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I would love to hear any advice other parents have on dealing with the same issues.
Meh! Just kick 'em out of the house and be done with it!
You know you've wanted to for years, right?
I-Day is Approaching Fast
- Thread starter MIDNDAD
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Meh! Just kick 'em out of the house and be done with it!
You know you've wanted to for years, right?
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Meh! Just kick 'em out of the house and be done with it!
You know you've wanted to for years, right?
Okay Zaphod, spoken like a man! However, my feminine side is having a little harder time preparing to cut the strings.
mom3boys
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My oldest spent a "gap" year abroad....that was very hard! This will seem like a cake walk compared to that! I envy the parents who live closer to the academies. Wasn't it Grant's mom who moved to Highland Falls to be near her son? Mine would kill me!
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Okay Zaphod, spoken like a man! However, my feminine side is having a little harder time preparing to cut the strings.
Actually, that WAS spoken like a woman.
A man would have kicked the kids out at age 12.
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Congressman's office just called. It's official! I'm suppose to get it in the mail on Monday! WOOHOOO 
Actually it was Douglas MacArthur's mother who did that. In my opinion this is taking the "mothering" instinct too far.
I too envy those that live close to the academy their child is attending.
AF6872
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Gonecokanutts: Congratulations!!! We had the same situation and know what you were going through.
I think Macarthur's mother actually stayed at The Thayer Hotel on the West Point grounds for four years. I think she also requested a room for those years from which she could see Douglas's room and watch the light to make sure he was studying. This was long before helicoptors. Her husband, Douglas's father, had a MOH so they probably cut her some slack.
I think Macarthur's mother actually stayed at The Thayer Hotel on the West Point grounds for four years. I think she also requested a room for those years from which she could see Douglas's room and watch the light to make sure he was studying. This was long before helicoptors.
Her husband, Douglas's father, had a MOH so they probably cut her some slack.MIDNDAD, I loved the mother's email! I find myself with many of in the same feelings she expresses. For me, I have really been working on letting my daughter make ALL of her own choices as of late. She has been doing a pretty good job for a 17 yr old going on 18 but there have been some things that have disappointed me too. It's all about letting them grow up and start to live their own lives. It is very difficult to do this but I realize that when I say goodbye to her on I-day, my job is radically shifted. I really can't teach her too many things more, only help to influence her with my guidance when she wants it.
Also, I too am trying to cherish the time we have as a family with her around because I am aware that our family make up will be forever changed since she is the oldest of my daughters. My other children are having a hard time with all the attention my oldest is getting and I have heard that XXXX is my favoirte and that everybody knows it. This is so hard. I try to explain to the other sibs that she is just at a different place in her life that requires more attention right now. I also assure them that I will do the same for them too when their time comes. I would love to hear any advice other parents have on dealing with the same issues.
I think you have a handle on your situation. The focus is on your oldest, she is about to spread her wings and go to something she has likly dreamed about for some time. If your daughter is similar to mine she has a major presence and impact in the entire household.
Are you taking your whole family to I-Day? If you do the siblings will see and feel the gravity of the event that that day represents. That final hour to say goodbye on Stribling walk will affect everyone. Then you go home and they along with you will feel the absense of that presence in your house. It's just a natural progression to deal with that new reality for your family still at home with you. It takes a while but you all adjust.
AF6872
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^^^ I agree. I-Day was fine until ten year old sibling sister had to say goodbye to Plebe. Then it became hard. It became hard again for them @ Oath Of Office and last meeting at the end of the day. We left quickly so that little one would not get Plebe emotional.
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Yes, I am taking the whole family. We live in the Midwest and I thought it would be fun to make a road trip of it (not to mention I don't have the funds to fly us all nor anybody to watch the other kids if just my daughter and I went).
I'm hoping my tax rebate will arrive before June 27th (departure day) to help with the whole adventure! I can't tell you how glad I am about not needing to pay the deposit at USNA, I'm not sure where that would have come from. Anyway, I got out a map the other day and am trying to find a great place to stop about halfway there, maybe w/ an amusement park, IDK. Then the next day I want to drive to DC and spend at least a day there. None of my daughters have been there. From there I want to arrive at USNA on July 1st to chill out before the big day.
