<p>Hello everyone. I am new to both these boards and as a Plebe Parent (mom). I have a question to ask all you experienced ones out there. "I" day was totally amazing. I assume PPW will be just as incredible, if not more. Would anyone here advise bringing elderly grandparents to PPW? I have glanced at the activity schedule and it looks pretty, well full. I imagine the weather will be pretty brutal in August. I am worried my parents may have a hard time with the heat, and well just getting around. However I don't want them to miss this opportunity. Any thoughts? thanks</p>
<p>Hi there and welcome aboard! Our son's grandparents are no longer with us, so we have not had to deal with this particular issue, but I can address PPW in general terms. </p>
<p>We did go to watch morning PEP, which entailed a lot of walking from where we parked the car to the field, however, since it was so early the heat wasn't a factor (and if it were going to be, it would be for us since we are from Alaska). You could always drop the Grandparents off at the field and then park. We then had a few hours until our son was finished with the O-course, so we walked around and entertained outselves. Our son did have watch during the weekend, but most of the time we did have we spent; eating, sleeping, wondering around the mall (a novelty for us!) and going to a movie. He mostly just wanted to hang around and enjoy being with family. I understand that 2011 will not have an overnight, so your activities may be a bit different, although '08's overnight was an unplanned bonus. </p>
<p>The Reaffirmation Ceremony was held in Alumni Hall and was very moving. As you probably already know from I-Day, though, Alumni does require negotiating many stairs. We saw many families with grandparents, but most seemed to be without. It seems more were at I-Day, but others may have had a different perception of this. </p>
<p>My husband and I tend to be very selfish with our son's time, though, and would probably lean toward the idea that it is a "parents' weekend" and the plebes have been through a great deal. If my plebe had an especially close, supportive relationship with a grandparent it might be important to include the grandparent. Remember though that your Plebe will probably have a very specific idea of what sounds like a good time. </p>
<p>Later in the summer you might ask your plebe who he/she wants there, either in a call or in a letter, and let them know that you will support their decision. If your plebe opts for a weekend sans grandparents, then you can gracefully play the "Parents' weekend" card, the heat and physical exertion card, or just let them know that this is a very precious time with precious little of it, and then invite them to Herndon (which I personally think is more fun all around!). The "Plebes No More" are more relaxed and euphoric at having completed the year. I have found that it is best to let the mids make the decisions for their unstructured time, since they have so little control during Plebe year and the expectations of others can sometimes be daunting.</p>
<p>As I often say, this has been our experience, the experience of others may vary. ;) Thanks for posting and I hope others will also post their experiences regarding the grandparents.</p>
<p>One grandfather went with us for PPW; he was 76 at the time.
A handicapped tag is a lifesaver as we were able to park on the yard. I think non-handicapped are prohibited from parking on the yard.
Morning PEP was good for us also, but we are both early risers.
He got along relatively well throughout th eday, but the heat can become a real issue. Especially during the parade. We were somewhat lucky i nthat regard in that sponsor family was a Navy captain assigned to the Academy and his house was right behind the parade field.</p>
<p>If they are reasonably able to get around, I would recommend taking grandparents. If they are close to your son/daughter, then it give them a chance to connect to the experience. My feeling was that GPs don't have a lot of time left to ge t to the yard and this is one rare opportunity they will have to see everything on display.</p>
<p>We took our time, I moved the car around as much as I could, and just enjoyed ourselves. We also stayed downtown, even thought the cost was higher, it made it easier to rest in between events. Most people were accomodating with regards to seating, letting them through, etc. Just like with little kids.</p>
<p>If you were to ask him today, GF would say he wouldn't have missed it for the world. </p>
<p>NOW, with graduation in sight he is even talking about going back and renting a scooter to get around. He would not have thought of being in a scooter two years ago [even though it would have helped].</p>
<p>If YOU are prepared to deal with them, e.g. going slower, hanging back from teh crowds, seeking a/c where you can find it, then I would wholeheartedly recommend it.</p>
<p>thank you both for your insight. I worry that if my parents don't make PPW, they may not be around for other events. They both have trouble getting around, but not enough for a wheel chair, not yet anyway.... I have booked a hotel room walking distance to the yard, well walking distance for me and my kids, not so sure for GP. I also feel like MOMof1, that time with my mid will be precious and i worry my parents may be more needy and require way more attention. My dad is a retired submariner, and is so proud of his GD he can hardly stand it. I think their excitement will outway the heat! Lets hope for cooler weather for PPW!!</p>
<p>One note on PPW, your Mid will want to get away from the yard. They will be glad to take you to their company area, introduce you to their room mates, company friends, some upperclass, company officer and enlisted advisor. They might show you a few places on the yard but basically they want to get away, sleep. relax and eat. So if your grand parents can hang out in a rental home and relax with your Mid, it could work out with just trips to the yard for the ceremonies and perhaps a visit to the Mid store. Trust me, Mids don't want to hang our on the yard so if you rent an apartment or house, home, you'll be much better off if traveling with an extended family. <a href="http://www.stayannapolis.com%5B/url%5D">www.stayannapolis.com</a> is one site that rents places to stay, many which are close by to downtown and within walking distance to restaurant and shops that you can visit while your Mid kicks back.</p>
