Need to Know: Stocking Your Child’s Dorm Room

When stocking your child’s dorm room, ask yourself the following questions:

Does your child already have the basics?
If you answer no, then when stocking your child’s dorm room, getting them things like dishes, shower towels, food, etc. are a great choice. When your child moves into a dorm, even a furnished one, they need their own linens, electronics, etc. So, help them get the basics they need to live on their own, and stock their dorm room with any and everything they need for success. If your kid only has one set of dishes, they may start eating like crap because they do not have the time or energy to wash their dishes. So, instead of a healthy meal, they turn to a bag of chips and a can of Dr. Pepper.

What does your child like to do for fun?
Your child is off at school, and you are no longer there to supervise. One of the best ways to stock their dorm room, and give your child some constructive ways to spend their time, is to provide them with some of the things they like to do for fun. For example, if your child loves to go out to eat, send them a gift card for their favorite restaurant each month. When you come to visit, bring them board games, card games, books, movies, music, or other things that give them fun activities to do. Help make their dorm room more enjoyable. Other ways to do this is just by getting them some of the gadgets that help with that. For example, an iPod dock may help them enjoy their music more. A television may give them something to do in their room.

What does your child need for school?
When stocking your child’s dorm room, do not forget the basic school supplies. It is amazing how much pens, highlighters, paperclips, notebooks, computer memory sticks, software, a laptop, laptop bag, etc. can come in handy. Providing your kid with ink cartridges and paper means they are not going to run out and be stressed because their printer is out of ink five minutes before their assignment is due. So, as you stock your child’s dorm room, think about what kinds of things they will need for classes, and how to help them be as successful as possible.

What is your child eating?
When stocking your child’s dorm room, a good place to start is their kitchen area. Most college kids start to eat a lot of junk because that is easier than preparing real meals. So, give your kid some easy to prepare, healthy meals. If you live close enough, then make them meals, and provide them with individually portioned food.

Continue to help keep your child’s dorm stocked by sending them care packages with food, gift cards, school supplies, etc. throughout the year. This can help your child stay eating healthy, and getting good grades.