My other teenagers have expressed interest in visiting DC and I'm hoping that they'll also get excited for their sister and about seeing USNA too. The amusement park is more for the 9 and 4 year olds. It's hard to say, the whole sibling rivalry thing, especially since I'm a single parent. My attention is spread way too thin most of the time! I'm pretty sure there will be some teary eyes since we are all tenderhearted females (well, some more than others). But I'm guessing that the other teenagers will feel the importance of the event once they see all the other midshipmen, their families and experience the whole ceremony.
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Yes, I am taking the whole family. We live in the Midwest and I thought it would be fun to make a road trip of it (not to mention I don't have the funds to fly us all nor anybody to watch the other kids if just my daughter and I went).
I'm hoping my tax rebate will arrive before June 27th (departure day) to help with the whole adventure! I can't tell you how glad I am about not needing to pay the deposit at USNA, I'm not sure where that would have come from. Anyway, I got out a map the other day and am trying to find a great place to stop about halfway there, maybe w/ an amusement park, IDK. Then the next day I want to drive to DC and spend at least a day there. None of my daughters have been there. From there I want to arrive at USNA on July 1st to chill out before the big day.
My other teenagers have expressed interest in visiting DC and I'm hoping that they'll also get excited for their sister and about seeing USNA too. The amusement park is more for the 9 and 4 year olds. It's hard to say, the whole sibling rivalry thing, especially since I'm a single parent. My attention is spread way too thin most of the time! I'm pretty sure there will be some teary eyes since we are all tenderhearted females (well, some more than others). But I'm guessing that the other teenagers will feel the importance of the event once they see all the other midshipmen, their families and experience the whole ceremony.
wow. just wow.
My BGO gave me the evil eye when I even hinted at spring fever. Crack down guys, the studying you do now will benefit you for your placement exams. And let's be honest -- who DOESN'T want to be able to get rid of at least one class to lighten the already tough load?
Actually it was Douglas MacArthur's mother who did that. In my opinion this is taking the "mothering" instinct too far.
I too envy those that live close to the academy their child is attending.
Your kids will miss you, but in most cases the best part of college is getting some time away. And at least at a service academy you KNOW your kid isn't getting into all sorts of trouble!
Rest a little easier knowing that!- Joined
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Do not put your head in the sand, that is not necessarily a good assumption to make. Just like many other college campuses - alcohol is also a problem at the SA's. (at least that has been our experience at USNA)
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Maybe it's more accurate to say "less trouble happens on academy grounds than other colleges."
Cadets and midshipmen are primarily college students. When you walk across that stage, you receive your diploma first.
Academics isn't the only reason they are shown the door.
I will say I think academies tolerate that misbehavior a lot less than a typical college, and that is definately a good thing.
Cadets and midshipmen are primarily college students. When you walk across that stage, you receive your diploma first.
Academics isn't the only reason they are shown the door.
I will say I think academies tolerate that misbehavior a lot less than a typical college, and that is definately a good thing.
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It's a sad fact that stupidity happens, even at USxA.
I've seen Mids be separated for academics, but also for lying, cheating, stealing, DWI, and even assault. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen, and sometimes in the most tragic way (separated during June Week of the 1/C Year, even).
Stay vigilant and work hard. If you get separated for academics, at least be able to look in the mirror and say you tried your best. If you get separated due to an injury, that can't much be helped. Get separated for almost anything else, though, and you'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life.
Here endeth the lesson.
I've seen Mids be separated for academics, but also for lying, cheating, stealing, DWI, and even assault. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen, and sometimes in the most tragic way (separated during June Week of the 1/C Year, even).
Stay vigilant and work hard. If you get separated for academics, at least be able to look in the mirror and say you tried your best. If you get separated due to an injury, that can't much be helped. Get separated for almost anything else, though, and you'll be kicking yourself for the rest of your life.
