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The following thoughts are based on many parental experiences in our club over the years. We don't mean to preach, but if you find some truth in the words, it may help you get through the year!...


NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE
including this "free" education. Some members have spent as almost as much on long distance phone bills, postage, and airplane fares than they would putting a child through a state college! But these kids need that support and you can't buy the amount of pride and prestige that goes along with a USNA diploma and ring, not for all the money in the world! WHATEVIER IT TAKES, JUST DO IT! You'll never regret it!

ET, PHONE HOME-
If you can, get a personal toll-free number (available from most long distance carriers), or give your Mid a long distance phone card (To control costs, you can get cards that allow them to only call home and nowhere else), or buy him/her some prepaid long distance cards at 7-1 1, etc. to use! It's a major hassle for them to get change for a pay phone. They are not provided with long distance in their rooms during the AC year. And the kids need that "instant sympathy" you have to offer! Hearing voices from home is an important form of support. Also, put a recording machine on your phone. If you aren't home when they're finally able to find an empty phone booth, they can at least let you know they're OK & when they might be able to call you again. Otherwise, all they get for their trouble is a long ringing and a sinking feeling... (It's nearly impossible for you to call them, unless it's a genuine emergency!)


WHEN WILL THE CALLS COME?
Don't expect a lot of phone calls. Every company is different about how much time they give their Plebes for calling, but Sundays appear. to be prime time for calling!

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
If your Plebe  has a girlfriend (or boyfriend, in the case of female Mids), it's important that YOU sit down and have a heart-to-heart chat with them and have them READ THIS BOOKLET! Nothing is more disheartening to a tired Plebe than to have his/her girl or boyfriend ragging on them because they didn't call every other night and "obviously don't care". The close friends also need to understand the degree of control a Plebe is under, or they will become an adverse morale factor. If they want to maintain the relationship, they have to understand that it is a FOUR-YEAR commitment!


DO NOT CALL…
the Company Commander, the "Supe" (Superintendent) or the Commandant AND .... complain about how they're harassing your kid or they aren't feeding him/her enough, or he/she isn't getting sleep or is losing weight, etc. DO NOT call your Plebe's or midshipman's Company officer (except in an emergency) even if you get a letter from the officer encouraging you to call. This will only get your Plebe singled out for more harassment by the upper classmen. Just encourage your Mid to hang tough & do his/her best, one day at a time. Then, Parents should call their NAPCNT SHOREMATES and talk out their concerns!

The most frequent complaints you will hear are: 1) I'm tired; 2) I'm hungry; 3) I'm discouraged. It's part of the maturation process. Every Plebe parent has heard it for 150+ years! But it's awfully hard on us parents! If you have concerns, talk it over with other club parents first.


CARE PACKAGES
Send lots of SMALL "Care Packages!" You'll feet like you should own stock in the Post Office (if you could) because the postage usually runs more than the food, but few things bring a smile quicker than a box of cookies, crackers, nuts, breakfast bars, cup-of-soup, hot chocolate, trail mix, candy bars, etc. (Gatorade & Kool Aid mixes are also popular.) TIP #l: Send the package in a

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