Saying goodbye?

Give your Mom lists of hugs and kisses and march bravely forward - - she wants you to, I promise. DS is just finishing up his first year at USMMA - and loving it as much as that is possible (although he is a full fledged member of KPS fraternity). I'll share what he has done that made my "sadness" so totally worthwhile. First, make sure your Mom is Facebook savvy enough to Message with you that way. It is a good way to stay in touch as phone access is nonexistent/sketchy the first first weeks/months. Honestly, we had more contact that I ever expected the first year. Second, somewhere during your first year you will realize that you are there because of years of love, support, and drama with your Mom - write her a heartfelt note and thank her and recognize her role in you achieving your goals to date. She will cherish that communication. Third, my son left me a little surprise that I did not find for a day or two until after he left. Make it special and unique - an inside joke is best. My DS left a sports sock with "I love you" written with a Sharpie. This was because, for years, I harped about keeping these socks picked up. (I still have that sock and it always reminds me how much we love each other). Fourth, share your KP experience with her. Tell her about the others in your company, the great things that happen to you along the way, and even some of the frustrations (just make sure she knows you are sharing and not asking her to get involved or worry). I am so bless that he shares the mundane and everyday with me - it has allowed us to build a great adult friendship over the last year. As an added bonus, I was able t ignore the drama and rumors on the parent's page (still undecided if that page is a good idea) because I knew the scoop and how it was/was not affecting my DS. Fifth, remember her birthday and Mother's Day. A simple card, a simple Facebook post, anything so she knows you are plugged in. ALL of these things have made DS's attendance at USMMA a positive in every way for me - no negatives at all!!! As he heads off for his first sailing in a few weeks, I again face questions about our contact, but I know that we will stay in touch in a way that works for him because we have a year of experience under our belt.

Congrats and enjoy the wild ride.
 
shellz said:
Now, 2 years out of USCGA.....

Now we prepare to send youngest to USAFA.....
Click to expand...

Get ready for "photograph shock" if you're used to all the pics from CGA :)

The guy at USCGA taking pictures must live there, he photographs everything, he takes 1000's of them during the summer and beyond, and he posts all his pics free of charge for anyone who wants them.

I think the guy at USAFA charges parents ($20 per month?) to see pictures of the cadets.
 
CGA's photographer is an alum. He is pretty much royalty to us parents. He lives near NYC, but has a summer place near the campus. The parents from each year have been getting him some kind of thank you gift around graduation.
 
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