Letters

B

buff81

10-Year Member
Retired Moderator
Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Messages
2,946
Would love to hear from some of you who have been through this before about sending letters to our kids during their summer "experience." Any advise? What to say- what not to say, what to send - what not to send etc.
 
I sent something every day. Sometimes it was a long, chatty letter. Other times I photocopied his favorite comics (Calvin and Hobbes). I sent newspaper clippings of community events. Once I even sent an envelope full of dog hair so he could sprinkle it on everything so the place could feel like home! When I was at the beach, I mailed sand. I never said anything that would make his CBT more difficult (I miss you, wish you were here, etc...). I tried to stay encouraging and upbeat. I also didn't tell him about things that would make him feel sad (we had a great big party and everyone was there...). When he went too long without writing, I mailed him form letters w/ stamped addressed envelopes. He only had to check the appropriate boxes or fill in the blanks. I know the letters meant a lot to him...he didn't always have time to read them, but enjoyed having them for when things settled down.
 
I'll echo/expound on something mom3boys said. If you have questions, send them with answers already made than can be circled/checked/etc. or leave room below the question to answer right there so he can mail that back. I had my mom do that and it made life easy for me when I answered questions. That way, I could just write my normal letter part without worrying about which questions to answer.
 
I sent a letter or card about 3-4 times per week. He got mail from other family members too so I didn't feel I needed to write every day.

In addition to comics I would send short jokes and bits of trivia. During Beast the cadre would ask the new cadets for a joke or trivia. It helps if they have something new every time. I found most of my material on the internet.

I too sent the form letters with answers to circle or blanks to fill in. I got more information from these than his regular letters because he would elaborate on what I had asked. Here is a link to some sample form letters:
http://www.west-point.org/parent/plebe-net/letters.html

I found a few cards that had encouraging messages and sent those also.
 
Send jokes. Lots of jokes, especially military jokes about other branches.
I sent tons of AF and Navy jokes and they were loved by the cadre.

I also sent a paparazzi update. I kept her updated on trivial celebrity stuff - not that she cared that much but it was a break from the usual news.
If they have a favorite baseball team or other sports team - keep them updated. Don't forget local news.

I didn't get much mail so I sent musical cards. I figured if she got in trouble she would write and tell me to stop - but she didn't. She loved them and the cadre loved them. LOL. I think I spent 30 bucks on those musical cards! I sent form letters but never got one back.
 
Thanks everyone. My New Cadet will benefit from your suggestions! :smile:
 
One of the things that made my guys laugh the hardest was taking pictures of the family pets dressed in stupid costumes with captions added... really cheesy, but they loved it! :thumb:

PS -- also Far Side cartoons, which seem particularly to appeal...
 
comics are a great idea, along with jokes.

(Far side and Close to Home are hilarious.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top