Parents --What I've learned in 4 years

Bill0510
Sat, 02 May 2009 10:16:33 +0000

Four years ago, we were sitting where you are. This is what I’ve learned [what I can remember] so far.

It’ll be okay. The government will wrench your child away from you like no other college-parent will experience. The Navy gives you a few more minutes, teh Army less. But, make no mistake, you child is yanked from your bosom. Never to return.

I-day [in Annapolis] is HOT, HUMID, LONG, EMOTIONAL. Prepare.

The first call is the hardest. Wasn’t that a song or something? There is likely to be emotion, bear with it. RECORD the call; you and the mid/cadet will enjoy listening to it later.

Be proud, but restrained. I’ve likened this to a pregnancy. The summer is like the first trimester. You may talke to a few people about it, but you don’t go about bragging or naming the kid just then. YOu have lots of time to be proud. Get through the summer.

PPW [or equivalent] is remarkable. They come back so clean and sparkiling. They are proud and confident. Enjoy it.

Thanksgiving is very short. A lot of air fare for just over 72 hours. But, if you can afford it, it is worth it.

Christmas. It DOES get easier [for them] to send them back. That first return, I marveled at how easy it was for him to get back on the plane. It was still hard for us.

Spring Break. Comes and goes in a flash.

Herndon [recognition or equivalent] is a joyful time. They have made it through the first year.

Tell your mid to become involved w/ some group or organizaiton. Whether it is a sport, an activity, a musical group, a club, a choir, or something else, your mid/cadet will need a group of friends outside of his/her company who he can count on.

As a plebe, please, please, please, rmeind your mid/cadet to remain focused on the job at hand. Follow the regs/rules/law. It is so easy to become distracted and lose sight of why they are there.
Separation is not pretty.

Study. study. and study some more. Keep those grades up. Work hard. Harder than they’ve ever worked before to keep those grades up. Get extra instruciton. Tutoring. Whatiever it takes to keep those grades up.

With good grades come good assignments. Grades, Grades, Grades. Then Grades!

Stay in touch w/ mom and dad. Unfortunately, if the foundation is not there to begin w/, he or she may not call/write [does anybody write anymore?] as often as you might like. Encourage them to do so anyway.

Visit as frequently as your budget and time allow.

Go to a football game. [Personally, I would defer Army/Navy to at least youngster year, but that was just us.]

Take the grandparetns at least once, if at all possible.

I’ll try to think of more.
Youngster year and later . . . later.

Best of luck.