Label Personal Items?

marinermom

5-Year Member
Joined
May 19, 2011
Messages
31
Can a veteran mom advise on whether to label personal items? With everyone having the same exact items, how do the launderers keep everything in order? I still have yards of printed iron on names from "camp" days....
 
Do you know if we are allowed to embroider initials on towels and washcloths? Had already done that prior to acceptance, but don't want to send them if it's not allowed.
 
4 years ago, they put some combination of 1st initial?/last name/graduating class year/company number. So... as advised... wouldn't bother.

However, for years, you will get white athletic socks mixed up with the familys stuff. It brings a smile to my face when I take my socks off and notice his name & 11-4(th company) stenciled on 'em. It's been quite a ride:)

PS. whatever ink they use is amazing, and still going strong.
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BTW, Welcome MarinerMom .
 
Zonker

Thanks for confirming I am not crazy (or at least not the only one who is crazy). I just pulled a fresh towel out of the linen closet this morning and got a smile on my face when I saw the 13-4 stenciled on it. Time does zoom by. I would differ regarding labels before you report. I have heard several plebe candidates who got their bags dumped out and all their stuff mixed up shortly after reporting for indoc. It was very helpful that they had their stuff labeled. However, they do learn how to stencil all their stuff theevening of the first day of indoc.
 
Do NOT label

Definitely do not label. Some PC's have gotten a hard time b/c they came in with their stuff labeled. If you are worried about their bags being dumped, which can happen, pack everything in space bags or zip locks. If the bag is dumped they only have a few things to worry about grabbing.
 
Would definitely not send monogrammed towels, etc. They do not want anything to bring attention to themselves, so save that stuff for the upper years.
 
AH. Spacebags!!!!
BEST thing ever invented. Can't remember, but I think Jamzmom mentioned those when WE were first on here. (Bless her).

GREAT REMINDER. Also, they are great for packing for sea year (guys seem to pack lighter than gals... just an observation).

Anyway, *I*'d like a monogrammed towel:) I spell my name 'Z' :) grin
 
Defintely use the space bags and zip lock bags, makes packing easy and "yes" if dumped easy to pick up and re-pack. Agree would not recommend names/initials on anything. Also woud suggest you get in touch with your local parent association if you haven't already and attend the "Welcome Aboard". It's a great opportunity for you to meet parents and your PC to meet others from your area as well as hopefully meet some M/N who offer great advice. My DD was told to pack some "extra" things not on the list and she was glad she had them.
 
Space bags are great for packing all of the towels and socks that are pretty bulky. I remember looking at those pics from Indoc 4 years ago and still get a chuckle at some of the stencil jobs that the ink bled and ran some of the lettering together.
 
Just a word of warning on packing. Yes, at this stage they should be pretty independent. However, don't be afraid to be the "extra check." Our DS did his own shopping. Late the night before Indoc, when we were happily ensconced in our hotel, DS discovered that the socks he had purchased were youth-sized. Yes, those socks would not fit his 9 YO brother. DH was out at 6:30 the following morning at a CVS in Bayside, finding socks that would fit.:rolleyes:
 
Definitely check to be sure they have everything they need. As far as extra items...it doesn't hurt to have some extra socks and a couple of extra sets of underwear. A second pair of sneakers is helpful too since they are out in all kinds of weather and wet feet is a common occurrence.
 
Send cheap stuff to Indoc. Odds are you will need to replace much of it. DD lost all but one of her towels and wanted the underwear and T-shirts replaced soon after.

Duct tape. Tide-to-go pens (DD went through 3 of these by Parents Weekend once her friends discovered how well they worked). Safety pins. :thumb:
 
Continuing the suggestions, although a little bit afield from original question:
COPIES COPIES COPIES....

Copies of their paperwork...
Copies of drivers license and credit/debit cards and other banking cards...
Copies of passport info, of anything you can think of.
A nice folder/folio for DS to take with him.... with identical copy w/parents.

SOME (foresighted, not US) parents take a good pic of the kid, and get an enlargement... and have it around for those family times when the kid isn't there, but is 'present'(sorta) at birthday parties, cookouts(they will miss those a LOT), and other events. Best one I saw was parents who had their kid's pic on side of the grille with big juicy steaks cooking [ this may have been torture for the kid during indoc:) ... still, I thought it was brilliant ]
Get lots of pics of them smiling/laughing/doing fun things... you both will need to be reminded about that (during Indoc, during some of 'those' phonecalls home, etc)... They will be smiling and laughing plenty up there, it's just that PARENTS won't see 'em then, and that won't be the face you imagine during some of the phonecalls.

It is an experience like NO OTHER... And I admire every kid who has the gumption to test their mettle. Not all will make it, but every ONE of them will learn important things about themselves.
 
Don't send anything embroidered. Make sure that what you send agrees with the logging in, with the exception of sending a few more pair of undergarments than stated. :)

Just a little reminder to all the parents of 2015....your DS, DD is not heading off to summer camp. They are heading off to a most difficult 4 years at a Federal Service Academy. As some of us "seasoned" parents will tell you, buckle up for the ride.

I for one am happy that I made it to the end of the roller coaster ride without much drama or worry!
 
I recommend stenciling everything, in order to make sure they fit in well use the frilly setting on your sewing machine embroidery software and to make sure it doesn't get mixed up with any of the stuff the other three girls named "Muffy" in her sorority bring don't use her first name but instead use your favorite unique pet name between you and her. It will help her feel more at home and less likely to be homesick...

Oh wait a minute, wrong kid, wrong forum. Forget about stenciling, they'll be experts at that by the time you see them parents/acceptance day weekend. Agree with the above re: extra underwear. As for doing anything for them and double checking to the extent they tolerate you doing it sure, it's really more for your peace of mind than anything else, if they aren't asking for your help or input. After all I'd bet your kids are like ours was 3 years ago, really from this point forward he/she will solicit advice and input when they want it and otherwise embrace academy life to it's fullest which will include a relentless drive to be independent and stand on their own anyhow. Often forgetting that in the end we really can't help ourselves since they will always be "our kids".

As KPMOM2011 says buckle, up securely and enjoy the ride - USMMA and Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) - "America's Roller Coaster"...:thumb:
 
Thanks for all the replies, even the sarcastic ones! They are all appreciated. The reporting instructions certainly don't tell you everything. I read on another thread to reach out to the local parent's chapter and try to attend a Welcome Aboard meeting. Any suggestions on doing that other than emailing the President? I did that 2 days ago and haven't gotten a reply. And keep the tips coming... :)
 
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