Inventory - a time to bond

Monday's post, titled "Whatcha got there?" discussed the importance of creating an inventory of the items your college students are taking with them to campus for the school year. Important and helpful information, obviously.  But taking the time to compile a personal property inventory does more than just record your/their belongings. Believe it or not, it provides an opportunity for some bonding time.

I remember the year our oldest son was preparing for his first year of college. The last few months of high school and that following summer were exciting, scary (fear of the unknown), happy, sad, happy/sad - all kinds of mixed up emotions. For me, not him!

I wish I had known then how important it was to have an inventory. What a great excuse to grab an hour or so of uninterrupted time with him! And I can imagine how much easier it would have been to let go by going through this process. Slowly, as we listed each item, counted the CDs, took pictures, it would have been quite therapeutic for me. Letting go - one item at a time - would have symbolized his footsteps out the door. Never to return the same person he was that day. Something to cherish!