Parent Preparation for Plebe Summer?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>"Oh - and if you show up to the Yard early on I-Day, don't think you will have time to just hang out and say goodbye. They will push them on in."</p>

<p>You are SO right about that! We showed up and saw lots of people in line, but once we got to a certain point WAY back from the door, the chaplains said, "Give her (my Plebe) a hug," and boom, she was on her way. We didn't expect it, so it prevented any last minute tears. </p>

<p>I agree on the Midstore Madness, too! Every time I go in, my mantra is, "Pace yourself, you don't have to buy it all this visit!" We, too, went there the day before I-day. It was great, because my Plebe and I were able to shop together.</p>

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<p>Let me throw just a dash of cold water on the anticipation of buying all the gear.</p>

<p>My advice to parents is to treat Plebe summer like a pregnancy. Very likely, nothing will go wrong, BUT things do happen. </p>

<p>I am aware of one person, for example, who had a brother who went to Academy. The next generation, the niece, was now poised to attend. The father was DECKED OUT, head to toe, in USNA gear during Plebe summer. By the end of the year, she had been separated.</p>

<p>I know of a kid who didn't make through plebe summer. His biggest fear: returning to his hometown and facing those for whom this was the biggest thing to have happened. The town that, for practical purposes, gave him a going awawy parade.</p>

<p>I know of another instance where parents jumped into the whole deal. Parents club, frequent contributer to list serve, full USNA regalia. Kid chose not sign her 2/7 papers.</p>

<p>It happens.
Just try to be reasonable. Be proud. Be cautious. Bad things can happen: academically, spiritually, ethically, legally, etc.</p>

<p>Like with a pregnancy gone bad, it can be hard to throw out all the belongings if it all ends unfortunately. That's not the kind of pressure you want to put on your kid.</p>

<p>Re: T-shirts, my son had to laugh at the end of Plebe summer because some of the names were already inaccurate. Then, recently, he looked at some of the names of the old t-shirts and went down th e list: gone, separated, gone, still here, etc. </p>

<p>Like a pregnancy. Get through the first trimester before you go wild redecotrating the house.</p>

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<p>Very sage advice, Bill. </p>

<p>Originally my son received a rejection from our congressman, and since we live in CA the chances of receiving a nomination from a senator were slim to none. So my son bought my husband a sweatshirt of his favorite civilian college (he was accepted to that already) as a Christmas present. Lo and behold, the congressman "changed his mind" and my son received his appointment to USNA. I don't think my husband will wear that sweatshirt ever again.</p>

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<p>Maybe to paint or rake leaves in!</p>

<p>Bill is very correct many of the instances on the list was exactly why my Mid did not want any to do at school or a USNA going away party. We actually did a "leaving for college" party. Son's school had a young man receive a USMA foundation offer - school treated like going to USMA - boy lasted until October at the foundation school.</p>

<p>Things happen when, and to whom, you least expect it to happen.</p>

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<p>I think this point is silly. Sorta like saying you don't send out birth announcements until you see if the baby lives.</p>

<p>My own counsel. Celebrate like there is no tomorrow. As noted, for a few, there won't be any. But it diminishes nothing of the accomplishment of receiving and accepting an appointment to one of the greatest institutions on the planet earth.</p>

<p>So what if you blow 50 bucks on a Navy sweatshirt. Wear it on the 2nd Sat of December each year to celebrate your child's success and the other young men and women who are putting their lives on the line that we all may have free choices and the capacity to say, "not for me."</p>

<p>And there is certainly no embarassment in discovering that last observation.</p>

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<p>One does not send out birth announcements in the first trimester. You wait until the baby is born. Which, in this case, is making it through Plebe Summer. </p>

<p>In any event, costs notwithstanding, I doubt anybody would be so insensitive as to bring out the USNA sweatshirt and celebrate Army/Navy when their child had been separated from the Academy. Or would they?</p>

<p>Tell us again WP, what is your association w/ USNA?</p>

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<p>Point well taken, bill, that it's not a good idea to "break the bank" on gear associated with any college until your student is well established. However, buying a few things within reason at the Mid store on the day before I-day was like a rite of passage for my daughter and me. </p>

<p>Whether or not to wear school items if their son or daughter leaves before tossing their cover seems to be a case-by-case kind of thing. I know a couple of people who have gone to AF or WP, only to decide to leave. One left during Plebe year, the other after his second year. They realized it wasn't the correct career for them, but they both found their time at their SA to be of value, they both spoke highly of their institutions, and (unfortunately), they both still cheer for what my daughter and I consider to be the "wrong" academies. :) Either one would be fine with having friends & family wear SA gear. The one who left as a Plebe still wears some of his gear, himself.</p>

