Packing them off to Uni

[LJS666]

I'm (mentally) in packing overdrive and saying to my son.

Do you need a laptop?
What stationery do you need?
Do you want a lamp?
Do you want a dressing gown?
I've bought you new bedding, do you like it? Do you want more?
What's your underwear situation, do you need new stuff?
Do you have a reading list, shall we buy the books now?

He's yawning and ignoring me and it's driving me mad. I'm desperate to tick off a list and make sure he has everything required.

Then I asked him did he want me to drive him there and help him set up.

It's Aberystwyth and we're in London - I would be driving him on my own and the thought fills me with horror.

He laughed and said he'd get the coach so that girls would feel sorry for him and he might get a girlfriend quicker.

Would I be a bad mum if I let him go alone on the coach? He's been all over Europe with his mate and always comes back in one piece but it feels so uncaring.

I remember my Mum begging me for weeks to let her show me how to use the washing machine before I went to Uni. I ignored her and thought she was a silly old trout. Of course I simply read the instructions at the launderette when I got there.

My mum told me that he was saying to her what a great mum he thought I had been.

Wonder if she paid him?

Actually, we are both realising that it's the end of an era and chatting and laughing together a lot more. Feels rather poignant, especially when I think back over how many times he has driven me nuts (and vice versa).

He has said he will miss chatting to me but will not miss me "barging into his room at 9am". By which he means 11.30am.

That Student Room Packing List was definitely written by a girl!!

I'm not sure I have most of those things in my house!

Mine is already at art college. He packed laptop, duvet, bowl and pillow in a rucksack and departed by train whilst we were on holiday.

Prior to his departure, it appears that there was a seven-day uninterrupted party at our house, attended by all but 2 of the teenagers in our large market town, judging by the number of towels I washed on my return and the mountain of beer cans, etc, etc in the kitchen... bathrooom....bedroom cupboard....) Lucky he was away as dh almost burst a blood vessel.

We're taking the rest of the really important stuff to college (music mixer, x-box, noodle bowl...) on Monday by car as he's returning home briefly for the Reading Festival.

One of mine had a party like that last year Rolla. Came home from holiday to red wine in the tea caddy and strange brown marks on the ceiling The recycling was unbelievable. Bless 'em.

Ours had a party like that at Easter. Hundreds of empties, nothing in its right place in any room of the house. Son's iPod stolen and my best winter scarf gone too. The iPod came back in the end, but not my scarf...

Heh, I live in Aber. I don't envy anyone that has to drive here from London. =S

The shops here aren't too bad, so I reckon he could buy anything he's forgotten.

Whwn DD2 started uni last year thier was a facebook group set up ny the stusents that were going to be in her halls and she found out what some of them were taking. I didn't pack for either DD1 or 2 but did buy them some stuff. We didn't get either of them an iron tpaster or kettle as they found out that others were bringing these, DD1's had a list of what would be provided at the halls, She was actually advised not to bring an iron.toaster or kettle for the above reason, I did get some basic crockery and utensils and a couple of suacepans, Bedding and hangers, They do need a laptop at uni. They sorted out thier own clothes and toiletries. When we took DD2 up to Kingston( we are in Cardiff) we did do a small food shop with her to help her out for the first few days,

Eons ago I managed to pack all by myself and caught the train to university. Didn't go perfectly though, as I got out of the cab at my new digs a zip came undone and a massive box of enough tampons to last the whole term burst all over the road...

Just looked at the student room packing list.
DD1 or 2 did not take any of the electrical iitems. DD1 did think about mimi fridge but was not allowed in hewr halls. The other stuff was being brought by others. Didn't need all the other Kitchen equipment either. What they didn't have they just bought cheaply at wilkersons or Tesco. D2 didn't have a game consule was not interested in playing Games. Some halls probide the computer cables with the introduction pack so find out before buying one.

He will have a great time in Aber - I went there and loved it although I am ancient and went a very long time ago.
No need to be able to speak Welsh, though no doubt he will pick a bit up.
He will be able to buy anything he wants there, it is quite civilised!
Bear in mind, if you do drive him there, he will want you out of the way asap to get on with Freshers Week (if they still have that these days)

We are driving 300 miles next month to take DS2 to Uni. He will be in catered accomodation (no choice where he applied) and I have to admit that I rang the Uni the other day to ask what exactly a "kitchenette" was that he would have access to. Turns out it has a hob and microwave but no oven so he won't need those lovely oven gloves I'd bought eons ago when I saw them.

We booked a B & B and will stay overnight as we don't fancy driving 600 miles in one day to drop him at Uni.

I also suggest MNs you take the advice of a friend of mine. Go into the communal kitchen once when you arrive and never go in again. It will stop you sleeping.

One more thing, my friend sneaked a small overstuffed envelope into her DS's suitcase. When they arrived at Uni and were unpacking she told him it was for emergencies. He excitedly opened it in front of her thinking it was money but it turned out to be.........condoms.