I am proud, proud, proud, but sad to see him go. 2027 incoming Plebe. Watch out world!

M

Mallard Duck

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Joined
Dec 1, 2022
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48
I don't know about anyone else, but here I sit, proud as heck of my son for making it. We drop him off in just a few days and it will be thousands of miles away, in a place we won't have access to him just to talk or whatever. I sure hope this country appreciates what they are getting (and this doesn't apply to just mine. I am sure I speak for many). Yeah sure, the young man needs to follow his dreams, and get on his path (applies to all the young ladies too). We can't hold onto them forever, but thinking about not having him around the house, is sure eating at me and sometimes the tears just come and when they do, watch out. Today, he is cleaning out his room for the last time, and it is tough to watch.
Misery loves company, and I just want to share with this community that if you are feeling down about your son or daughter moving on from you and your home, you are not alone.
I for one will be there for any of you or any of your sons or daughters, as they navigate the waters ahead. Yea the rewards for them promise to be there in time, but remember, they (and us) will pay for every perceived benefit, with literal blood, sweat and tears. May the good Lord bless each and every one of them now and forever. Please don't forget to not only remember your son or daughter when you send a care package, because if it's as when I attended basic military training, there are usually a few of them that don't have anyone at home who can or will send them a little love. Peace to all of you.
 
Mallard Duck said:
... Today, he is cleaning out his room for the last time, and it is tough to watch.
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I remember well, watching in agony as mine started cleaning out his room 3 years ago, re-examining what items he believed he'd want to keep and what could safely be jettisoned. That might have been the hardest part of the pre-USNA experience.
 
It WILL get better. I remember actually thinking to myself, my DS will never live with me, again. I think it was easier because we physically MOVED and I didn't have to look at his "actual" room (the one he grew up in). But the tears will pop up when you least expect them. Let them flow and find someone close to you who is going through it, or has gone through it already. They are tears of love, joy and pride. Not weakness. Hang in there and use the social media sites (with caution). And...even 2 years post commissioning, I still find a way to "brag" about my DS.


Check out the link above!
 
The waterworks are definitely flowing here 😭 and it's comforting to know there is so much support. Watching our only child getting ready to depart on his grand adventure is incredibly rewarding and heartbreaking at the same time. We are also very proud of DS and will miss him dearly. Many blessings to all 2027 Plebes!
 
Mallard Duck said:
I don't know about anyone else, but here I sit, proud as heck of my son for making it. We drop him off in just a few days and it will be thousands of miles away, in a place we won't have access to him just to talk or whatever. I sure hope this country appreciates what they are getting (and this doesn't apply to just mine. I am sure I speak for many). Yeah sure, the young man needs to follow his dreams, and get on his path (applies to all the young ladies too). We can't hold onto them forever, but thinking about not having him around the house, is sure eating at me and sometimes the tears just come and when they do, watch out. Today, he is cleaning out his room for the last time, and it is tough to watch.
Misery loves company, and I just want to share with this community that if you are feeling down about your son or daughter moving on from you and your home, you are not alone.
I for one will be there for any of you or any of your sons or daughters, as they navigate the waters ahead. Yea the rewards for them promise to be there in time, but remember, they (and us) will pay for every perceived benefit, with literal blood, sweat and tears. May the good Lord bless each and every one of them now and forever. Please don't forget to not only remember your son or daughter when you send a care package, because if it's as when I attended basic military training, there are usually a few of them that don't have anyone at home who can or will send them a little love. Peace to all of you.
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Time flies as I was in your shoes last yr. There will be lots of support from USNA, Company mates, fellow Plebes, teachers, staff, Parent groups, Alumni, sponsor families and local Mid families....

Be sure and attend the Parent Briefing in Alumni Hall in the afternoon of I-Day and listen to the Sup, Dant, and Provo. Your DS will be challenged but will have the full support of the USNA community to succeed.
 
Watch Facebook for your 2027 specific company pages and join! When you find photos that your plebe is in and other company mates are in them too, share them on that Facebook group. Some parents don’t see their kids otherwise. I recall all the emotions the 1st photo I saw of my plebe. And then a sense of relief when I saw one of her smiling! Tears! Lots and lots of tears! When you get your letters or on your call find out who their roommates are so you can connect in that Facebook group also. You will share stories and ask questions and become incredibly close. Some of the parents in our group now feel like we’ve known each other for years! Seriously it’s my favorite of the Facebook groups.
 
Also, note to parent self. Just because you may hit it off on FB or social media or a forum doesn’t mean your midshipmen and the daughter or son of a parent you have befriended are cool.

Don’t become too friendly with other parents just yet. Especially within companies. I know this sounds crappy. But moms and dads can be all besties only to find their joyous midshipmen can’t stand one another. This happens.

Slow walk the friendship circle. But lean in to the parent clubs and the safe space of a forum for support.
 
We have made a few parent friends, even if just for texting/emailing support that our midshipmen are NOT even friends with or may not even know. They don't need to be friends just because parents are. :cool:
 
…
…
Our DD has mentioned on one, maybe two occasions, after calling home to vent … of putting “Nair” hair removal in the shampoo bottles of Midshipman that she couldn’t tolerate …. She wouldn’t do it though … I’m almost sure

I remember my sisters using “Nair” in the 1960’s & 1970’s … I didn’t know that this product was still available today?
.
 
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AWESOME Video Happy2b! That is my DW at every party or meeting of friends here in the Uber-Liberal burbs of Seattle.

