WHAT’s in the box?
Just kidding, but on a more serious note.
It’s happening! The kiddo is heading off to college soon and I’m now admitting that I’m in a bit of a mini-manic-panic-mama-vortex.
There’s so much to do! The Amazon and UPS delivery drivers have been dropping packages off like it’s Christmas. It’s not though, it’s July and I’m full tilt. I’m a planner. Trying to think about how to best prepare and set up LP’s dorm room. How are we going to get it all to the school. She’s going to be so far away.
I’m so excited for her. Yes, excited, nervous, scared, happy, sad, hopeful… so yeah all the emotions. This will be her first time really being away from home for more than just a week or so at summer camp, or a weekend trip with friends.
And I know she’s going to be extremely busy, and ready to be on her own and have some space. The phone calls and texts won’t happen as much as I’d like, and that’s ok. I’m prepared.
And I know she’ll probably a little overwhelmed at times. She’ll be a bit bull headed and will want to navigate things on her own. It’s to be expected. It’s part of growing up and becoming an adult. I think the kids call it “adulting.”
HOWEVER, I want her to know that no matter what, I’m always available. She can always call or text or send me some sort of mental vibe, and I’ll know it’s her, thinking about me.
But for those times when she doesn’t call or can’t text – I’m going to be one step ahead of her.
I saw a few ideas on Pinterest about having a small box of letters, notes, and little gifts, for her to open as needed. And it got me thinking about how I would tailor make a few “open this letter when…” ideas.
So here’s what I’m thinking.
I want to get them done in the next few weeks and have it all in a little keepsake box. I’ll give it to her when we say goodbye, so she’ll have it on her first night in the dorm. And so, every so often, she’ll have little notes, letters, tiny packages of just because items, all ready for her! I’m a bit of a prepper I suppose.
Notes and small gift ideas:
- First night in the dorm – “Welcome home! ” I’m going to keep this one upbeat, she already knows I’ll probably cry a bit during the first week she’s not at home with us. Mostly happy tears though. I’m so proud of her.
- ” Rush week” note. She’s rushing and hopes to get into a sorority. So this will just be a note to say whatever happens, it’s ok either way.
- “When the cafeteria isn’t doing it for you” – I cook a lot, so I’ll make a “pot roast coupon” and let her know that I’ll make pot roast when she comes home for Christmas.
- “Are you skipping class today?” – There will be a short note for when she wants to skip a class- with a reminder to get going to class and grab some Starbucks on her way!
- “How was that test?” – If she’s struggling in a class or doesn’t do well on a test- another note just to remind her that failing, it’s part of the learning process. I know she’s probably not going to message me about every single grade she gets, whether it’s good or bad.
- “Best day ever!” – I’ll have a little note for when she’s having her BEST day… decorate with some gold stars.
- “So you had a BAD day….” -just a note for just to remind her I love her because those will probably happen too.
- “First day of fall.” – She’ll be where the leaves actually change! Just a little sticky note to remind her to snap a photo of her in the quad for me!
- “Is that snow?” – For the first snow day I’ll pack hot cocoa, and remind her to put on socks.
- “Not feeling well?” – A note for when she’s feeling sick, to remind her to get some rest and drink an LMNT and stay hydrated.
- “First day of Spring.” – I might paint a small watercolor of flowers for her.
- A “just because” letter – maybe she’s bored, or homesick, feeling lonely, or overwhelmed… just a letter to remind her that it’s all part of life and that she’s got this.
- There will be a “letter from dad,” which will probably have some inside jokes.
- I’ll pack a perfume sample or two and a lip gloss and mints, for a “first date” kit.
- A little package for a “rainy day”… which will have a few teabags and reminder to actually wear her rain boots to class.
- “the 2am note”- for that night when she just can’t get to sleep, and probably wishes we could go on a night drive.
- A letter for “second semester” – Just some encouragement and congrats for getting through the first semester
- a photo from her bedroom at home. reminding her she always has a place here with us whenever she needs it.
- A few little random packages in little boxes, tied up with string. A few things that she might say WTF, or WHY THIS? which will hopefully give her a laugh or a smile, we have an inside joke about acorns.
- “Need a little luck?” – a little ladybug trinket
- “Feeling lonely?” – a small toy animal, since she can’t have an actual pet on campus.
- an easter egg with the word STRESSED on it, with a note inside that says, “Can I offer you a nice egg in this trying time.” inside joke that she’ll definitely get.
- And a note from the pugs…
So I’ll have each note in an envelope. some with dates to be opened specifically, and others with a prompt, for the times when she needs them the most.
OH,, and a few trinket boxes, with tags just to have some fun with it!
That’s just a few of the ideas that I’m thinking about doing.
They won’t be Hemingway novels, just a little handwritten note, or a little envelope with a little surprise, so she has a little piece of home there whenever she needs it.
If you have any other ideas – drop them in the comments below!