• Welcome to Raising Teens Today!
  • About Me
  • Contact Nancy
  • Privacy Policy / Disclosure Page
  • Where You Can Find Me
Raising Teens Today
  • Home
  • Daily Life
    • Mom Life
    • Dad Life
    • Advice for Teenagers
    • Best Apps for Teens & Parents
    • Best Parenting Books/Podcasts/TED Talks
    • Best Teen Books/Movies/Podcasts/TED Talks
    • Birthday/Party ideas
    • Empty Nest Life
    • Holidays with Teens
    • Jobs/Internships
    • Parenting Quotes
    • Teen Activities/Fun/Family Life/Travel
    • Teen Bedrooms/DYI/Decor/Organization
    • Teen Driving/Tips/Safety
    • Teen Mental/Physical Health/Puberty
    • Trends/Fashion/Hairstyles
  • Parenting
    • Parenting Teenagers
    • Parenting Teen Boys
    • Parenting Teen Girls
    • Building Confidence in Your Teen
    • Cell Phone Rules/Etiquette/Social Media
    • Connecting/Communicating with Your Teen
    • Cyberbullying/Bullying/Online Safety
    • Disciplining Your Teen
    • Divorced/Single Parenting
    • Peer Pressure/Drugs/Vaping/Alcohol
    • Sex/Sexting
    • Teen Friendships/Drama
    • Teaching Life Lessons/Chores/Independence
    • Teen Attitude/Behavior/Moods
    • Teen Dating/Rules
  • School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • High School Seniors
    • High School Graduation
    • High School Graduation Party
    • Back-to-School Essentials/Organization
    • Grades/GPA
    • Finals/Study Hacks
    • Mental/Physical Health
    • Athletes
    • Prom/Homecoming
    • Parenting Tips/Advice
  • College
    • ACT/SAT/College Essay Tips
    • Best College Readiness Books
    • College Admissions
    • College Care Package Ideas
    • College Drop-Off/Move-In
    • College Freshman Tips
    • College Mental/Physical Health
    • College Parents Advice/Tips
    • College Success Tips
    • Dorm Essentials/Life/Decor
    • First College Apartment
    • Paying for College/Scholarships
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Lunch Ideas
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Snack Ideas
    • Beginner Cook Recipes
    • Drinks/Smoothies
    • Birthday Cakes/Baking
    • Charcuterie Boards
  • Gift Ideas
    • Teen Gift Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Holidays
    • Graduation
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
  • Free Resources
  • Shop

College Care Package: “Mom, I’m Sick!”

by Nancy Reynolds September 11, 2017
8K

I got the dreaded call last week…

My daughter, who’s a freshman in college, called to tell me she was sick – she had a sore throat, swollen glands, a cough and a low-grade fever. My girl sounded absolutely awful! Of course, my initial thought was to drop everything, hop in the car and drive the six and a half hours to be by her side.  The only thing stopping me? I knew it was coming…

My oldest daughter, now a sophomore in college, was sick her entire first semester of college.  When I say the entire first semester, I mean, there wasn’t one day in which she really felt healthy.

After doing everything I possibly could to help her long distance and having more than a few conversations with my kids’ pediatrician I learned something – the bottom line is, welcome to college.

Getting sick in college – especially the first year – is inevitable.  The new environment, kids packed in dorm rooms like sardines, late nights, lack of sleep, a “fabulous,” well-balanced diet filled with Mac n’ Cheese, Ramen Noodles and pizza (and possibly even a few beers thrown into the mix), sharing bathrooms, sharing food & drinks (and maybe even a few kisses), and the stress associated with the adjustment of college opens the door to a host of illnesses including colds, flu, sinus infections and Mono, to name a few.  Worse yet, when your child does get sick they don’t have any of the comforts of home to help them through it.

Plus, for most college freshman, it’s the first time they’ve ever had to manage their own health making the situation even more stressful and upsetting.  As a parent, nothing makes us feel more helpless than to have our kids sick when we’re not there to care for them.

As much as every parent  feels anguish over wanting to be there to care for their child when they’re sick, their vision of rushing to be by their child’s side equipped with warm soup, a cozy blanket and a basketful of medicine carefully chosen to ease every symptom may not  always be feasible, especially if getting to your child requires a lengthy car ride or a plane ticket.

If you’re the parent of multiple children in college, you’ve probably come face-to-face with the wrath of the college freshman germ frenzy and you most likely equipped your younger college children with every medicine known to man-kind in anticipation of the sickness storm — endless coughing, fevers, chills and late-night calls asking what they should do to feel better.

For those of you who are new to the college scene and haven’t been enlightened about how much college freshman love sharing germs, here’s an idea for a great college care package that you might want to drop in the mail before flu season hits. Of course, you know your child best and which goodies might be best to include.  Use this list as a launchpad to get your creative juices flowing and don’t forget to include a comforting note from mom!

