<p>I live within driving distance of USNA (1hr 30). Are my friends allowed to attend I-Day and stay with my parents?</p>
<p>Yes and encouraged!</p>
<p>Haha yeah it better be fine. Without me knowing, about half of my extended family has made plans to come. Sorry for all of you who can't find hotels, I think we might have them all! Just kidding, not ALL of them, just alot.</p>
<p>We also live within 3 hours driving distance and many of our friends and family plan on attending to launch her on her way.</p>
<p>We've rented four tour buses! LOL! Just kidding! I am pretty sure most grandparents are coming, however.</p>
<p>Yeah, my friends and family came to I-Day, its not a big deal at all...haha just dont make a big scene in front of the cadre...for example ive heard of mothers yelling out "Thats my baby!!!" or seeing thier mid on the yard and running up to them and hugging them when they arent supposed to...there is time set aside for hugs and goodbyes, so dont go running up to them when they are supposed to be training. hhaha...dont do that, but yes do bring family and friends.</p>
<p>Just a thought, here...</p>
<p>I actually would recommend against it. Take your parents and siblings, and that's it.</p>
<p>Why? Simple. The poor Mid is going to be starting off on an extremely difficult and yes, LONELY in many ways, road. The separation immediately after you say goodbye is extremely tough, even for guys like me who grew up in boarding schools and later attended NAPS. I think it's best if the CORE of his/her support is there (immediate family), because they will ALWAYS be there, and it will make the separation easier.</p>
<p>Having too many friends around will pull strings best left unpulled on that day. Same goes for girlfriends and such. The kids will be taking their first steps into adulthood, and doing it in anything but an easy way. Let them know their family supports them, then let them get on with it.</p>
<p>I'm not saying I'm right, but I'm glad only my parents were there that day.</p>
<p>Just something to think about.</p>
<p>Good Advice Zaphod, as usual.
What is your opinion on PPW? Is the situation conducive to extended family and/or friends? We initially planned to have everyone at I-Day, but when we learned that many new mids would be going it completely alone, we decided to limit the crowd. We're thinking PPW would be more appropriate for the extended family, but is it a situation where the kids will just want to chill/sleep, or do they usually want to "do things" and "see people"? I'm sure the answer to that question varies with the individual; I'm just wondering what the general attitude is...</p>
<p>Current mids, please chime in if you can say what the general mood is for PPW.</p>
<p>Sorry to change the subject a little bit - it kind of goes along w/ the I-day topic in that we'd be able to tell the "extended group" whether they could count on PPW or not when we lower the boom on them about not going to I-day! Thanks!</p>
<p>my ppw my family and grandparents came, and it was awesome because i could see their support: only my mom came with me on i-day. lots of plebes in my company had their girlfriends/friends come, and it really varied person to person. i just wanted to sleep and veg out, but i had lots of friends who went to the mall, saw movies, etc. ppw is definitely the time to bring extended family and friends, in my opinion. its a long time until thanksgiving.</p>
<p>This is quite an interesting discussion. I know and could bet my life on the fact that even if they asked, my daughter would NOT want friends there on I-Day. In fact, we live in SoCA and she has asked for we parents to give out goodbyes in the San Diego airport. Her mental focus will be, as always...where and what she is going to do next: be it a test, a swim meet, a Civil Air Patrol Color Guard competition, or now the upcoming I-Day. Our kiddo certainly wants the love and support first...then she mentally focuses it all out since the next steps are hers and hers alone.</p>
<p>Even though part of me wants desperately to fly with her back in June..being her mom I can vouch for the fact that we would only get a distant daughter on I-Day...who would want to be mentally thinking about that day,--be conflicted about her feeling she should be meeting our needs, while at the same time dealing with the stresses of adjusting to her new life, and not seeing my tears. So with reservations in hand, we have agreed to wait for more hugs, tears and physical time together for PPW in August.</p>
<p>This really is, I think, a personal decision for one and all and there is no 'right' answer, just suggestions from others for all to consider.</p>
<p>The fact that we have young people who can even consider this question:"Who should come to I-Day" is a precious gift for us all! There are hundreds of families who, given the chance, would love to be in our shoes...but won't have a child with an Appointment in June. We can all be greatful for this privelege. ( greatful yes, at least for me, plus a touch of fear. Our family doctor, a dear friend was chatting with me last weekend while we socialized together and he was asking me about my feelings about our daughter's career plans to go USNA/Marine. When I explained how I feel she has a calling to serve her country...that it is her personal decision and I will support her no matter what and that yes, I'm scared but proud.....he quipped: "you should start a website titled: 'parentsscared*****less.om' I don't think I'll start that site quite yet, but it did make us both laugh!)</p>
