Parents

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
41

<p>Lets go to your former posts shall we?
You pretty much said that the parents here are pushing their kids into something they won't or cant do.
You wondered what they were going to do in the middle of the ocean or desert and call out our name.
The reason I pointed out DD's Navy experiences is because..guess what she has been away from home and she has been miserable before i.e. boot camp, so as from what I see of the other parents their children also spend alot of time 'doing" and "experiencing" without their parents holding their hands.</p>

<p>She isn't on this site because she does not have a natural talent to bring home all A's and she has gradually went from being an average level student to all honors. This isn't bragging but you have to ask your self this question...
Who do you want to make strategic decisions...someone who for things come easily or someone who has applied themselves to be where they are?
I don't know what your problem is ..are your parents making you go?
If you are so nominated are you applying for scholarships/colleges elsewhere?
My DD only wants the Navy..and once you are in you will understand.
Semper FI and Rah</p>

42

<p>Navy2010

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I can guarentee you one thing: your "people skills" are not winning you any points here!

[/Quote]

Why? Because I am going against the grain and questioning, not conforming?</p>

<p>
[Quote]
And don't think for a minute that they won't be just as proud of your accomplishments as these parents are of their kids.

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That they will but they wont be on internet sites talking/bragging/discussing me.</p>

<p>
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Reality check: you are but one of THOUSANDS that have chosen this path

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So that makes me lesser a person?</p>

<p>Wheelah44

[Quote]
plus i'd also like to mention that with "westpoint2010" as your little screen name, you're posting in a rather odd place. maybe you should spend more time lecturing your friends in grey on this.

[/Quote]

What a waste of a post. Do you not think that most people have seen my sn? Nah...you cleverly unraveled that didn't you? To answer your question:
Because there are many many more parents on this forum than on westpoints. If anything I'd expect the opposite as their kids are going to go to iraq...not many usna grads are going to war. But your right, extremely odd of me. Why would I post on a service academy forum when I am applying to one? <em>shrugs</em></p>

<p>Spidermom:</p>

<p>
[Quote]
westpoint2010, you know you do raise a good point. Why are there so many more parents on the service academy forums than on, say, the Harvard forums?

[/Quote]

Thank you. Finally someone sees through my lenses. I respect that a lot. Much more than people who just putt me off and say I am generalizing</p>

<p>WIN84:

[Quote]
I don't know what your problem is ..are your parents making you go?

[/Quote]

Wow. Thats gotta be the quote of the day. Thats why I am on this site asking why parents are overly involved in their kids applications/decisions.</p>

43

<p>From what I can tell, WP2010 is waiting to hear about acceptance at one or more Academies. We all know how stressful that can be so I'm inclined to cut him/her a break :) </p>

<p>In fact, it's kinda sweet how worried he is that we are ruining our kids w/too much support. Down right cute considering that he doesn't really know what he's getting into yet (that's not a criticism, trust me -- nobody really knows till they get there as our friend marines4me noted recently about WP) Nor does he know yet how deeply appreciative he will be for the care and support of his own family a year from now. Not in the child to parent "solve my problems for me" way -- in the best adult to adult "stand by my side and I will have strength beyond measure" way.</p>

<p>There are times that I think the Academy deliberately puts our kids in positions where they must ask for help -- from each other of course, but from their parents as well. No other school that I have seen does this (and I've put 3 others through civilian colleges -- Ivy, state, private religious.) I think they know what they are doing.</p>

44

<p>I comment parents for their thoughtful responses to this young person's incendiary remarks. Although I rarely post, I'd like to offer another reason why this thread might be parent-heavy: candidates are especially passionate about their first-choice school. </p>

<p>USNA is a reach for my son, and I read this site regularly for clues as to his chances of admission. His attitude is, "I've done what I can, I'll continue to do it, and I'll serve one way or another." Mine is, "Please let me find evidence the Academy won't break this great kid's heart." </p>

<p>I'm fascinated by and grateful for posts from all of you, who are far more knowledgeable than I. So thanks. </p>

<p>And WP 2010, best wishes to you in managing your stress and/or resentment.</p>

45

<p>Dear Westpoint,
Your posts have mentioned war..are you sure you want to go to westpoint?
Boats is what the US Navy does (not to mention they pay the Marines).
My dad was Navy. My brother and Uncle. So was I.
So when my daughter told me she wanted to go to a military HS (was not an option), we had her join Sea Cadets. When she said she wanted to be an officer in the Navy. We promised her we would help her anyway we could.
DH and my parent(s) "Dropped the ball". Maybe we overcompensate by being involved in her life.
But then we also meddle in our older DD's choice too. EIU..(future History teacher)-oops brag brag..
We plan on being there dropping her off aug 19th...the same drop off day as VMI..we will work it out.
We all do what we have to. Some things in life will be unpleasant..like when you do go to an academy and they take that rebellion right out of you.
They will make you equal with your other classmates. They will make you an officer in the military of the strongest country in the world.</p>

46

<p>I meant "I commend," not "comment"!</p>

47

<p>Dear parents, candidates, observers, contributors,</p>

<p>Looking back and reading the comments to my questions/comments, I have realized that I have offended many of you. However unintentional this was, I feel responsible and I am sorry. I tried and failed to initiate a discussion that would educate us all. I guess I am a bit jealous at how involved you parents are with your children. I looked at the support you gave your children as something negative but in reality it is nothing to be ashamed of in any way. Again if I offended anyone, especially WIN84, I am sorry and retract those comments. </p>

<p>Westpoint2010</p>

48

<p>Way to go Westpoint2010. Awesome reply--way to be big. Please let me/us know when you get an appointment--the Point would be lucky to have someone of such passion.</p>

