I still remember all the excitement and sadness I felt sending each of our three children off to kindergarten. With their backpacks stuffed full of new school supplies, I took the traditional first day of school pictures on our front porch and then cried as I drove off to work. I had all the emotions.
Now over a decade later, finished with their high school years, I recently took not one, but two of my sons off to college, in two different states, and get this…In. The. Same. Week.
Helping a child move out can feel overwhelming and emotional. I have some tips to make it less stressful, so you can enjoy the final days you spend together under one roof.
Getting Started
First, start early. As with any move, the earlier you start, the better. There will be lots of last-minute tasks and final goodbyes with friends and family to fit in, you don’t want to feel rushed.
Go through clothing ahead of time. Weed-out items that no longer fit, aren’t the right style or need repair. This way you know which clothes will make the cut- one less decision that you have to make later when you are
packing up.
Many colleges provide a list of helpful things for the new student to pack. Check out the list early.
Buying everything brand new can be expensive. Don’t forget to check with family members, thrift shops, dollar stores, and Facebook Buy Nothing or Freecycle groups when “ISO” In Search Of extra blankets, towels, lamps, kitchen items or furniture (if you are furnishing an apartment).
Packing
You need to be strategic when packing all the stuff that’s heading to the dorm or new apartment, or it might not all fit in the car. I suggest using the jumbo Ziplock bags for all bedding, towels, and bulky soft things, like sweatpants and hoodies. Once the bed is made and these clear bags are empty, they can store any items that aren’t needed regularly.
Use a hamper to pack socks, underwear, and clothing that will go into drawers. It’s easier to unpack than a suitcase that needs to have space to be opened. Once unloaded, use it for storing dirty clothes (and transporting them to the laundry) during the semester.
Maximizing Storage Space
Dorms and apartments are infamous for having little storage space, so you might consider leaving most of the off-season clothing at home, for now. During the next holiday break, clothing can be swapped for the next season. To squeak out more storage, consider using bed risers so there is more room for under-the-bed storage containers.
Under the Bed Storage Containers
If you need extra room stackable plastic bins are versatile. They can be used in a closet for added shoe storage, under hanging clothes or in a small space beside a bed.
Skywin Plastic Stackable Containers
Conclusion
While it might be hard for us to see our children, the ones who can hardly make their dirty clothes find their way into the hamper, head out on their own, it is time we see them fly the coop and hit this milestone in lives. It’s time to give them the best send-off we can.
I was sad as I left each boy and cried on the quiet car ride home, as I thought about childhood being over, but I also felt excited about all the experiences that were coming their way, friends they would meet, and memories they would make as they ventured out on their own.
