While I consider myself a techno-geek, been doing it way before Al Gore invented the internet, I sometimes miss the days before social media and the internet. One thing I think was great, was that parents didn’t consider their kids at the academy or enlisted as, “off to college”. Your children at the academy or enlisted basic training/tech school are legal adults. Even if they are 17 years old. You signed that paper allowing them to make all their own decisions. Want proof? When you do your taxes, you probably can’t claim them. Miss the time when parents would wait for that once a week or maybe once a month phone call. Usually “collect”. These cadets may still be your sons and daughters, but they are no longer your “kids”. Back off. They are in the military. Not “off to college”.
But some comments here about the cadets are also true. Grow the hell up. If any cadets are reading this, tell the rest of your squadron members to grow up. You’re adults now. Act like it. You don’t need to tell mommy and daddy everything. Tell them enough so they don’t worry and keep the rest “in house”. Your parents don’t need to know 90% of what goes on at the zoo. Just tell them classes are tough, but you’ll get through it. Normal relationship issues but you’ll get through it. Be responsible for your own life. You don’t need mommy and daddy. You want to be treated as adults, act like one. If the academy isn’t for you, then quit. It’s not for everyone.
Either way, parent, stop treating your sons and daughters as kids. And cadets, don’t act like kids.