Facebook and Parent pages

blackhawkmom

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
198
Congratulations to all appointees and parents!

4 years ago I started looking at this forum because I had no clue what my DS was getting into and no idea where to begin looking for help in the process and rollercoaster that is USNA. This forum is a wealth of info and advice and there are other options as well.

If you are so inclined there is a list serve email group administrated by very qualified people who are connected with USNA in various ways . There are also various Facebook pages open to all parents. One is the USNA Parents Community page another is USNA Mom's and Dad's as well as groups per state , company and year. I would suggest you check all of them out and find a group and hold on for the ride of your lives.

My very first kindred mom friends were found here and we remain together to this day. We have tailgated at football games -cried with family losses together and celebrated milestones. We are planning a get together for Commissioning and have stayed with each other on trips thru our various states.

If I can give advice to you on your new adventure --take it all with a grain of salt --you will be excited -hurt-happy-sad- mad -justified-and above all proud no matter what situation your mid will be in. This experience for your DS/ DD will be like no other and only those of us in it can ever understand. Find a friend join a group ask questions those of us that have been there will offer our 2 cents --take it or leave it.

No question is stupid and no answer wrong. It is like having your first child everyone will know what's best you just have to figure out what works best for you!!!



Good luck -----Fair Winds and Following Seas----And Amen pass the valium !!!!!
 
Great post Blackhawkmom. We are still awaiting the decision but praying we get to join the world of USNA.


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Blackhawkmom, thank you for sharing such wonderful advice! I agree this site is a tremendous resource.


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Although sometimes informative, the listserve, in my opinion, is far too restrictive, cumbersome, clinical and heavily moderated (with a very heavy hand). There is no chit-chat allowed. You cannot mention any products or companies. You cannot be critical of the Naval Academy or question any of their policies. Also, it's pretty boring. Throughout the Fall, it is nothing more than a ticket exchange center. "I need 2 Army-Navy tickets." "I have 4 Army-Navy tickets to sell."

Much better is a Facebook site that was started by a former midshipman parent. It has over 2,000 members. This site has become the de facto official site for parents. It is moderated but it allows for freer exchange of ideas and actually encourages back-and-forth banter. It also has an extensive "Files" section that has all kinds of accumulated useful information.

Membership is limited to the parents and family members (not siblings) of current and prospective midshipmen. Like the listserve, midshipmen are not permitted to be members. Parents of grads are allowed to remain members. There are also a few midshipman sponsors who are members. Many of the members are BGOs and admission topics are sometimes discussed, although that is usually not the emphasis.

One of the administrators will have to approve your inclusion in the group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/USNAMIDPARENTS/
 
Although sometimes informative, the listserve, in my opinion, is far too restrictive, cumbersome, clinical and heavily moderated (with a very heavy hand). There is no chit-chat allowed. You cannot mention any products or companies. You cannot be critical of the Naval Academy or question any of their policies. Also, it's pretty boring. Throughout the Fall, it is nothing more than a ticket exchange center. "I need 2 Army-Navy tickets." "I have 4 Army-Navy tickets to sell."

Much better is a Facebook site that was started by a former midshipman parent. It has over 2,000 members. This site has become the de facto official site for parents. It is moderated but it allows for freer exchange of ideas and actually encourages back-and-forth banter. It also has an extensive "Files" section that has all kinds of accumulated useful information.

Membership is limited to the parents and family members (not siblings) of current and prospective midshipmen. Like the listserve, midshipmen are not permitted to be members. Parents of grads are allowed to remain members. There are also a few midshipman sponsors who are members. Many of the members are BGOs and admission topics are sometimes discussed, although that is usually not the emphasis.

One of the administrators will have to approve your inclusion in the group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/USNAMIDPARENTS/

Thank you for the information
 
I agree with Memphis. If you want your inbox filled up with emails that cover the same topics over and over, then those listserves are the ones to join. Our experience was that topics which were supposedly such a secret were openly discussed on the various forum websites like these. Regardless of what the listserves may claim, we do know of some mids who were also participants, so use good judgement in what you post in online forums no matter how 'closed' their claim to be.

One way communication isn't helpful in most cases and what we found far more useful was to be able to have an open dialog with others who also had current mids at the academy. We didn't always agree on every topic, but at least we were able to interact and openly discuss whatever we wanted to.

Since virtually the same topics are covered in these various platforms, best to find the one (or a few) that best suit your needs. Don't hang on every word/opinion/topic being posted. Make use of the information you find of value and ignore those who act like their opinion on subjects is the only way to look at things.
 
I agree with Memphis. If you want your inbox filled up with emails that cover the same topics over and over, then those listserves are the ones to join. Our experience was that topics which were supposedly such a secret were openly discussed on the various forum websites like these. Regardless of what the listserves may claim, we do know of some mids who were also participants, so use good judgement in what you post in online forums no matter how 'closed' their claim to be.

One way communication isn't helpful in most cases and what we found far more useful was to be able to have an open dialog with others who also had current mids at the academy. We didn't always agree on every topic, but at least we were able to interact and openly discuss whatever we wanted to.

Since virtually the same topics are covered in these various platforms, best to find the one (or a few) that best suit your needs. Don't hang on every word/opinion/topic being posted. Make use of the information you find of value and ignore those who act like their opinion on subjects is the only way to look at things.

^^^ Right on the money!
 
Facebook page

The parent facebook page mentioned in this thread is only for parents of appointed mids not candidates awaiting appointments.
 
Regardless of who they claim can participate, it is still the best approach to NOT post personally identifiable information about your son/daughter on those websites. Some people tend to post details that are WAY too specific and allow their future mid to be easily identified.
 
Regardless of who they claim can participate, it is still the best approach to NOT post personally identifiable information about your son/daughter on those websites. Some people tend to post details that are WAY too specific and allow their future mid to be easily identified.

Agreed
 
The parent facebook page mentioned in this thread is only for parents of appointed mids not candidates awaiting appointments.

That is correct. Once they receive an appointment, their parents are allowed into the group. But, they have to have an appointment.
 
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