49

<p>westpoint2010....where are YOUR parents in your life right now in your hopes for an Appointment?</p>

<p>You know - all we moms and dads would 'adopt' you and be there for support if you need it. Heck - I'd even make you a care package during your Beast...if you are blessed enough to get there , which I hope you do.</p>

<p>This is a serious offer, by the way.</p>

<p>Whenever a teenager apologizes, what's a parent to do except give them a big hug and kiss and tell them how proud they are of them?</p>

<p>Aren't you glad I'm only an internet mom, else you'd be probably going 'YUK' at me in person right now!</p>

50

<p><spidermom gives="" westpoint2010="" another="" plate="" of="" cookies=""> Keep us informed, WP. I'll send you a care package, too. Honestly.</spidermom></p>

<p>NorthernCalMother, I can relate. This all is/was a reach for Spider, as well. He's a very lucky kid to have a chance to make his dream come true.</p>

51

<p>WestPoint2010: I knew there was a redeeming people skill in there just waiting to come out and play!! Good for you- and no, it is not a matter of challenging, or outright disagreeing- it's often not what is said, but how it gets said. I have every faith that if you look back just once more, and examine the tone in how things get posted, you will see the shift for yourself.</p>

<p>Remember, you can, and will, be a leader some day, and you can demand your orders be followed. But getting people to WANT to do it- to find that thread of motivation- that is what will make you a great leader.</p>

<p>Best of luck with West Point- but since you are posting on an Annapolis page, GO NAVY!! ;)</p>

52

<p>WP2010, You could have just stopped posting, but you chose to apologize to the forum members. Thank you.
My son found this site when he had questions about noms. He reads and posts occaisionally when he has time. He told me about the forum. My son worked hard for his appointment, he did the foot work, the essays, the grades all by himself, but with the support of his mom and dad. For a long time I didn't post, just read and like everyone else prayed that he would get an appointment. Now that he is going to be part of the class of 2010 I post, like others for support.
WP2010 I wish you the best, my your dreams come true.</p>

<p>Wheelah44- Your post brought tears to my eyes. Your mom must be very proud of you. :-) Thanks for reminding us how important our support is now and when our children are in the Academy.</p>

53

<p>Well. . . once again, I missed a great series of posts. For those of you that can place my comment in the context of a year of posting, read on: Ya'll [my southern heritage coming out] are amazing! From an ignominious beginning to complete redemption, Westpoint2010 has seen the power of the parents.</p>

<p>There is not much to add. You all have said it very well.</p>

<p>I do, however, have an observation: I probably know more about my son's college experience *[via this website as well as through <a href="http://www.usnaparents.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.usnaparents.com&lt;/a> and a couple of other parent's websites] * than many of my friends do about their child's college experience. This doesn't have anything to do with not "letting go." This does have everything to do with helping my son with all the minor irriatants in his life right now [I just made airline reservations for Spring Break for example]; just like my father helped me. *[I also think that parents at other schools would do the same if they had access to some of the resources to which academy parents have.] * It is what good parents do: They help their children, in any way that they can, achieve the goals that each child sets for him or herself. </p>

<p>Before I had children, I thought I "understood" what it meant when people said they would do anything for their children; including dying in their stead. * I thought I understood. * Understanding, however, is not the same as experiencing. * [Many women would argue, for example, that a male gynecologist cannot really understand the pain of childbirth.]* Thus, it was not until my own children were born that I understood what it meant to say that you would do anything for another person. It is a love beyond description. [See, George Strait song: [Love without end, Amen"]</p>

<p>I don't want to ruin a reputation on this forum that I have finely honed like a Remington sword. [Which, unfortunately, are no longer made.] But, Westpoint, this forum is just parents venting, talking, helping, sharing, and generally busying themselves as a way to fill a big hole in their hearts. Because of the nature of the Academies, the hole we feel is somewhat bigger than that experienced by "civilian" parents. We have less access to our children at the Academies than "civilian" parents; our children's experience is more difficult than those of kids going to other schools; and, quite frankly, we can't do much to help our children through this experience. </p>

<p>Someday, if you are really lucky, you will * understand *.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

54

<p>Bill0510~ you old softy!!! You are changing before our very eyes!!! :)</p>

55

<p>Just to re-establish my bona fides as a stone-cold lawyer.
My wife had an accident day before yesterday [everything is fine], she had to laugh [mind you this is after twenty years of marriage]. She said my first question was: Are you okay? [Yes] My second question was: What kind of car did they drive? [As in: Did they have insurance.]</p>

56

<p>Nah...if you were really stone-cold, you would have asked about the car first! ;)</p>

57

<p>On the subject of parents, I got tired of my mom accessing my CC account (sandiegodude1607) so I made her this account. Although I am the primary user of this forum, I am fully supportive of my mom being on here and collecting her own information and knowledge of hopefully my future home.</p>

58

<p>
[quote]
My kid used to get on here. He doesn't anymore because I talked about his underwear. He's never been back.

[/quote]
Just goes to show that no upperclassman can intimidate a mid quite like his/her mom!! FUNNNNNYYYYYY!!! God, I'll remember not to do that! I'd be disowned for life. (Moms can get away with murder, but not dads) ;)</p>

59

<p>So true, I would never let my dad get away with the embarassing things my mom does to me</p>

60

<p>"not many usna grads are going to war?" i'd like you to tell that to a marine grad's face. </p>

<p>ever been to memorial hall? you're right, you have offended me. you may have apologized, but you still need to learn humility. i'm sure your plebe year will grant you that-if you get in.</p>