And as a Covid parent of 2020 IDay I can say it is okay if you don’t go. I’m not advocating to not experience this, but for those families that can’t make this work, based on calendar, finances, commitments, life, etc., It is OK.
There are parent clubs, random parent strangers, Link in the Chain members, alumnus association members all there looking to scoop up plebes without family present.
I felt so guilty not flying out with my son to stop, drop, and roll him at the Covid 2020 IDay gate. I talked to parents who flew out and rented a house or a hotel and car and then drove their son or daughter to the gate and said goodbye. I felt like I had not done enough to be present.
Turns out, it all worked out. My son was fine, delivered on time to the gate by a friend who sent me a pic of DS walking into the turnstile of gate 1. Didn’t cost our family several mortgage payments, DS was ok, and we did it our way. I got a picture of my son with two other appointees from our state sent by a generous parent. Solid gold.
Don’t get caught up in the keeping up with the Joneses mentality. Just because some do all doesn’t mean you should or are missing something integral in your young adult offspring’s development. And this is true of all four years. Not just plebe summer. I just looked at homes for commissioning week for 2024. I was dumbfounded. I have yet to find a home that can sleep six for under $7,000 for a week. This is not a reality for many mid parents. But we will figure it out and be there with bells on!!!!!
Do what works for you and yours. This entire endeavor is not inexpensive. And those that say, “we aren’t paying tuition so paying 15k for a house for a week for commissioning is a deal”, that may be real for them. And that’s awesome. But that isn’t real for many USNA parents or for many midshipmen.
Do what works for your family. No judgment zone.