<p>If someone left during PS, or if they were required to leave, that would probably lead to a considerably different attitude toward USxA, and those around them would do well to be sensitive to the situation.</p>

<p>All that being said, USNA still graduates roughly 80% of those who walk in the door on I-day. You don't know who will be in the ~20%, or why. So, IMO, assume yours will be in the 80%, and within reason, celebrate your son or daughter's accomplishment. To me, the most important thing to make sure that they know that you are celebrating THEM, and not the aura of USNA.</p>

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<p>Now we've moved from the sublime experience of seeing our wonderful offsprung blessings begin one of his or her loftiest dreams ... to ridiculous metaphorical debate of when does USN life begin. :eek: I think we've all learned that can be a personal decision. Yours is to choose PPW. Good for you. As a pro-lifer, I most definitely choose I Day as the birth date. We'll acknowledge you didn't spend too much at the Midstore in advance of your Mid's birthing. </p>

<p>While I'm not arguing for such (But were I doing so, I'd say the pregnancy is consummated, the sort of USN "moment of conception", when that impregnated blue folder arrives announcing "It's a USNA Appointment! CONGRATULATIONS!" :D, telling Mama, Daddy that their offspring it's really gonna happen. :rolleyes: No need for any more screwing around, sorta. (bummer) :confused: And the the new Mid is to arrive on I Day @ precisely 0730! But we digress, and at any rate, we have a real live Midshipmen member of the USN on I Day, and "in the Navy now, not behind the plow, he'll never get rich, by diggin' the ditch, he's in the Navy now!" Isn't that what the oath is all about?) But I digress ... We'll let the decision of when Navy life begins to navel scholars contemplating such ... ;)</p>

<p>And as to when to have the "baby shower?" Each to her own as to when the MidStore Madness begins. :cool: </p>

<p>Man, this is heady stuff! :confused:</p>

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<p>Someone said,"What do I put in a carepackage?"
-Shoutwipes
-Bodyglide/Uddercream
-Underarmor type underwear</p>

<p>That will get rid of some of the physical strain and they are things I remember wanting.</p>

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<p>I posted on the other forum:</p>

<p>
[quote]
The first plastic shoe box size I bought also did not fit in the Postal service flat rate box - I just wrapped the plastic one in paper from a paper bag and sent so that he would have a nice shoe box for his food to start with.</p>

<p>What not to send:
No over the counter medicines like Advil - it will be taken away.
No junk food - snacks should be healthy - although I sent gummy bears as he has always used them after running - they were not taken away.
No excessive cleaning supplies - they will be issued everything they need.
Nothing that would embarrass your Plebe when box is opened in public
Nothing that would require a Plebes time - magazines, books</p>

<p>Do not write cutesy stuff on the outside of the envelopes....the rule is to draw no undue attention to your plebe! Especially tell this to Girl Friends.</p>

<p>Here is the list of suggestions that our Parents Club gives to all of our Plebes to Be parents before IDAY:</p>

<p>You know your plebe so send things they like.
The following are suggested items for care packages:
• Plastic Shoe Box With Snap On Lid (keeps bugs out)
• Individual Fruit Packages
• Power Bars
• Pop-Tarts
• Hard Candies
• Beef Jerky
• Nuts
• Soft Granola Bars
• Small Boxes Of Cereal
• Fruit Roll Ups
• Dried Fruit
• Cup-O-Soup
• Peanut Butter And Cheese Crackers
• Powdered Sports Drinks And A Bottle To Mix Them In
• individual servings of applesauce
• Baggie With The Fork, Spoon And Napkin
• Individual Wet Wipes
• Mole Skin For Blisters
• Cough Drops Throat Lozenges
• Liquid Hand Sanitizer
• Chap stick, ESP With SPF
• Gold Bond Powder
• Odor Eaters Or Gel Shoe Inserts
• Black Pens
• Parade Dress Black shoe polish - sometimes the mid store will sell out of
• 1-2” wide masking tape to take lint off uniforms - or other type of lint remover
• Shout Wipes, tide pen, Bleach pen, paper white out (they can paint black marks off white shoes)
• White Chalk To Cover Marks On White Uniforms
• Febreze
• Rolls Of Quarters For The Vending Machines - some companies will not let them go to the vending machine
• Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelopes - some companies supply

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The shoebox thing - get one nice plastic carton shoe box size for Plebe to store food in. Bancroft has critters!</p>

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<p>Absolutely do NOT go by what has happened other years.... they love to change stuff up and you will not know for sure until you get there. With my son, it was shout wipes and power bars. Well, once he asked for some, I went berserk! If one was good, a case was better. And the granola and healthy snacks. Finally he said "ENOUGH!! I have enough until I am a Firstie and no where to store it". So restraint is a good thing - and something I still have to learn. BTW, I think the resident mice had some of it for snacks!! He still talks about the volume of stuff I sent.... and he is now less than 60 days from graduation!</p>

