Emotions

crs_mom said:
It's good to hear that there are so many moms out there going through the same thing that I am ! Thank you for starting this post!
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My Husband and I share this log in code, and most of the time it's he that posts on here, but this time, I do feel compelled. I am so with all of you mom's!! I too supported my daughter through this whole process, and now that she is sitting on appointments to both USMA and USCGA, along with an AROTC scholarship, she is now turning down some wonderful offers from other colleges. The reality has set in that she is going military, and I find myself "tearing" alot. An overwhelming sense of pride, along with the reality that my daughter will be leaving me, and even though living in New Jersey, I will have the opportunity to see her more often then some of the other moms; I also realize that things will now be done on "military terms" rather than the way mom would like it. I know that she made this decision on her own. and in my heart, I know it is the right decision, however as a mom I will still have a difficult time letting go the end of June. I have in the past and will continue to find comfort through this and other boards. Thank you to all of you, and to all of our children, whatever path they are heading down ... God Speed.
 
mom3boys said:
If you want a facebook group for the parents in your class, start one...that is what 2013 did. You could let people know about it on the forums, and they could request to join and you could screen them then ok them into it. There are several wp groups of various interests, parents, classes, etc.
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Thanks for the advice. I did take some similar advice back in December to find Deb Dalton and her page on facebook page as well as looking for the parent clubs. I found a parents page and clicked on it to join and got a nasty response from the person in charge. I guess I was screened and didn't meet the admissions requirement! :confused:

I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes! I'm fairly new to the Facebook thing!

America's Finest said:
Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.west-point.org/parent/prospective-net/

http://www.west-point.org/parent/plebe-net/
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I guess they are! Thanks AF!
 
While those two groups are somewhat useful, the information isn't always up to date, like what Deb posts on West Point Parents on facebook. Also, some parents want a place to chat and get to know each other...again, those groups are not the place for it. See my PM.
 
The question I ALWAYS get is, "that's great, but how does Mom feel about that?". At first I was taken aback that it would be put so bluntly, but i get the same question EVERY time! My answer is pretty pat anymore. I tell them that I am sooooo proud to have a child who has had a desire to go through the rigors, both academically and physically, of the TOP school in the country since he was 9 years old. That it is an incredible feat to accomplish this goal that he has had for half his life. That I will not worry about where he will go after graduation until the time comes because until that time (or close to it) he will not know what division he will get into. I don't know what this world will be like in 4 years...a lot could change or not at all. That if we didn't have men and women like my Dad serving during WWII we would be speaking Japanese right now. That I am HONORED and PROUD to have a child willing to stand between "us" and the "big bad world".

That pretty much shuts them up:biggrin:

Congratulations to all of you who have raised a child with such strong morals and values and loyalty.
 
Kansas_West_Point_Mom said:
The question I ALWAYS get is, "that's great, but how does Mom feel about that?"
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I get that same question when I tell people my son wants to branch infantry and make the Army his career. It bothers me that they think I would/should tell my adult son what branch he should choose or how to run his life. I usually tell them that yes I will worry about him but I would rather he pursues his goals then settle for something he would not be happy with, just to ease my mind.
 
I have a different response

Not a mom, but if someone tried to play my heartstrings I would ask them: "How can you send your child to a party school to drink, smoke weed and party his way to a degree that might not even get him a job. I bet they don't even have 5:00 AM drug testing!" I truly believe that our cadets are in the safest college environment possible. So for the next four years, I can sleep easy.
 
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Loved the above comment.:smile: May have to use that reply. I share all the Mom's bittersweet reactions. While very very proud am also a bit anxious. Comments from other parents in community when they find out my daughter's decision are so mixed and varied....have heard it all! One thing I find interesting though is my daughter is not telling peers unless asked. She says the remarks from kids are often negative i.e. "Why would you want to go there?" etc She says adults are always congratulatory and positive but peers all tell her she is making a mistake. She brushes it off and simply says they have no idea.
 
WPMom - I'm curious what the reasoning is behind that. I know I encountered much of a similar reaction 25 years ago when I told people I was going to WP. Just a "why would you want to do that?" and "Wouldn't it be better to go in the AF instead?" And there wasn't even a war at the time.

Flash forward 25 years and my son has received nothing but positive encouragement from everyone - kids and adults (well, some cluelessness, but you tend to get that in WI being far from most military). I wonder if it's because of the AF vs. Army thing or because of the guy vs girl thing?! :confused:
 
I don't find it strange when people ask me why I would want to go West Point. It is by their own admission an incredibly difficult four years and now more than ever you are being put into dangerous situations when you graduate. Considering most if not all the kids going could get into other extremely prestigious colleges saying it is a great education hardly balances out what I previously mentioned. Plus you are going to lose your independence. The easiest way I can put it is I will belong to the government after June 28th. I won't be able to party during spring break in college or w/e else a civilian school offers. To me that is fine. I hope I'll enjoy the difficulty and everything that comes with it but come on. The majority of kids wanting that?
 