<p>We ended up taking Nana to PPW last year.... would definately recommend a wheelchair or scooter (if you can get them to agree)...if only to get them from event-to-event....from there they can walk the shorter distances.</p>
<p>Would second Bill's advice...make sure this is something you are willing to do.... pushing a wheelchair, while it made her visit possible, was hard in the August heat.....but having some wheels beneath her made it possible for her to attend not only I-Day and PPW, but Sea Trials, Herndon, and Plebe Recogintion!</p>
<p>What we did decide to do was to limit the number of family members attending PPW....while we had 26 for I-Day, PPW was just the immediate family, gf and Nana.... any more would have made that particular visit a bit more harried.</p>
<p>Instead, we had the aunts and uncles, friends, etc all come down during the year for various other events...football, lax.... and that worked just fine. Then again, all depends on how much traveling is involved (for us, about 5.5 hours each way)</p>
<p>PPW- our Mid wanted to escape the yard....and so that is what we did once he got the green light. Would also recommend not making too many plans "in advance" as to what to do....let your mid guide you.... most are content with a hot shower, good food, and a place to get some well-needed zzzzzzzzzzz's....</p>
<p>While arranging a stay right in town is convenient, don't hesitate to go out a bit further.....sometimes getting away from their fellow Mid's is also a welcomed change of pace!</p>
<p>Have fun....it will be wonderful no matter who goes and what you do!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>ps....have researched rental scooters around the annapolis area without success....if anyone comes across a place that will "rent" can you please post? thanks!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>If you bring the grandparents, even if they are still "mobile", a wheelchair for each is probably a good idea. </p>
<p>Getting around the yard involves a lot of walking, which most elderly are no longer used to.</p>
<p>You will be glad you did.</p>
<p>Some rental contacts provided by USNA.org</p>
<p>Weems Creek Pharmacy 410 266-1177 $30/wk (Only have a few.)</p>
<p>Advanced Home Oxygen and Medical Supplies 410 841-5540 $45/wk (Many
Available)</p>
<p>Annapolis Healthcare Supplies 410 295-7300 $50/wk </p>
<p>Roberts Home Medical 410 267-7588 $55/Month. (Many Available)</p>
<p>Call ahead early to reserve or arrange delivery (to sponsor parents house?).</p>
<p>^^^^ are those for wheelchair rentals or scooters?</p>
<p>thanks for the info.... will make some calls.... do date I have been unsuccessful in locating scooter rentals!</p>
<p>OskiWow,
thanks for the wheelchair info!!!! and a Happy 4th to all!!!!</p>
<p>Here is another plan that worked well for our family. Grandparents are in mid 70’s and perfectly capable of attending I Day, PPW, Sea Trials, etc. and they are extremely close to their Mid. We chose not to include them, and kept those events to the immediate family. Instead we took them for a weekend in October and Feb. </p>
<p>In October we did a non Football weekend, when our plebe did not have duty. The duty schedule is posted at the beginning of the AC year for the entire semester – (at least for our Mids Company) so had plenty of time to plan which weekend. </p>
<p>We arrived on the yard Friday morning and treated them to one of the Tours. Saw noon meal formation and then met our plebe after his last class on Friday for a shopping trip to the Midstore, and then his tour of the yard. We met roommates, squadmates and even squad leaders who happened to be out and about. When we were finished we left the yard to go pick up take out food to deliver to his roommates and him for their Friday night meal. (We headed to an Annapolis restaurant, just the 4 of us.) Our plebe had told us that sat morning training was on the 44 sailboats so we sat along the sea wall and watched at a distance. We met him about 12:30 in front of Bancroft to spend the rest of the day off the yard. He had put in for a dinning out and 22 mile chit which allowed him to stay out until midnight and travel to DC. We had a lovely afternoon sitting on the mall and talking. He was over the Plebe summer “get me off the yard syndrome” and talked all about plebe summer. Grandparents heard stories that I am sure would not have been repeated at PPW when it is still so fresh in their minds. We went out for a nice dinner and then sat in the lobby of the Loews until 11:30 when we delivered him back to the yard. No traffic to fight! Sunday went to Chapel and then took him out for Brunch at the Faculty and Officers Club, which as parents of Midshipmen we are all eligible to use. We had a very leisurely brunch and then walked him back to Bancroft about 2 in the afternoon so we could get to BWI. </p>
<p>The grandparents had his undivided attention and felt like they had a special visit with their Midshipman. No crowds, no schedules to maintain, beautiful weather and no sleeping Mid! I am sure they enjoyed that much more than the hustle and bustle of PPW. Plus, this way we were able to do exactly what our Plebe wanted to do on PPW without the worry of trying to please grandparents. </p>
<p>In Feb we repeated much of the same however did not do any chits as we took them to see their Mid in the Winter musical so needed to be close to the yard.</p>
<p>We have had so much fun doing it this way that we will try to do this every year. </p>
<p>For whatever it is worth, this worked well for our family and gives you another option to think about.</p>