What's the deal for I-Day

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HopefulDad3210

5-Year Member
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I'm trying to figure out reservations for I-Day. Does anyone know the deal, meaning whether there is any reason for parents to be around the day after I-Day? I suspect not, but worth checking.
 
There are no scheduled events for parents the day after I-day. The only reason to stay an extra day may be to rest. I-day was exhausting, emotionally and physically. Last year, my husband and I left Annapolis the day after I-day. It felt so weird to leave my son. I kept feeling like I had forgot him!
 
socalmomof3 said:
There are no scheduled events for parents the day after I-day. The only reason to stay an extra day may be to rest. I-day was exhausting, emotionally and physically. Last year, my husband and I left Annapolis the day after I-day. It felt so weird to leave my son. I kept feeling like I had forgot him!
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Kind of like buying round trip tickets for everyone else and one way for him...that was already weird.
 
There are some threads on this, worth seaching for, but above advice is correct.

You will be physically tired (likely hot and sticky) and emotionally drained after that last hug as DS/DD leaves you to head into Bancroft Hall. Go shower, have a nice dinner, travel the next day, unless it's just a few hours' drive. Mail DD/DS a letter. Next time you see them will be PPW or even Thanksgiving or winter break, depending on how close you are. Look around the empty/emptier nest, take a deep breath, congratulate yourselves on a good launch and re-group for the 4-year roller coaster you just boarded.

Now, some parents will go on the Yard the next AM and try to spot their plebes at early morning PT (PEP) or other activities. I personally do not recommend this. It is mortifying for the plebes if they see you, and a source of vigorous comment from detailers. There is no official schedule or activities for family or parents until PPW.
 
Besides sending letters, stock up on "encouragement" cards to send your DS/DD during PS and Plebe Year. You should receive a letter providing your Plebe's mailing address during PS prior to I Day.

We sent at least one card a week during PS, maybe it was overkill but it helped us deal with the wait until PPW.

Congratulations HopefulDad, Welcome Aboard!
 
THS said:
Besides sending letters, stock up on "encouragement" cards to send your DS/DD during PS and Plebe Year. You should receive a letter providing your Plebe's mailing address during PS prior to I Day.

We sent at least one card a week during PS, maybe it was overkill but it helped us deal with the wait until PPW.

Congratulations HopefulDad, Welcome Aboard!
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Thanks. He actually hasn't completely made up his mind yet, but we're getting there. CVW was hugely helpful.
 
^^ Even if you do, as mentioned above, you won't be able to interact with your plebe until PPW.
 
HopefulDad3210 said:
I'm trying to figure out reservations for I-Day. Does anyone know the deal, meaning whether there is any reason for parents to be around the day after I-Day? I suspect not, but worth checking.
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Not unless you want to visit the area. Your plebe can not communicate with you. This is their time to learn the Navy way.
 
All these suggestions are great...here's another. Through this forum we met some new friends, those, along with some folks from our local parents club, hooked up for cocktails ( just a few, mind you) at the end of a long day to decompress and enjoy the moment. Got a shower and some shut eye, breakfast at (where else but the Rooster) and flew the friendly skies home. Perfect way for us to start the next chapter.

Whatever you do....ENJOY it!
 
Congrats Hopeful Dad on your DS having the choice!

Sydney C and Capt MJ are right on. Long day and you are in a way cool town with lots of great places to "decompress!" We did the long drive home that night and regret it. Stay the extra night if you can swing it. But would definitely avoid the yard the next day and see DC or Baltimore.

Regarding THS letter suggestion, that is great, but one thing my DD did , unbeknownst to me, was apparently spread that Plebe mailing address to all her friends before leaving on I day. She specifically told them she wanted words of encouragement to help get her through plebe summer. When we visited on I Day she had lots of inspirational notes from friends, goofy cards from kids she had baby sat, former teammate buddies, coaches, faculty.. she left nothing to chance! I think I wrote her twice!
 
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+1 Landlocked, we bought a bunch of cards, addressed and put postage on them and gave them to family and DS's friends. Overkill to be sure. Shop your Dollar Tree and discount stores for cards.
 
Whatever you do, DO NOT go on the yard looking for your Plebe after I-Day. He or she needs to adapt to their new world. Your presence will make that more difficult. Get away from the yard. The summer will not be easy for you. We did it three years ago and will do it again this summer. Let this thing go naturally, and you will all benefit. Then, once PPW is over and they are back in contact, things will get better quickly.
 
What is PPW?

Also-we stayed at that old hotel downtown Annapolis last time--within walking distance--3 different buildings--but can't remember name. It was neat to stay in historical place, but any other recommendations for nearby hotels?

Finally, what is this breakfast place everyone is talking about? We missed it!
 
Plebe Parents' Weekend. We have stayed at the Westin the two times we visited. Not walking distance, but there is a city-run circulator trolley for $1 a ride that leaves you right on Main St. one or two blocks from man gate. Breakfast place we went to is Iron Rooster. Make their own pop tarts. Didn't have them, but people rave.
 
Look for threads from spring in previous years - many hotel recommendations and details. While awaiting comments from recently experienced folks, search on I-Day, hotels, USNA and other relevant search terms. I found a handful of threads within the last year with useful comments.

PPW, as noted above, is Plebe Parents Weekend, and it and many handy others can be found here:

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/The-Acronym-List.11568/
 
Iron rooster brings comfort food to a new level. Besides great breakfast concoctions they make waffle burger and great drink concoctions!
 
I found for PPW, having a hotel that was walking distance from the Naval Academy was really nice. My husband and I stayed at Loews and the price was higher than I normally pay for hotels, but with the Naval Academy parents club prices, it was not too bad. I think it was about $200 per night. And since there will only be a couple of occasions over the four years at the Naval Academy for me to pay for an Annapolis hotel, it made the price tolerable. And the room was really nice and large. Each morning my DH and I would get up and walk to the academy to meet our DS (maybe having breakfast on the way). Then each evening we would leisurely walk back to the academy with our DS, and stop for ice cream at Annapolis Ice Cream on the way. No driving or traffic involved.

For I-day, there was no walking back and forth on multiple days, so having a hotel within walking distance was really not that big of a deal.
 
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