from a guys POV

MomWPgirl said:
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Loved the above comment.:smile: May have to use that reply. I share all the Mom's bittersweet reactions. While very very proud am also a bit anxious. Comments from other parents in community when they find out my daughter's decision are so mixed and varied....have heard it all! One thing I find interesting though is my daughter is not telling peers unless asked. She says the remarks from kids are often negative i.e. "Why would you want to go there?" etc She says adults are always congratulatory and positive but peers all tell her she is making a mistake. She brushes it off and simply says they have no idea.
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I'm a male junior in HS now, just beginning the SA application process. I get the exact same "you're signing your life away" and "you're too smart for the military." It's a dream I've had since the 7th grade, to attend a SA. The way I see it, upon graduation, I'm guaranteed a job, health insurance, etc. Also get to see the world possibly, on the govt $$.

Now I just have to get in.....
 
Marciemi:
Difficult to pinpoint the reasoning of her peers. I am equally confused. While I truly hate to generalize as their are many exceptions....I feel many of my daughter's generation of youth are more self absorbed, concerned with superficial ideals and the desire for immediate gratification. Their ability to look beyond themselves and tomorrow seems hampered a bit. They cant understand why she would give up "the best time of her life" as one girl put it. My daughter mentioned to me "their reasoning" is the exact reason she chose WP. Her values, ideals and work ethic are much more in line with the SA than the many other colleges she was recruited for. As for the girl vs boy thing....yea I do think that has something to do with it. The guys comments are much more positive.......i.e. "Very cool!!! I could never to it but think it is great you are." Most of the girls cant get beyond the uniforms. :confused:
 
Mom,
Congratulations, to you son and family. Take it one day, at a time. But by all means enjoy it and support him. It will be tough, but he has made a choice to be among the best and brightest, in this country. Which tells me, he probably could have gone to almost any school of his choosing. He will have to dedicate and commit himself the challenge, at hand.
Tell him, I say thank you for serving our country,
Good luck and God Speed,

RGK
 
Countdown!

I've been trying to prepare my new cadet and our family for the 'big day', but I must admit as we get closer, I'm having moments!

How are the rest of you dealing? Any advice?
 
I've been trying to prepare my new cadet and our family for the 'big day', but I must admit as we get closer, I'm having moments!

How are the rest of you dealing? Any advice?
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"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." Works for many situations!

Animal House:

Flounder: [crying] That's easy for you to say! What am I going to tell Fred?
Otter: I'll tell you what. We'll tell Fred you were doing a great job taking care of his car, but you parked it out back last night and this morning... it was gone. We report it as stolen to the police. D-Day takes care of the wreck. Your brother's insurance company buys him a new car.
Flounder: Will that work?
Otter: Hey, it's gotta work better than the truth.
Bluto: [thrusting six-pack into Flounder's hands] My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.
Otter: Better listen to him, Flounder, he's in pre-med.
D-Day: [firing up blow-torch] There you go now, just leave everything to me.


No really, I can't even begin to imagine all the emotions. But with all the tears, remember to laugh, laugh, laugh-those times are what you will remember most and draw comfort from:smile:.

Blessings to you and your family.
 
Lee2015 said:
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." Works for many situations!

Animal House:

Flounder: [crying] That's easy for you to say! What am I going to tell Fred?
Otter: I'll tell you what. We'll tell Fred you were doing a great job taking care of his car, but you parked it out back last night and this morning... it was gone. We report it as stolen to the police. D-Day takes care of the wreck. Your brother's insurance company buys him a new car.
Flounder: Will that work?
Otter: Hey, it's gotta work better than the truth.
Bluto: [thrusting six-pack into Flounder's hands] My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.
Otter: Better listen to him, Flounder, he's in pre-med.
D-Day: [firing up blow-torch] There you go now, just leave everything to me.


No really, I can't even begin to imagine all the emotions. But with all the tears, remember to laugh, laugh, laugh-those times are what you will remember most and draw comfort from:smile:.

Blessings to you and your family.
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Perfect! I needed that, Thank you!!:wink:
 
W e should be drinking heavily- water, anyway. Time to get hydrated, people!
 
I can't believe I started this thread back in December and here we are with one week to go until we leave for R-Day.

Boy the time has gone by really FAST with prom, graduation.... and just "hanging out". We are finding that as the time gets closer we are spending more time as a family and not so much time with "the" friends. This is a roller coaster ride and right now we are on top of the hill waiting to come down for the ride.

I have my moments when I feel very over whelmed. We are having a 3:1 get together (graduation, birthday, good luck) this weekend. When I was ordering the cake and having it say good luck, I started to cry and my daughter had to finish the order for me. I guess it just comes with little things.
 
Try to remember that you're closing the book on a part of their lives that has run its course. A service academy is a long road. For years plus a branch school and then at least a portion of a military career. Ten years later, I can tell you that this time has flown bye as well. You have much to anticipate. With any luck, this will be one of very few big goodbyes. I think you can fully expect that your children won't face the optempo of deployments we've seen, so you should embrace their careers with unbridled optimism.

You'll still cry :smile:
 
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