At what could you pack your own bag(when going away on holidays)

[tofu]

My niece went to Europe last year (for her 22nd birthday) and my sister helped pack her bag. She even helped her shop for clothes.
Now my niece is coming to Sydney for a week(my sister, her mum) is coming, too.
My sister drove up to her place this afternoon(an hours drive) to help pack her bag.
My niece is studying (in third) year to be a school teacher and actually quite bright and intelligent.

I don't get it. I learnt to pack my bag(when we went away on holidays) when I was 13 and I generally got it right.

Do you think this is a little old for mum to pack your bag...(niece is a few month's off turning 23) and shares a unit with her friend?

I guess I am asking as my sister is always going on about her grown-up, mature daughter who has it altogether...

[chody47]

We didn't go away very often, but I do remember packing my own stuff when I was in high school!

[LionsandBears]

Why does it matter what your sister and niece do? If it works for them, who cares?

[tofu]

I guess I hate seeing my sister as a slave to her daughter...driving unnecessarily in the rain to pack a grown woman's bag.

[Calluna]

Yes she absolutely is old enough to pack her own luggage but if they both want to do it then whats the problem? Maybe its something they enjoy doing together, a bonding experience or sharing the excitement of going on a holiday. I dont see the harm in it,and unless one of them has told you or given the impression that its a problem then I would stay out of it as its not harming anyone.

I would assume your sister is also old enough to say no if she wants / needs to.

[Mumma T]

My guess is that it's an excuse to spend some time with her daughter, when my son was born my step mum made up plenty of reasons to come help "I'll do washing" or dishes or whatever else she could think of, of course she only really came to cuddle my son and only did a minute or 2 of helping.

Her girl has moved a distance away that she can't just pop in so maybe she feels she needs a reason to justify to herself and others

[MLR1901]

Maybe it's a bonding session more than a help packing.
If you ask your niece she'll prob say "oh mum just sits back, I pack."

[AnyDream]

I get it re Europe - part of that would be the excitement of preparations, etc. But interstate for a week? That's a bit odd. However, you did mention they're coming together, so maybe it was a similar thing - enjoying the anticipation of the trip by preparing for it together.

[Nai]

It sounds like maybe it's an excuse to spend some time together, go shopping etc. Sharing in the excitement of what to pack and all that. I remember going to Europe and having my best friend look over what I had packed to do a cull so my bag wouldn't be too heavy.

Having said that DD1 just packed for a couple of nights away at her Nanna's house all by herself - she's 7

[Cass72]

Still haven't gotten around to packing my own bag (let alone my own lunch)...... now DH does it for me! Oh, and I'm 41!!

On the other hand DH's kids pack their own bags when they come to stay with us and they suck at it. They turn up with unwashed clothes. Usually only one or two pairs of underwear. Nothing suitable for being seen in public with. And all this in a suitcase the size of a small island.