<p>The roller coaster continues......</p>
<p>What do you hear from your Mid about the first day of classes??</p>
<p>...and how will it differ from what you hear from your Mid about the first MONTH of classes? ;)</p>
<p>LOL.</p>
<p>I'm persuaded it's tougher being a plebe's mom than 'tis a plebe.</p>
<p>You're killing me Z!</p>
<p>My kiddo is so stoked she both called me and emailed me in the same day. Not too common of an occurance in our family. One cute story. She was walking somewhere on the Yard carrying her 'practice chanter'. She is going to learn to play the Bagpipes ( yes, you can go to USNA and learn to play the bagpipes, folks) so she was handling her chanter for the 1st time. She said it's about 2 feel long, and a black tube shaped object. She was stopped by a superior ( don't know if it's a mid or an officer ) who inquires from her about what she is carrying. She answers to the satisfaction of the person who dismisses her with these words: "Carry on, plebe with the cheery disposition." </p>
<p>So that sums up her first day of college.
:-)</p>
<p>Thank you Whistle Pig, I thought it was just me!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm persuaded it's tougher being a plebe's mom than 'tis a plebe.
[/quote]
In many ways, you're probably right. :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
You're killing me Z!
[/quote]
You know me by now: I don't blow sunshine up anyone's skirt. ;)</p>
<p>You'll be fine, but parents shuld remember that in many ways they have to be stronger than the poor kid. Why? Simple. While the kids are going through the system, they are still relying on THE PARENTS to be a fixed point of reference and an anchor. They will continue to do that until they realize they can do it on their own. </p>
<p>Frankly, they'll never fully stop. My mother STILL fills that role, and she's been DEAD for almost a decade, now.</p>
<p>Just remember two things, which my Dad always pounded into me when I was there (I hated him for it then, but I love him for it now, because he was RIGHT):</p>
<p>1) If you got APPOINTED to USNA, you can GRADUATE from USNA.</p>
<p>2) If over a thousand detached ***holes graduate from that dump every year, why can't YOU do it?</p>
<p>I'd like to add one more: If ZAPHOD can graduate from that place (with his sanity reasonably intact), ANYONE can! :D</p>
<p>Hang in there! It's all worth it! TRUST ME! (Holds true for Mids AND parents.) :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Carry on, plebe with the cheery disposition." </p>
<p>So that sums up her first day of college.
[/quote]
Definitely wasn't an upperclassman.</p>
<p>You ever see how, just before a lightbulb burns out, it glows the brightest?</p>
<p>Keep an eye on her. It's difficult to keep that level of intensity up for extended periods, and the crashes tend to be spectacular. I know because I've seen them and lived a few of my own.</p>
<p>Unless, of course, the place has gone completely to pot since 1991. ;)</p>
<p>Zaphod,</p>
<p>Love what your Dad said - I am going to borrow that and e-mail it to Fergsonfire - being the old man and being treated like an 18 year old is quite a challenge.</p>
<p>It's a shame it's only a translation. The Spanish version was much more colorful. :D</p>
<p>up down up down up down, man I'm getting vertigo! Just glad she shares with me and vents often. I do find myself not reacting as quickly to each session, getting my footing. Have to remind myself its a pressure steamer and they need to have a safety valve. If I feel like this, once removed from the situation, cant imagine what our offspring are feeling in the thick of things.....</p>
<p>Just an early morning observation</p>
<p>
[quote]
up down up down up down, man I'm getting vertigo!
[/quote]
Oh, yeah. Disney and Universal Orlando have NOTHING on USNA when it comes to rollercoasters.</p>
<p>Hang in there. It's when their are no "ups" anymore that you need to begin worrying.</p>
<p>Moms worry, thats what we do...... Dads worry, thats their job...... I will always worry about my kids no matter how old. What changes is the way I handle those concerns. As they grow I pray alot and remain available for them to talk. I bite my tongue alot, not offering solutions. They are young adults making adult decisions and learning adult responsibilites. The Navy is taking good care of my daughter and she has the inner resources to deal with her situation. All that said....... Holy Crap! It is harder letting go, than I ever imagined!</p>
<p>Any other parent finding this so?</p>
<p>it gets better- have faith!</p>
<p>I'll hold you to that! My bustling household went from 4 to 2 in 6 months time. I suspect I'm adjusting to more than just her leaving.......</p>
<p>you can...</p>
<p>you are...</p>
<p>and trust me, it will! :)</p>
<p>Hi everyone - this is my first time posting. I've been a lurker for quite awhile and have enjoyed the site tremendously. My youngest son is USNA Class of 2010. Took 2 tries to get in and finally made it! Don't think I could have survived the stress of a third! lol. As is mentioned so often...The Rollercoaster Ride...wow, it's so true.
My older son enlisted in January as well...Pensacola, Search and Rescue training. Couldn't be more proud of them both....but as sistersunnie stated...."Holy Crap, it is harder letting go than I ever imagined."<br>
Anyway, just wanted to say I've appreciated this thread so much...helped me get through some brief "down" times when I was missing my boys.Glad I had the courage to finally hop on board!!!</p>
<p>Welcome, Mom!</p>
<p>Navy SAR, eh? </p>
<p>YOU CALL, WE HAUL! :D</p>
<p>I am quite certain that your son will soon find (if he hasn't already) the old Broadside cartoon by Jeff Bacon...</p>
<p>Imagine a stereotypical fighter pilot: Flight suit, mustache, sunglasses, ****cutter cap. On his name tag it says "LT Jones, Fighter Pilot".</p>
<p>Standing next to him, and staring at him with a knowing look, is a younger kid, also in a flight suit. HIS name tag reads "PO2 Smith, Rescues Fighter Pilots".</p>
<p>LOL! :D</p>
<p>Greetings Zaphod. You are the one person I've wanted to thank the most for the 'BTDT wisdom', quick wit (have actually giggled out loud at some remarks)
and good old common sense. I sent my son your posting from
"some ramblings.." as he had just received his appointment at that time. It was sobering wonderful advice. It really is great to hear from mids and alumni on this forum...</p>
<p>My son in Pensacola sent my husband a t-shirt depicting a rescue swimmer that looks like a titan in a wet suit, holding a drenched fighter pilot by the collar with his clenched fist. It states "24 Hour Service,
Call Toll Free" "You Fall...We Haul...Saving Your *** Is Our Business".lol</p>
<p>He also sent us a picture of himself in those SHORT khaki shorts he was issued... that I think he wore for a week straight, even to bed. Can't say I find those all that attractive...kinda takes away from that whole 'man-ly<br>
He-Man' image! LOL!!! Although I must say he looks great in them!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
You are the one person I've wanted to thank...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You are most welcome. Please don't mention it. :)</p>