This nest, it is empty?

August 22, 2005 9:59 AM

My parents just dropped off my younger brother (and their youngest child) at college. What can my elder brother and I do for them to mark the occasion, short of ordering a gross of tissues for delivery to their Orlando-area home?
posted by piro to human relations (5 comments total)

My husband's sister goes off this week; while his dad hauls her across several states to school, his mom will be staying behind for professional reasons. My hubby is going to drop in for a surprise visit to take her out to dinner, cause this will be the final emptying of the nest.

If neither of you are near enugh to go and visit your folks, maybe you could arrange to have something nice and special delivered to them. Like a fancy schmancy catering package, or even your own "care package" via FedEx. It could include tickets to a movie*, a sporting event or a concert/performance of some kind that they'd enjoy -- soemthing to get them out of the house and distract them with pleasant entertainment.

* Fandango should allow you to arrange for movie tickets long-distance. For sporting events/performances, you could buy the tickets via CC# and have your parents pick them up at Will Call.
posted by junkbox at 10:49 AM on August 22, 2005

Have you checked to see if they've already booked an around the world tour by cruise ship?

If not, here are some suggestions:

1) A phone card and threats of harm to your little brother to call your parents early Saturday morning so your mother knows he isn't passed out in a frat house.

2) If possible a really nice framed photo of your younger brother somewhere on campus so they can look at him in his new habitat.

3) Offer to come help your mom set up that hobby room she always wanted. (Added bonus: by eliminating his room you get your brother back for that thing he did when he was ten.)

4) Have three bricks inscribed with your "nest leaving" dates. Plant them in the walk by the garden.

5) Help them do that "thing" they always wanted to do. Only you know what it is.

6) Take out an ad in the local paper congratulating your parents for that damn fine job they did with you three.
posted by ?! at 4:48 PM on August 22, 2005

As a parent of a new college student myself. I think something to get the parents at of the house and doing something is the best thing. (Get them back into a social hobby, theater tickets, etc.)
posted by Doohickie at 6:51 PM on August 22, 2005

Sex toys. The kids are finally all gone. Time to let loose twenty years of lust.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:00 PM on August 22, 2005

5ff - YUCK!
posted by piro at 8:45 PM on August 22, 2005