Here endeth the lesson.
Well that clock to I-Day is ticking and you are down to 60 days.
Graduations are coming up for some of you shortly. Word of advice, you worked really hard to have the opportunity to attend USNA. Do not blow the opportunity by getting a DUI, getting arrested, or worse getting into a graduation related auto accident where you injure yourself or someone else. Have fun and enjoy your passage from high school into the start adulthood but be smart.
Plan on getting rid of your Face-book or My Space accounts. Blow them away in the next 30 days. You are about to become the " Face of the Navy" All that stuff you think is cool and funny about you will be used by your future cadre to make you life extra interesting during plebe summer. You do not want your cadre focused on you for the wrong reasons.
Again wish you all the best and enjoy the carefree days you have left.
From a dad who is about to have a "plebe no more"
Graduations are coming up for some of you shortly. Word of advice, you worked really hard to have the opportunity to attend USNA. Do not blow the opportunity by getting a DUI, getting arrested, or worse getting into a graduation related auto accident where you injure yourself or someone else. Have fun and enjoy your passage from high school into the start adulthood but be smart.
Plan on getting rid of your Face-book or My Space accounts. Blow them away in the next 30 days. You are about to become the " Face of the Navy" All that stuff you think is cool and funny about you will be used by your future cadre to make you life extra interesting during plebe summer. You do not want your cadre focused on you for the wrong reasons.
Again wish you all the best and enjoy the carefree days you have left.
From a dad who is about to have a "plebe no more"
I echo what MIDNDAD siad to you. Really, you've got all your chickens in the USNA basket so to speak, so these next 60 days should be your most enjoyable, but cautious days of your life. Make sure that you do have fun though, but don't go making a fool of yourself before you even get here (like posting pictures of yourself drunk on facebook so that your cadre can have a blast with those).
As for facebook and myspace, I suggest getting rid of myspace just because of the derrogatory response it receives. Facebook has more security options so that you can control who can and cannot view your profile. Honestly, you'll be suprised how many people use it, but use it wisely. Sometimes you just cannot get through a night of homework without it, just ask other midshipmen. In short, just know that you can control who can see your profile with facebook, and don't let any snooping outsiders view it if you don't want them to. The class of 2009 is waiting for plebe summer, but a big warning: The class of 2010 is waiting for the Ac-Year, and the reputation that '10 has is that we're the biggest Joes to walk these halls this century, so be prepared. '10 has the biggest chips on their shoulders because we've been affected by changes more than anyone else: Changes to the SAT when we were in high school, thougher admission standards to top colleges and USNA when we were seniors, New 'Dant and 'Supe who have rocked our world, no Friday liberty and other youngster privilages that were previously given, and rumor has it that we'll be having stuff taken away as 2/c next year so just stand by and pray that you don't land in "civilian seven" because next year, we'll be turning civilians into future naval officers, an aspect that is lacking in about 85% of the companies in the brigade.
As for facebook and myspace, I suggest getting rid of myspace just because of the derrogatory response it receives. Facebook has more security options so that you can control who can and cannot view your profile. Honestly, you'll be suprised how many people use it, but use it wisely. Sometimes you just cannot get through a night of homework without it, just ask other midshipmen. In short, just know that you can control who can see your profile with facebook, and don't let any snooping outsiders view it if you don't want them to. The class of 2009 is waiting for plebe summer, but a big warning: The class of 2010 is waiting for the Ac-Year, and the reputation that '10 has is that we're the biggest Joes to walk these halls this century, so be prepared. '10 has the biggest chips on their shoulders because we've been affected by changes more than anyone else: Changes to the SAT when we were in high school, thougher admission standards to top colleges and USNA when we were seniors, New 'Dant and 'Supe who have rocked our world, no Friday liberty and other youngster privilages that were previously given, and rumor has it that we'll be having stuff taken away as 2/c next year so just stand by and pray that you don't land in "civilian seven" because next year, we'll be turning civilians into future naval officers, an aspect that is lacking in about 85% of the companies in the brigade.