Advice for a Frustated Dad Please.

Dad,

First, congratulations. After reading your background and ups/downs with DS, you and I sound very similar in background. I will chime in here, while signing is a relief, let me add some history of my DS as well.

Even more frustrating and concerning for me over the past three years are the lows. At times I wondered, did he make the right decision? As with any college and military experience, there will be periods of time where your child will fail and not progress in their major or OML as you had hoped. You know your child better than anyone over the past 18+ years and you know what they are capable of and what their weaknesses are. My son and I are a lot alike, and so I know what to watch out for: procrastination, distraction and intermittent laziness. I however, did not have an iPhone, social media nor endless video coming at me thru way too many screens throughout my day. So, occasionally, not daily nor weekly, I would ask "how are things going, what are you doing, how far are you behind and tell me more about..." to try and keep him talking and on task. Some of this was self-serving of course, it did help my anxiety as his dad.

While my son wasn't the best in his high school, not much of an athlete, he was better than most and like me suffered from distractionitis. He far more than I due to his multiple toys, one you mention you bought your son. We at times had "knock down, drag outs" regarding his studies. Some how, Navy wanted him and like your son, waited until the last few days to accept vs going to a southern ivy that I'm fond of. He wanted to major in ME, whew! I knew he would struggle.

Fast forward through three years and I will mention: there will be moments that give you pause, phone calls of DS tearing up regarding "putting my all and barely making a freaking C!" Or, "I hate this class" and "they just don't like me!" I thank God these are few and far between. As I look back, I can think of moments, like him where I made a C (or worse), hated classes and well, far well knew that some in my Battalion did not care for my mediocrity.

I told my son, over and over: "your greatest chance of success will be at Navy, your greatest chance for failure will be at Vandy," so consider this while making your decision. Now going into his senior year, that statement hold so true. Again, he has not been the best student, not the top 1/2 on the OML and still tells me of some who "just don't care for me." But last weeks call regarding the flight exams, 7/7/7 kinda just makes me ga-ga as a Dad, knowing that he is probably headed toward aviation in some fashion.

Again, congratulations, enjoy the moments, because there are so many waiting to happen and don't get too caught up into the lows. I have learned he needs to take a few punches to be a better boxer!
 
Great story SandNNW, love to hear that your son is getting to his dream!
I have no doubt there will be plenty of highs and lows for my son, the biggest test of his character is coming at him fast. I can't wait to see him rise to the challenge!
 
CGA is a small school. The friends (new brothers and sisters) that I lived with have been close since day 1 til 30 yrs plus. In fact those whom did not graduate, are still great members of the Great class of 1982. I wouldn't trade it for anything!
 
Well, it is done, he decided today....
He accepted his appointment and signed the acceptance form.
We dropped it off at the post office today, what a proud dad.
He signed it with a big smile on his face!
Afterwards when we were walking outside, I stopped and "eye to eye" asked him, are you sure?
Again with a big smile, he said signing the acceptance felt "right".
So there ya go, you all got to go through the ups and downs with my family and my DS.
Hope it helped you, I know it helped me to air it all out on here.
For the first time I can say "GO BEARS!!"
Congratulations!
 
Great story SandNNW, love to hear that your son is getting to his dream!
I have no doubt there will be plenty of highs and lows for my son, the biggest test of his character is coming at him fast. I can't wait to see him rise to the challenge!
Congratulations F15DOC. Job well done to both you and your son. You supported him when he needed it and I believe that he made the best choice, but I am certainly biased. I have a son that will be a firstie next year and my youngest DS will be starting swab summer on June 27th along with your DS.
The very first letter that I received from my older DS during his swab summer said that so far swab summer was not enjoyable, but it was certainly doable. Honestly, that was music to my ears. He understood that they would be torn down in order to be built back up again. He also understood that he was not there to do it alone. In order to survive they needed to rely on each other. The bonds that he formed with his fellow swabs during those first 7 weeks are stronger now than ever. Flash forward to swab summer last year and my DS was cadre to the class of 2019.
As you may be well aware, every experience that a CGA swab/cadet has is part of an overall plan. There is a reason for everything and tell your DS to trust the process. He will have his ups and downs, but he is not alone.
I couldn't be happier for your DS, he is embarking on a journey that only a few hundred young men and women will have the honor to experience each year. He is also now part of a very unique family, a family that I am proud and honored to be a part of along with my sons and husband.
 
Congratulations F15DOC. Job well done to both you and your son. You supported him when he needed it and I believe that he made the best choice, but I am certainly biased. I have a son that will be a firstie next year and my youngest DS will be starting swab summer on June 27th along with your DS.
The very first letter that I received from my older DS during his swab summer said that so far swab summer was not enjoyable, but it was certainly doable. Honestly, that was music to my ears. He understood that they would be torn down in order to be built back up again. He also understood that he was not there to do it alone. In order to survive they needed to rely on each other. The bonds that he formed with his fellow swabs during those first 7 weeks are stronger now than ever. Flash forward to swab summer last year and my DS was cadre to the class of 2019.
As you may be well aware, every experience that a CGA swab/cadet has is part of an overall plan. There is a reason for everything and tell your DS to trust the process. He will have his ups and downs, but he is not alone.
I couldn't be happier for your DS, he is embarking on a journey that only a few hundred young men and women will have the honor to experience each year. He is also now part of a very unique family, a family that I am proud and honored to be a part of along with my sons and husband.
Totally agree..We too will see you in June....
 
Back
Top