MomoftheMagik
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2010
- Messages
- 403
All parents are different, and there is no way for any of us, possibly even you, to understand the motivations and feelings of your parents. Perhaps they were hoping you'd use your abilities in a different way. Maybe they've heard how brutal SAs can be and fear you don't understand that. They have years of experience at life and know you better than anyone, so talk to them, give them respect and listen to what they have to say...then make your decision after careful consideration.
To doubtful parents: We are a very close family by choice and by design. Our shared faith is strong, we have home-schooled exclusively, we have lived all over the U.S. and had to start all over at making friends many times, depending on each other to be the closest friends. As a mom, my life has revolved around my husband and kids. I gave up my career, even stopped my education, to dedicate myself to raising our children. (and I wouldn't change that for the world) So, when my son (oldest) decided he wanted to be a SEAL, my heart sank. However, I raised him to make his own decisions, to have a passion for life, to use the gifts he has been given...so after talking to him and hearing his reasons, we let him go and trusted that God knew what He was doing. Due to an injury the SEAL adventure ended part way through training, but now my son has an amazing career as a Navy vocalist. He is in Japan...pretty far away...and we see him once per year...we miss him...but he has grown and matured in ways I could not have fathomed in the past three years. When our second son decided on USNA, we encouraged him whole-heartedly. We are immensely proud of both of your boys! We miss both of them, but we get to see our USNA son A LOT more than our enlisted one. And, I know there are parents with kids in situations much tougher than ours. We raised them to grow into independent young men, but we still communicate with them regularly and have actually grown closer, though I didn't think that was possible. Parents, it may not be easy, at times it's downright heart-rending, but you can do this...and you will grow as much as your child does!
To the OP: I know a young lady (got to know her on this forum and met her at PPW) whose parents did not support her decision to attend USNA. She is now nearing the end of her Plebe year. She told me her parents are coming around and beginning to understand her decision. I admired her so much for just completing the application process without her parents' help! You have a year to convince your parents that this isn't just a whim for you. Perhaps when they see your determination and passion for attending a service academy, they will come around, or perhaps it will take them until PPW or Herndon, or maybe even graduation, but I hope at some point they will begin to feel the pride of being a SA parent and will support you whole-heartedly!
Whistle Pig, Memphis, 1964 and several others give great advice backed up with experience, and there are lots of parents hanging out on this forum. I hope you get helpful advice and encouragement here!
To doubtful parents: We are a very close family by choice and by design. Our shared faith is strong, we have home-schooled exclusively, we have lived all over the U.S. and had to start all over at making friends many times, depending on each other to be the closest friends. As a mom, my life has revolved around my husband and kids. I gave up my career, even stopped my education, to dedicate myself to raising our children. (and I wouldn't change that for the world) So, when my son (oldest) decided he wanted to be a SEAL, my heart sank. However, I raised him to make his own decisions, to have a passion for life, to use the gifts he has been given...so after talking to him and hearing his reasons, we let him go and trusted that God knew what He was doing. Due to an injury the SEAL adventure ended part way through training, but now my son has an amazing career as a Navy vocalist. He is in Japan...pretty far away...and we see him once per year...we miss him...but he has grown and matured in ways I could not have fathomed in the past three years. When our second son decided on USNA, we encouraged him whole-heartedly. We are immensely proud of both of your boys! We miss both of them, but we get to see our USNA son A LOT more than our enlisted one. And, I know there are parents with kids in situations much tougher than ours. We raised them to grow into independent young men, but we still communicate with them regularly and have actually grown closer, though I didn't think that was possible. Parents, it may not be easy, at times it's downright heart-rending, but you can do this...and you will grow as much as your child does!
To the OP: I know a young lady (got to know her on this forum and met her at PPW) whose parents did not support her decision to attend USNA. She is now nearing the end of her Plebe year. She told me her parents are coming around and beginning to understand her decision. I admired her so much for just completing the application process without her parents' help! You have a year to convince your parents that this isn't just a whim for you. Perhaps when they see your determination and passion for attending a service academy, they will come around, or perhaps it will take them until PPW or Herndon, or maybe even graduation, but I hope at some point they will begin to feel the pride of being a SA parent and will support you whole-heartedly!
Whistle Pig, Memphis, 1964 and several others give great advice backed up with experience, and there are lots of parents hanging out on this forum. I hope you get helpful advice and encouragement here!