<p>And as for other advice for parents.... keep busy. Take up running (or walking), volunteer if you have time..... I made quilts. And NOW is the time for your plebe-to-be to start running..... and then they need to run some more. It might make Plebe summer a little easier - one less thing to stress out over!</p>

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<p>They do get volumes of stuff - much will go in the waste bin when they move to Academic year rooms. If you are feeling your need to send stuff - contact the Chaplains office. The usually have a list of Mids who have not had any care packages or support from home.</p>

<p>Our Plebe summer, there was a group that we recorded how much we all ran (walked) the goal was over 2010 miles for the group - the group more than exceeded that goal. It was set up through the list serv and then we moved onto a yahoo group page. Good fun!</p>

<p>Although your Plebe to be does need to stay in shape - this is also the time for us parents to start backing off. Let them decide how much they want to run, swim or work out. Let them handle the volumes of paper work. It will help with the whole process of us letting go and your plebe to be to begin to handle life on their own. This worked very well in our family and really made my IDay a little less stressful. We also set the policy from the point of signing his acceptance papers: "I will not play the policeman - all decisions on what is right and what is wrong fall on your shoulders." We have carried that plan through the three years and has worked very well. </p>

<p>Each set of parents will find their own mix of what works - no one is going to have the absolute perfect plan. Listen to others before you and draw your own conclusions. What works for one family may not in yours.</p>

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<p>My plebe was one that was sent WAY TOO MUCH… from every family and friend. But, you know… it didn’t matter. This was truly the time that the thought counted - even if it went in the trash. Most of the time, though, it was just known which room had extra stuff for all the plebes, so my Mid’s room became a hang-out room for food.</p>

<p>Other things for the care package - </p>

<p>anything that can be flat - cartoons, postcards, bumper stickers, pictures - that can be put onto a bulletin board</p>

<p>Mr. Clean Wipes (and for that matter - any quick wipes) - those I guess work the best and aren’t available at the Midstore. They are easier than trying to wash out washcloths.</p>

<p>Good face wash with salycilic acid - or face wipes - They all tend to break out where they are sweating around their hats</p>

<p>Band-aids with ointment already on them.</p>

<p>Prewritten “fill-in-the-blank” card, stamped and ready to return. All they have to do is add a few words and mail… (I had things like: “I usually go to bed at <strong><em>pm and usually fall asleep in </em></strong> minutes. My roommates’ names are: ________________ and they are from <strong><em>. Best activity thus far: </em></strong><strong><em>. Part on my body that hurts the worse: </em></strong><strong><em>. Funniest plebe in my platoon: _</em></strong><strong><em>. Please bring </em></strong>____ to PPW.” Just different things… I always got these letters back really, really fast.)</p>

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<p>I did a fill in the blank letter too. That was fun. Some of the answers were surprising. We mixed in some multiple choice so he didn’t have to think too much.</p>

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<p>I did a letter as well. If any new parents want a copy with some different questions, just pm me.</p>

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<p>Oh I forgot!! I did multiple choice letters, which he loved. They were informative (for us) but fun (for him). Prompted alot of storytelling on PPW. He had no time to write back home, really at all. Those multiple choice letters were GREAT.</p>

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<p>I also sent my plebe son a fill-in letter. I used an index card and listed options for care packages with boxes to put a check in if he wanted the stuff. I included a small already addressed envelope. I was really surprised when he sent it back filled out, very fast. </p>

<p>I don’t know if it was mentioned but in the first letter, I sent preprinted address labels on stickers that he could just slap on. He laughed but used them all… </p>

<p>Also, to nervous parents of guys that are fairly thin, I was kinda freaked that my 115 lb. kid would lose weight and fade away during plebe summer. He gained and was fine. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I get to see my son in 4 days at the Collegiate Boxing Nationals. I’m so excited can hardly see straight… </p>

<p>Congrats to all the 2013 plebe parents and appointees!</p>

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<p>We have a Mid who gained 20 in plebe summer. 3 hi cal squares and loads of hydrating will do that, especially when they arrive in top shape. baby fat melts away in long hot, humid Yard days …</p>

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<p>Video worth seeing of I-Day (posted on plebe parents e-mail listing):
[USNA</a> Induction Day 2008 at One True Media - share slideshows, slide shows, MySpace slideshows, MySpace codes, free video sharing, video montages.](<a href=“http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=6503aba1adbd892568072a&source=category&category_id=1]USNA”>http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=6503aba1adbd892568072a&source=category&category_id=1)</p>

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<p>Plebe summer video are also on the Parents Page of the Alumin Association.</p>

<p><a href=“Login - www.usna.com”>US Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation - www.usna.com;