“Mom, I’m Sick” Care Package
  • Pain Reliever
  • Fever Reducer
  • Nasal Decongestant
  • Cough Drops / Throat Lozenges
  • Cough Syrup
  • Nasal Spray
  • Daytime/Nighttime Cold Medicine
  • Vitamin C Tablets
  • Box of Tissues
  • Thermometer
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Subscription to Netflix
  • Cozy Throw
  • Fuzzy, Warm Socks or Slippers
  • Cozy PJ’s
  • Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Tea with a Cute Tea Cup
  • Magazines/Puzzles
  • A Good Book

Of course, with any medication – even over-the-counter medications – students should read labels thoroughly to ensure they take the proper dosage and determine what side effect may occur. They should also talk with their doctor or a pharmacist to determine if the medication will interact with any prescription medications they may be currently taking. If symptoms persist, they should always see a doctor.

Why Not Join Us?
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )
Join over 3.000 visitors who are receiving our newsletter and learn how to optimize your blog for search engines, find free traffic, and monetize your website.
RAISING TEENS TODAY is a resource and safe zone for parents to share the joys, challenges, triumphs and frustrations of raising our oh, so imperfect (but totally awesome) teens. PLUS, sign up and you'll receive my FREE e-Book "Scoring Scholarships!"
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
previous post
Arguing with Your Spouse? Try Getting More Sleep.
next post
Teen Boys: The Communication Barrier

You may also like

College Isn’t for Everyone: Helping Your Teen Choose...

Sorority Rush Blues: How to Help Your Disappointed...

Is Your Teen Using AI to Do Homework?...

Help Your Teen Study Smarter, Not Harder: 8...

The Best Advice If You’re Sending Your First...

22 Delicious Dorm Room Recipes (No Oven or...

Dorm Shopping on a Budget: 25 Tips to...

Should You Hire a College Admissions Consultant? 6...

College-Bound Kids, Remember… It’s Not Where You Start,...

The ACT: Powerful Tips to Help Your Teen...

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Yep… Totally Free!

Join Us

Become part of the Raising Teens Today community and you'll receive new posts delivered straight to your inbox!

Follow Us On Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • The Power of Inside Jokes and Random Memes: How to Bond with Your Teen Without ‘Big Talks’ 

  • Before You Lose It: Here’s the Real Reason Your Teen is Acting So Selfish

  • From Baby-Faced to Botox: The Anti-Aging Obsession Hitting Teens

  • 10 Things That Are Quietly Killing Your Teen’s Spirit

  • 32 Student Discounts Your Teen Probably Doesn’t Know About

  • For Teen Girls Who Want Something Real: 12 Friendship Tips That Matter

  • 10 Powerful Tips to Become Your Teen’s Secure Home Base

  • Teaching Your Teen to Clean Without Being Asked: A Survival Guide for Tired Moms

  • 18 Fun and Trendy Birthday Party Ideas for Teen Girls

  • Teen Boy Birthday Party Ideas (You Know…That Aren’t Cringe)

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright @2025 - Raising Teens Today. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy


Back To Top
Raising Teens Today
  • Home
  • Daily Life
    • Mom Life
    • Dad Life
    • Advice for Teenagers
    • Best Apps for Teens & Parents
    • Best Parenting Books/Podcasts/TED Talks
    • Best Teen Books/Movies/Podcasts/TED Talks
    • Birthday/Party ideas
    • Empty Nest Life
    • Holidays with Teens
    • Jobs/Internships
    • Parenting Quotes
    • Teen Activities/Fun/Family Life/Travel
    • Teen Bedrooms/DYI/Decor/Organization
    • Teen Driving/Tips/Safety
    • Teen Mental/Physical Health/Puberty
    • Trends/Fashion/Hairstyles
  • Parenting
    • Parenting Teenagers
    • Parenting Teen Boys
    • Parenting Teen Girls
    • Building Confidence in Your Teen
    • Cell Phone Rules/Etiquette/Social Media
    • Connecting/Communicating with Your Teen
    • Cyberbullying/Bullying/Online Safety
    • Disciplining Your Teen
    • Divorced/Single Parenting
    • Peer Pressure/Drugs/Vaping/Alcohol
    • Sex/Sexting
    • Teen Friendships/Drama
    • Teaching Life Lessons/Chores/Independence
    • Teen Attitude/Behavior/Moods
    • Teen Dating/Rules
  • School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • High School Seniors
    • High School Graduation
    • High School Graduation Party
    • Back-to-School Essentials/Organization
    • Grades/GPA
    • Finals/Study Hacks
    • Mental/Physical Health
    • Athletes
    • Prom/Homecoming
    • Parenting Tips/Advice
  • College
    • ACT/SAT/College Essay Tips
    • Best College Readiness Books
    • College Admissions
    • College Care Package Ideas
    • College Drop-Off/Move-In
    • College Freshman Tips
    • College Mental/Physical Health
    • College Parents Advice/Tips
    • College Success Tips
    • Dorm Essentials/Life/Decor
    • First College Apartment
    • Paying for College/Scholarships
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Lunch Ideas
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Snack Ideas
    • Beginner Cook Recipes
    • Drinks/Smoothies
    • Birthday Cakes/Baking
    • Charcuterie Boards
  • Gift Ideas
    • Teen Gift Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Holidays
    • Graduation
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
  • Free Resources
  • Shop