<p>Everything has a reason behind it, and they will learn from them</p>
<p>Mom, nothing here yet either. Maybe they are not as home sick because they were away last year. the bad thing is I am going to be in a no cell zone this weekend with my younger daughter for a swim meet. I sent him a letter with my husbands work number and cell number ( because I am sure it is just under dad in his cell phone) hopefully he will be able to get hold of one of us. I just hope that he is getting all of the mail that I am sending.</p>
<p>The ice cream social is on July 27th, I think, but the first phone call will be this weekend. Some parents have gotten some early phone calls already. I don't know how that happened! We weren't one of them. But we did finally get our first letter today. It was just what we expected, so we're excited! Hard, hard, hard, but he is happy to be there.</p>
<p>Don't emotinally invest too much one way or the other in the first phone call. When our D called the first time she was very reserved. We didn't understand why until she wrote later that week that her squad leader was in the room when she called.</p>
<p>Got a great letter today, NC is doing great and loving life at West Point!</p>
<p>This is such an emotional time for all. One word of caution would be to take each day as it comes without expectations. Every new cadet has good days and bad. Some will choose to dump their bad days on parents others will not. If your new cadet is struggling, know that he/she is in good company and things will get better. If your new cadet is doing fabulously, know that there may be bumps down the road - few cadets have a smooth 4 year ride.</p>
<p>Ann, my son spent a year in Civil Prep at MMI. I think for him, after that expeirence, WP is a breath of fresh air. He is not just out of High School, he has a year of military training under his belt and is looking forward to the "hard" stuff.</p>
<p>it is great to hear that your son is doing good djfrro!!</p>
<p>I received a letter from my son today, and I must say, I was very surprised. He is not much of a writer, and after reading plebe-net before R-Day, I told him don't worry about writing home, and I'll totally understand because he simply won't have the time.</p>
<p>What a nice surprise! He gave me a ton of information and said he really likes it, as do his roommates. </p>
<p>Now I won't worry (as much)!</p>
<p>Djffro –I do not know your son, and my comments were not directed specifically at you. They were general comments. As parents we want our kids to be happy – we want to know that they made the right choice. It is such a relief to hear that they are doing well, and it is so hard to watch them struggle. My point is that most parents will see both sides of that coin at some point. We have seen both sides in this thread already - and the new cadets have only traveled 12 days into their 1400+ day journey….Fair warning - the emotional roller coaster has only just begun ;)</p>
<p>I'd like to second Ann's words and add that the letter you get probably doesn't match the feelings of your new cadet at the time you read it. They experience extreme highs and lows (everyone) and vacillate between the two quickly. So if you get a letter (or even phone call) that has your son or daughter in the deepest darkest place, that can change completely by the time you have digested it. Likewise if they wrote how much they love it, a phone call even later the day you read the letter may have them telling you they hate the place and don't think they can take it much longer. Just roll with it and remember to keep that seat belt firmly fastened!! ;-) There are parts of this that seem harder for us as parents than it is for them. There are some kids that dump everything on you, and some that choose to not give voice those feelings, but they ALL feel them at some point. It is part of what brings them so close to one another.</p>
<p>I came home to a letter today! It was short but she sounded great. Except she has a blister over a blister and needs to see the podiatrist. She didn't really sound bothered by it.</p>
<p>I do know this will be a continuing roller coaster ride - but it is a great feeling to have the first letter be a good one.</p>
<p>I was at camp w/ #3 all week...hubby called and read me the letter that came yesterday...amazing feeling to hear what I knew deep inside: he was happy and doing fine. Tonight call #1 came...that was priceless!! Woo hoo!! They are enduring, surviving, and thriving...sometimes all at the same time!</p>
<p>We got our phone call last night, and this morning we had a video email!</p>
<p>A Video email? i thought they wernt alowed computers?</p>
<p>The Protestant chapel sent an email out to some of the parents...NC's do not have computer access.</p>
<p>okay, thanks!</p>
<p>I understand that there will be ups and downs, we went thru some of that last year. I was just happy that the first communication from him was a positive one. I do appreciate all of the input and advice from those who have been there and done that</p>
<p>It is great that so many letters have been positive Hmmm does that mean that the Corps has...?? ;) I really didn't mean to dampen anyone's spirits.</p>
<p>
[quote]
the Corps has..??
[/quote]
gotten tougher? haha. </p>
<p>The letter was nice but a phone call would be better - still waiting. :(</p>