Cougar_62
Just another frustrated observer.
You guys may jump all over me for this, but I'm an old Dad and can take it. I'd be one of those Helicopter Parents you guys talk about if my daughter would let me. Fortunately, she's smarter than the old man and pretty much ignores me and does her own thing.
I read and post at the two forums that were mentioned, and I've gotten pretty good advice for my daughter from mids, parents and active duty and retired. I pass this on to my daughter and she doesn't have to go to the site herself.The sites definitely are dominated by parents, but if you filter through sometimes you can find good info. Plus, it makes me feel closer to the whole process since I can only stand by and watch, since my daughter is definitely doing it all herself.
From a parents point of view, the first BGO interview was at our home. (My daughter is trying a second time this year after going to a civilian prep school and now attending college.) My daughter had been in touch with the BGO responsible for the State for years since she met him at an Academy Day presentation and he took an active interest in her. The local BGO told her he had already heard some things about her from the State guy when he came for the interview.
My daughter threatened me with all kinds of dire consequences if I stayed around for the interview so I was prepared to leave. The BGO specifically asked me to stay and we all sat around the kitchen table. He asked me several questions, probably like was stated before trying to figure out if I was pushing my daughter into this. When he got down to asking her specific questions I excused myself.
My wife was a very involved parent when the kids were younger, but she's pretty much separated herself from this whole process.
I worry that my daughter is putting in all this hard work and trying to get into the Academy to please me. I never served in the military but have shown my children how much I believe in our military. About the umpteenth time I expressed this fear to my daughter she said, "Shut up Dad, I'm doing this for me not you!"
Hope she's right.
I read and post at the two forums that were mentioned, and I've gotten pretty good advice for my daughter from mids, parents and active duty and retired. I pass this on to my daughter and she doesn't have to go to the site herself.The sites definitely are dominated by parents, but if you filter through sometimes you can find good info. Plus, it makes me feel closer to the whole process since I can only stand by and watch, since my daughter is definitely doing it all herself.
From a parents point of view, the first BGO interview was at our home. (My daughter is trying a second time this year after going to a civilian prep school and now attending college.) My daughter had been in touch with the BGO responsible for the State for years since she met him at an Academy Day presentation and he took an active interest in her. The local BGO told her he had already heard some things about her from the State guy when he came for the interview.
My daughter threatened me with all kinds of dire consequences if I stayed around for the interview so I was prepared to leave. The BGO specifically asked me to stay and we all sat around the kitchen table. He asked me several questions, probably like was stated before trying to figure out if I was pushing my daughter into this. When he got down to asking her specific questions I excused myself.
My wife was a very involved parent when the kids were younger, but she's pretty much separated herself from this whole process.
I worry that my daughter is putting in all this hard work and trying to get into the Academy to please me. I never served in the military but have shown my children how much I believe in our military. About the umpteenth time I expressed this fear to my daughter she said, "Shut up Dad, I'm doing this for me not you!"
Hope she's right.