Advise for new Plebe Parents attending I-Day:
DW had been dead set against USNA, everything in our family history and our living environment counseled against DD's USNA choice. As West Coast Plebe Parents, getting to and from I-Day was a trek, so we decided to take an extra couple of days to spend some time with DD in Annapolis, (we hadn't seen much of DD around the house in April, May, June because of school and travel for her sport).

DW began the trip accepting DD's choice, but sad and a little angry: at...... guess who?? In the time we had before/during I-Day we were privileged to meet and talk with other plebes and plebe-parents bumping around Annapolis; they were everywhere. Through those pre I-Day conversations DW gained a sense for the "tribe" DD was so eager to join; (exceptional kids with great parents). It turned a corner for DW and began her journey toward becoming the woman in Happy2b's video, (I just wish the change had begun AFTER we visited the Mid-Store).

Whether Plebe or Plebe-Parent, everyone there shares a HUGE common interest with you. These are wonderful people, eager to talk about the journey ahead. Conversations come easy, don't be shy, talk with every body! It will make you feel better; I promise.
 
I just don’t understand why the SAs start the first-year experience in June — the very height of allergy season! Don’t they know that this causes terrible watering of eyes and sniffling of noses, especially among parents? Wish the SAs would be more sensitive to this issue and change the start date. 🥹
 
MidCakePa said:
I just don’t understand why the SAs start the first-year experience in June — the very height of allergy season! Don’t they know that this causes terrible watering of eyes and sniffling of noses, especially among parents? Wish the SAs would be more sensitive to this issue and change the start date. 🥹
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I concur.
... but I stopped my DW several times from calling the Superintendent about my DS's harsh treatment including this one.
 
No squirts for me on I-Day.

But, I totally lost it on the last day of a visit out to USNA/DD in February of her plebe year. I was instructed by DD to kill time in the Mid-Store until a morning class ended for her. She said she wanted to see me one more time before I left for home (that kinda touched me).

Minding my own business doing some reading; over the music system in the store I hear this (which messed me up):

Followed immediately by this:

Sitting there in the mid-store, sunglasses on, tears flowing down my face......Ring-ring on the Cell. "Dad? can you meet me in Nimitz now, we can have a coffee before my next class?". Rainy overcast day in Feb., I walk to Nimitz with my sun glasses on and ask DD to meet me outside because I'm worried I will bust-it again at the sight of her. She laughed..................... no I didn't loose it again.

I know I've recounted this event before, but its a new set of vic....er..... Plebe Parents.

Sorry..... Well kinda, Its not always an easy journey for parents, but it is special.
 
Two years ago we dropped off our son at a SA, and it was a curious mix of emotions for sure. You half feel like your heart is going to burst with joy because you are so proud of your kid, wanting to tell everyone you meet about it, but then at the same time you also feel the crushing pain of your heart getting ripped out of your chest. A strange mix!

It is much easier to handle now, two years down the road. But just recently DS sent a video of some stuff he is doing this summer, and it got me again!
 
Just Dad said:
No squirts for me on I-Day.

But, I totally lost it on the last day of a visit out to USNA/DD in February of her plebe year. I was instructed by DD to kill time in the Mid-Store until a morning class ended for her. She said she wanted to see me one more time before I left for home (that kinda touched me).

Minding my own business doing some reading; over the music system in the store I hear this (which messed me up):

Followed immediately by this:

Sitting there in the mid-store, sunglasses on, tears flowing down my face......Ring-ring on the Cell. "Dad? can you meet me in Nimitz now, we can have a coffee before my next class?". Rainy overcast day in Feb., I walk to Nimitz with my sun glasses on and ask DD to meet me outside because I'm worried I will bust-it again at the sight of her. She laughed..................... no I didn't loose it again.

I know I've recounted this event before, but its a new set of vic....er..... Plebe Parents.

Sorry..... Well kinda, Its not always an easy journey for parents, but it is special.
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Well now I'm bawling!
 
Mallard Duck said:
I don't know about anyone else, but here I sit, proud as heck of my son for making it. We drop him off in just a few days and it will be thousands of miles away, in a place we won't have access to him just to talk or whatever. I sure hope this country appreciates what they are getting (and this doesn't apply to just mine. I am sure I speak for many). Yeah sure, the young man needs to follow his dreams, and get on his path (applies to all the young ladies too). We can't hold onto them forever, but thinking about not having him around the house, is sure eating at me and sometimes the tears just come and when they do, watch out. Today, he is cleaning out his room for the last time, and it is tough to watch.
Misery loves company, and I just want to share with this community that if you are feeling down about your son or daughter moving on from you and your home, you are not alone.
I for one will be there for any of you or any of your sons or daughters, as they navigate the waters ahead. Yea the rewards for them promise to be there in time, but remember, they (and us) will pay for every perceived benefit, with literal blood, sweat and tears. May the good Lord bless each and every one of them now and forever. Please don't forget to not only remember your son or daughter when you send a care package, because if it's as when I attended basic military training, there are usually a few of them that don't have anyone at home who can or will send them a little love. Peace to all of you.
Click to expand...
Is someone chopping onions? Thanks for the thoughts. I sent one last year and now my youngest will be there in a few short days. It seems like I am overcome with emotional/sadness on an almost daily basis. Where did the time go? In the end, this is simply the end of one phase of his life and the beginning on the next one.
 
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