DD's friend went to uni last year I did similar for her too as she has lost her Mum.

That's a lovely thing you did there op

If this is the first time you have a child going to uni, have you found wiwikau (what I wish I knew about university) on Facebook
Loads of packing and important tips on there.

PlanDeRaccordement

Wow I must be terrible mother. All I did was get them a credit card in their name as an authorised user on my account. That way they can buy anything they need in an emergency. Stuff, plane tickets, hotel, etc.“

Of course you’re not. I think most students would be delighted with that!

But (grammar!) this year’s undergraduates are, I think, exceptional.
They for the most part haven’t enjoyed the formative years that their predecessors did, be that at Sixth Form at school, studying for an apprenticeship or at Colleges. They have been restricted in ways that they should not have been. Many have still never been to a pub, not had to shop, not had a romantic relationship, etc. because of the exceptional times they are living in. Some, like our youngest, have seen no people other than their household for 18 months.
In these very particular circumstances, little, thoughtful and personal touches and links to home are so much more meaningful than I imagine they’ve been in many, many decades.

All people are different but my ds balked at anything I wanted to send! I insisted on meds, shower shoes, a fan. I saved anything remotely “cosy” like for his first care package.

Decent quality cooking stuff - especially pans and knives - drinks size fridge
Basic first aid kit
Staple goods eg herbs spices sauces tinned stuff pasta etc
Towels - washing powder - fabric conditioner
Toiletries and cleaning products

My kids aren’t uni age yet but when I went, my mum sent me with a big chocolate cake :-) im still best friends with one of the girls I bonded with over that cake 🎂

My DD1 has just finished uni . She lived at home for the first 3 years so didn’t require anything . She lived in halls for the final 2 years and I gave her a box with panadol/ nurofen , Imodium for diarrhoea , Motilium for vomiting and plasters . The box was never used . She’s a dr now and has a very no nonsense approach to illness.
DD2 is going into 2nd year at uni . Lives away from home . I sent her off with a box of painkillers , Imodium , Motilium , her asthma inhalers , plasters etc with written instructions re what everything was for and advice not to give to others in case they had a reaction etc to them . Also bandages and ice packs as she’s a performer .
Needless to say the advice about giving drugs to others was ignored and it was shared with everyone 🤣🤣
In DD2’s case I put a little note in re first aid for minor illnesses and injuries . She found this v useful .

When it comes to food ,both my dds like to cook from scratch . However , I advised keeping a supply of pasta , pesto , ready made pasta sauce in case they were ever ill or had to self isolate etc and could not get to shops .
Also advised keeping a supply of 7up / crackers in case of being stuck home alone with a stomach bug etc .
They laughed at the time but dd1 was glad as she had food poisoning one weekend when her flatmates were away and it was a life saver

Those saying door wedge - my DS took one after I saw it suggested on here. It was on his bookshelf during a room inspection and he was told off for having it as they're not allowed to be used due to fire doors. (His halls were only 2 years old so I assume they've got auto door closers on for fire safety).

@NotMyCat

Parcels after she arrives are the best as well My mum used to send me random post like perfume samples, a nail polish, face mask, sweets, a book or magazine, posh shower gel, supermarket vouchers....

My mum used send my brother chocolate bars wrapped in new pants and socks

I also had a few calls asking how to make “ mums curries etc” so I wrote out and laminated a few recipes for reference 🤣

Also my dd has a credit card in my account for emergencies plus an Uber account . It’s never abused