<p>We are blessed families, all of us to have been granted the privelege of these teriffic kids to call our own. Thanks be to God.</p>
<p>I think this is very individualized, and no one answer will fit all. </p>
<p>We left it up to the torpeodo as to what he wanted. We will have a busload. But had he said he would rather go it alone, than that is what would happen.</p>
<p>It's not, so he won't. And we will try our very, very best to make it an upbeat sendoff.......despite the haircut and the funny cover! ;)</p>
<p>peskemom..did you say your daughter was a swimmer?? has she come on a recruiting trip yet?</p>
<p>
[quote]
ppw is definitely the time to bring extended family and friends, in my opinion. its a long time until thanksgiving.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree. I was one of those whose girlfriend came with my parents and sister.</p>
<p>Just remember though, that the poor Plebe is coming off one challenge and beginning another. Don't smother him with lots of questions, etc. See my other thread. Be there, have fun, enjoy the company, and sho interest, but respect the fact that this is the first period of normalcy the poor kid has seen in five or six weeks.</p>
<p>Oh, and Plebers? If your significant other comes along, please don't ignore your parents. That's not good, either. Fair is fair.</p>
<p>Ask me how I know. Not the proudest moment of my life. My dad (who never, ever, learned the lessons taught in my Parents Advice thread) left that weekend VERY upset with me. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>ETA: I, for one, wouldn't miss I-Day for my kid no matter what she thought about it. I'd crawl across the country to be there, if I had to.</p>
<p>imatnavy...yes she swims, and has since 5th grade in club and school.She has a decent 100fly time...but isn't interested in competitve swimming any longer.She has set her heart on crew...she did a crew session there at NASS and has already met with Nicole Stimpson at CVW and while not being recruited for a sport...she has already filled out the NCAA stuff at Coach Stimpson's request and will definitely do women's crew with Navy.</p>
<p>Zaphod...know why I enjoy your posts so much...no one ever has to wonder where YOU stand on things.</p>
<p>"crawling across the country"...hmmm hadn't considered that option, but if I started now, I just might make it to I-Day on time!</p>
<p>I also enjoy your little bio tidbits. I don't plan on revealing all the dumb, stupid, insensitive, unkind things I did to MY family during my college years! I only continue to hope my own brood of 5 don't do some of them. So far with 4 launched they've pulled a few parent-hair-raisiers...heart-breakers of their own. </p>
<p>How nice we ALL outgrow those years!!! :-)</p>
<p>I share the tidbits to ensure that people know I'm not just making this stuff up. BTDT, and yes, I still have some of the T-Shirts, although they are getting a bit ratty by now!</p>
<p>As for always being clear on where I stand, it's a blessing and a curse, believe me! :D</p>
<p>ETA: Yep. I know I still owe you an e-mail. Hang tight! ;)</p>
<p>"ETA: Yep. I know I still owe you an e-mail. Hang tight! " :-)</p>
<p>you sure do! :-)</p>
<p>Zaphod, I definitely agree with you. Having attended I-Day, I can only say that there were moments that I will never forget. Granted, we did not see our Plebe very much. He had an early report time and we walked over to the Yard together, just the immediate family. We did not communicate with him again until after the ceremony that evening. It seemed like the whole day was more for us as our Plebe was quickly ushered through the door early that day. I honestly am not sure what friends would think of the experience. As parents, we were anxious to absorb whatever information we could learn from the briefings and interaction with other parents and administrators. It is a very long day and could be less than exciting for some. Bottom line is that if at all possible, attending I-Day is a terrific experience for the family, especially parents. It is difficult to describe what the experience is like from a parent's perspective but it definitely ranks right up there among those memorable moments with your children.</p>
<p>I guess I'm the only one who wants to truck it alone online here. However, the 29th is my dear father's birthday, and he keeps saying he wants to go. I keep trying to convince him that PPW is the weekend to come, though.</p>
<p>dicta . . . As I edge into being "old," your comment reminded me of a friend of mine. She didn't want a big production for her wedding day: too much trouble, too expensive, don't make such a big deal; it's "just one day."
She eloped.
To this day, especially now that he is gone, she regrets that she cheated her father of the joy of walking her down the aisle.</p>
<p>Many of the activities of I-day are only marginally for you. Most of what needs to be accomplished on that day, checking in, issuing of gear, etc. could be accomplished with little fanfare and even less ceremony.</p>
<p>Your parents, however, will remember the day many, many times over. Between the two, PPW is definitely a better show. If, however, the ol' man wants to go on I-day, what's the harm to you? At the end of the day, you will appreciate a friendly face.</p>
<p>Everytime I have been to Annapolis, my father [the grandfather] goes; my son does not seem to mind a really old man tagging along behind us. I only hope that my grandson--someday--is so considerate.</p>