how long should it take to unpack?

I promise myself that I will not succumb to my son’s description of me as a nagger.  At least not right away.  So I consciously decide not to say a word about his unpacking. 

At 10:30 Saturday night, my son arrives home, neatly packed with one large duffel bag, one smaller one, and a backpack.  He drops his stuff in the living room. 

SUNDAY:  Day 1

I wake up late Sunday morning and nothing has changed, except the bags are now open.

MONDAY: Day 2

Sunday Alexander has a friend over, so without my asking, he moves everything to his small bedroom.  He is now living out of his suitcases.  By Monday morning nothing has changed. 

Some progress is made by Monday evening. Two dress shirts have been removed and actually hung up.  A pair of shorts is unpacked, but only gets as far as his chair.  One tie makes it to the floor, on top of a pair of sandals.

TUESDAY: Day 3

This morning I see that that his chair has accumulated some additional clothing:  a pair of khakis and and a pair of jeans. 

Alexander finally gets up around 11.  He has a leisurely breakfast while watching Silver Linings Playbook, again.  

And then it happens.  All on its own.  No prodding from me.  Alexander decides it’s time.  He unpacks everything, and then very reluctantly lets me take a final photo of him with his unpacked bag.

Three days.  Not bad at all.  Hey, maybe this strategy of not-reminding could work.