<p>I've gotten a few discouraged, venting and uncharacteristical down letters from my ususally stoic daughter. I was expecting some based on every conversation I had with veteran parents, chaplains, this board, etc. Granted they are several days behind real time and she has been really sick with the hack and pulled hip flexers...... Prob bounced back by now. But I need to hear that mine isnt the only one. </p>
<p>Are you hearing anything from yours? This is killing me.</p>
<p>She's probably quit by now and is roaming the U.S. w/out telling you.</p>
<p>Okay, just kidding . . . can't really discourage or encourage you. It will probably be okay, especially after PPW, when she gets to put on the new uniform.</p>
<p>Bill-She couldnt backpack across the country w/o telling me. She doesnt have enough money with her!</p>
<p>I did smile however when I read your reply.</p>
<p>Madam, believe you me, she is NOT the only one.</p>
<p>I'm a damned ALUMNI, and I STILL bit** about the place!</p>
<p>Until she starts talking about quitting, don't sweat it. Questioning why she went is normal, but talking about quitting (and I mean seriously, not just as a venting mechanism) is when the alarm bells should go off.</p>
<p>who else is she going to vent to?</p>
<p>SS this is perfectly normal...there are upbeat letters and there are downbeat ones...ditto with phone calls and emails. You can't let any one get YOU down. Just hear your daughter out and keep encouraging her and telling her how proud you are. Chances are she'll have some good days ahead, do something cool at the academy, win a contest, get praised by her cadre and before you know it her outlook will brighten. It's a long, tough, slog but before you know it PPW will be here and things will get better. Good luck!</p>
<p>sistersunnie,
We are constantly reminded by other WP parents that the letters home are "in the moment" and the moment has passed by the time you read them. I agree with the others, for this summer, success is measured in whether one stays or leaves. She is not quitting and therefore is successful. </p>
<p>I found a photo of my new cadet online and spent far too long analyzing the less the cheerful countenance. Of course he's not always "happy to be there" but he IS still there, and therefore he is successful too. </p>
<p>Just a few more days and you will see for yourself. She will be fine and you will be wondering what was wrong with you!</p>
<p>BTW, when DO those new mids find time to eat all that food you parents are sending?? ;-)</p>
<p>WP2010,</p>
<p>There are many times that smiles aren't allowed. :)</p>
<p>Sis-When I was anew Navy wife (not PC, I know, but I am too old to think of myself as a "military spouse"), I was given some great advice by more seasoned wives. When our husbands deployed, and we were feeling miserable: lonely, depressed, angry, overwhelmed, or whatever, they told me to write a letter venting about everything. Then stick that letter in a drawer, think about it for a few days. If I still felt that way, they said to wait a few more days. Then they said to either throw it out, or save it for when hubby came home so I could show him what I had been feeling at that time, without making him feel guilty because he was 10,00 miles away and 500 feet below the water. </p>
<p>Our kids don't have that kind of wisdom, unfortunately. What you are reading is the feelings of that particular moment. She may have been fine a day later, but the letter had already been sent. Please don't let it worry you. Unless you get a call saying she wants to quit, operate under the assumption that all is well.</p>
<p>When DD's big sis was at Parris Island, I lived by the mantra, "no news is good news." </p>
<p>Hang in there.</p>
<p>sistersunnie -</p>
<p>My son's letters have been pretty encouraging so far, he's usually upbeat also, but in nearly every letter he seems to be trying to reassure himself (i.e. comments like "I'm not too worried right now" and "I'll be okay, I'm sure".</p>
<p>I know he will have good days and times as well as the opposite,(unfortunately, as parents we will feel absolutely all their emotions as well
:-)) so I think that's why they tell us it will be a rollercoaster ride! They are correct so far! Hang in there!</p>
<p>My son keeps saying "I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL PPW!!!" And neither can any of us!!!</p>
<p>-gypsycl</p>
<p>Parents of new cadets, its almost over! Hang in there. I spoke to my yearling daughter at Buckner today. She is looking forward to taking a new cadet/plebe under her wing in a couple of weeks, as are all the yearlings I am sure. They will be in good hands when the academic year begins. Keep sending mail to your new cadet and be their sounding board when they call. You don't need to "solve" their problem on the spot, just be there to listen, thats really all most of them need. The same will be true for their plebe academic year--the problems will be different but the needs will be the same--just someone they can complain to once and awhile without fear of any "repercussions" :)</p>