5-MINUTE PHONE CALL GUIDELINES

THE FIVE MINUTE PHONE CALL - 2007

In preparation for hearing that familiar voice of your Plebe for the first time in a couple of weeks (July 8), the question was posed to parents in NEONAP: What do you say after you say “hello”? A good initial response would be to simply say, “I love you!” to your Midshipman. It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat that during the five minutes, either! Prior to our Mids calling, many parents write a few notes as reminders as to what to say (or ask), because once the actual experience of hearing your Mid’s voice occurs, it is easy to forget what you wanted to say or ask!

Other parents in NEONAP helped answer the above question and gave other suggestions. One parent simply said, “keep quiet and let them talk”; there will be a great deal of stored up information your son/daughter could want to tell you about! Your Plebe may have a lot to say, or could be coughing from “Plebe hack”. In that case, what another parent did will pertain. This parent shared that he made a list of questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses and was able to go through the questions quickly, like a check list. Then there was time left for the Mid to talk. An additional mom added that she kept a notepad and pen beside the phone so she could write notes about what her Plebe told her; she said the time went by so quickly that her notes gave her another chance later to really absorb the information her Plebe told her.

Another parent said, “be supportive.” This parent added, “Don’t do what I did and head straight to the car to bring them home after you hang up…” A kernel of wisdom arises from this parent’s experience as she says, “these kids are resilient; they can handle whatever the cadres throw at them, but it just doesn’t seem so at the time.”

Yes, as parents, we are the sounding boards for our Mids. They can probably share things with us that they cannot share with others. We have to be prepared to hear whatever they need to tell us. Perhaps the more helpful question might be: what do YOU do after the five minute phone call? The answer has to be unique for each of us because we all handle stress in a variety of ways. So remember that what helps to relieve stress in one situation may not help in another. Here are a few suggestions: take a walk; call a friend; call your mentor; call a NEONAP member; get on the internet; watch a movie; go shopping; have a cup of coffee; eat chocolate; cry; pray; hug your pet; take a nap.

Remember that there will be two more five minute phone calls to deal with (July 23 and August 6) until Plebe Parents’ Weekend (PPW) when your phone calls will no longer be limited, and you will be able to talk to your Mid in person!

NEONAP provides a great opportunity for you during this time and during the next 4 years. You will find an immediate support system for a mere $35 a year! (The dues are assessed per Mid family; in the case of divorced families, only ONE payment is made.) This group provides you with a network of parents who are currently sharing or have shared the experience of the five minute phone call, too! Dues pay for printing invitations, mailings, membership directory, mentoring supplies, the Plebe box, the care package mailing in January, paper products/supplies, Navy-Army bus trip, etc. We are a non-profit group for the sole purpose of treading the Navy parenting road TOGETHER, and not hiking it alone! Occasionally, we invest in a large item, such as our NEONAP flag project from just a couple of years ago. If you haven’t already sent your membership form to Cheryl Shullick (4806 Briarwood Dr., Lorain, OH 44053), today would be an ideal time to send it.

GO NAVY!!!! BEAT ARMY!!!