<p>Alright, so here's the deal... I have two sets of parents who I would like to have visit me at USAFA, but the problem is, they don't speak to each other. I'm trying to balance who I invite to what... If I invite one to the Acceptance Day/graduation and one to Parent's Weekend, then I'm going to have a lot more time with one than another, and I want to be able to take both sets of parents on tours of the Academy and hang out with them for a weekend. Is this possible? Is there another weekend besides Parent's Weekend that I could have parents come up and visit?</p>
<p>You can have them come up any weekend you want as long as you don't have training and you get a form signed by your AOC (Air Officer Commanding in charge of your squadron) ahead of time. I had my dad come last november for a football game and spent the rest of the weekend with him, and then I had my mom come up just a couple weeks ago for a 3-day weekend.</p>
<p>My advice is to invite one of them to parent's weekend and then once you get here and know your schedule, plan with the other on having them come up during a blue (free) weekend.</p>
<p>redhead89 -- my nephew (USAFA 04) was in the same situation, trying to balance 2 sets of non-cooperative parents. His bio-mom came to most of the USAFA events, leaving his bio-dad out of the loop. Graduation was rather tense, but the bio-parents did agree to set aside animosity for the week. He did get 2 graduation dinners, one from each parent. They cooperated to the extent of scheduling the dinners on different nights.</p>
<p>This may be a time when you take the lead and tell the parental units what they need to do. If either set cannot agree to be civil, then tell them they will be invited to alternate years of PW, and only get to see you during alternate leave periods.</p>
<p>Best of luck managing the grownups. <sigh> It would be alot better for you if they would <em>behave</em> like grownups.</sigh></p>
<p>redhead89 - I have really enjoyed your enthusiasm and attitude -- I imagine it has gotten you through a lot! BUT, you will be going through a lot of stress and the last thing you need is to worry about your parents. You probably have done a lot, maybe too much, of that. As a parent (and as a divorced one, too, though it's very amicable now), I STRONGLY recommend that you tell both parents your schedule, mention the fact that you can try to get some weekends after BASIC set asside and let THEM work it out. Even if they are hostile, they will do so in order to see you. Apologies if I'm "butting in", but you really will need to focus on your AF/academic goals and they will understand that. Of course, only you can ultimately determine this. Anyway, think about putting it on their shoulders; yours will be plenty burdoned as it is! Best of luck.</p>
<p>ok, i know it would mean the world to my parents to be with me for as much as possible of I-day, and they're extremely supportive so i'd hate to deny them any part of it, but i'm really starting to think that i want at least some time alone before it....begins. is there any good compromise? maybe take me up there but then just...drop me off? although if they're already bringing me up, it seems like they might as well stay with me...any ideas?</p>
<p>I think you're right that if they come with you onto the Academy campus, they may as well stay the whole day. The alternatives could be that they drop you off at a hotel the night before or just let you leave from the airport on your own and do the bed and breakfast program.</p>
<p>Personally, I left my family at the airport, and I'm glad I did it that way, though I'm sure they wanted to be there.</p>
<p>depending on summer plans, you can always fly to C-springs a couple days before I-day. then you can still spend time with them (worth the money), and maybe the day of, instead driving you to Doolittle Hall, you could take the shuttle (free, leaves from certain hotels). that way they are still with you the day of, but then you "go on your own", meet people on the way over, and start your experience that way.</p>
<p>but again restating what Guy4Christ said, it's different for everyone, so talk to your parents and figure out what's best for you.</p>
<p>Also, I believe its possible to get at least a partial refund if you fly yourself there. Not sure, but check the paperwork if this is an option any of you want to pursue.</p>
<p>Sorry to backtrack, but I wanted to say thanks for the creative ideas on how to handle divorced parents. And no, AFDAD, you weren't butting in at all. Thanks for the advice. It makes things a little less of a headache. :) I guess the Academy will help them grow up a little at the same time it matures me. ;)</p>
<p>Sorry to revive a dead thread, but I didn't feel like starting a new one. :) The appointment kit we recieved a couple of weeks ago included a list of items that are supplied on I-day, and I was wondering if we were allowed to bring personal things that aren't on the list, or if we just shouldn't even try. For example: Bible, a photo or two, tweezers (ok, I know that's random, but hey...), etc.</p>
<p>I'd just bring whats on the list.</p>
<p>Then later someone can bring you some other stuff.</p>
<p>Thats just what I'm gonna do.</p>
<p>But then again that may not be possible for some people.</p>
<p>How/Where do you sign up for the B&B?</p>
<p>You sign up for the B & B online. Your packet of info that came a couple weeks ago has the address. You will have to wait until you get your airline ticket from the Academy because you need your flight info to register for the B & B.</p>
<p>redhead89:</p>
<p>photos, no. they will be taken until after basic, so just have someone mail them to you AFTER basic, or bring them parent's weekend. As far as a Bible, yes you may. Bible's are allowed and cannot be messed with, although they might be allowed to ask you to flip through it to see if there's contraband, so i wouldn't risk it. </p>
<p>The other thing i recommend is bringing some stationary (although you are provided some) and PRE-ADDRESSED and STAMPED envelopes. Although you are given envelopes, it is much easier to address them before hand, some to friends, and lots to fmaily if you plan on writing to them. during basic, the best time to write is at night after TAPS, so ur exhausted, there's not much time, so the less you ahve to do is better.</p>
<p>Also, give your friends some pre-addressed envelopes to you, makes it easier for them to write, so they may write more than otherwise. I loved getting letters from them in BCT.</p>
<p>I brought my Bible, but I didn't read it very much...I tried to get as much sleep as possible! My current roommate did read his almost every night. It is up to you.</p>
<p>another thing on the Bibles, i know the chapel did provide some too, in case you forget or would prefer. but definetely bring it if you want your own from notes you have in it or what not</p>
<p>speaking of those appointment kits, anyone else not gotten one yet? i'm debating about if i should bother calling them about it, or just wait</p>
<p>I'm not the only one! I haven't received my kit either...I'll call admissions about it tomorrow morning.</p>
<p>jlb11 and saratia, I got my letter of appointment last Monday, so I'm guessing I may end up getting my kit at Orientation, since I'm going in 2 weeks. Maybe the same thing will happen to you two?</p>