Helicopter parents and you

[John41057]

Hi
I have to agree, my DD was comfortable at college and we felt she would handle it just fine with her personality. DS on the other does very well in a controlled environment. We felt that going to the academy would be the golden ticket for him. OH, by the way I know I am new to this forum but I do remember when we visited the air force academy last year there was a football game we were invited to. It was something about a Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. Was I mistaken or when it was all over the air force was holding it up while the army was looking DEFEATED!!
Regards
John

[aseanag]

Originally Posted by Luigi59

And they're all out at the OWS infestations, crying out that the world owes them something, just because....it's not fair.

It's been about 15 or so years since these "trophies for everyone" or "let's not keep score in soccer lest little Ian or Brittany loses self esteem" movements began, and now these kids are finding out that life is a competition, no one owes them anything, and social and/or economic inequality is a byproduct of effort and education.

No one who goes thru four years at the academy can sustain that kind of attitude.

[LineInTheSand]

Originally Posted by aseanag

No one who goes thru four years at the academy can sustain that kind of attitude.

But their parents can.

[aseanag]

Originally Posted by LineInTheSand

But their parents can.

Not true. Parents have to let go, the system demands it. Not much time for parent inquiries or hand holding.

[LineInTheSand]

Originally Posted by aseanag

Not true. Parents have to let go, the system demands it. Not much time for parent inquiries or hand holding.

Cadets have all seen the hand holders....

[aseanag]

Originally Posted by LineInTheSand

Cadets have all seen the hand holders....

Not possible for me too far away from DS.

[LineInTheSand]

Originally Posted by aseanag

Not possible for me too far away from DS.

I'm not saying you, I'm saying in general.

[LineInTheSand]

Talking to my wife about the "helicopter parent" craze, during breakfast yesterday, we seemed to agree that parents are often far more likely to defend a policy or rule that may be controversial, or an unattractive event at a school, than their children.

I'll admit my parents weren't involved with my day-to-day activities. I would call them at times to vent, but never for action on their part.

Obviously I was once a cadet, but at times I interacted with CGA helicopter parents. My wife was on rotation in the CGA clinic while she was in college, so she interacted with parents (surprisingly, I know). Her mother is faculty at a college in New England, and interacts with parents.

I don't know if it's some kind of defense mechanism, that parents feel the need to shamelessly defend policies even their own offspring may see fault in, if only to "defend their honor."

Cadets and midshipmen on the other hand, seem to have very realistic views on the situations and environments they find themselves in.

And I'll admit that graduates start to lose some of that grasp as we get older, and sometimes we don't. The Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association's Bulletin has had some very fun back-and-forth over the past few months between academy staff, OLD salty grads and current officers. That's just an example of some of the commonality that develops...that doesn't exist with parents.