andrewsmom:  check out the discussions for the Nuke Moms group.  Lots of info on places to stay/things to see at Goose Creek/Charleston area.  I also see a discussion above on the Days Inn..

We just spent the weekend, in Goose Creek, we Stayed at Fairfield Inn & Suites, 10 minutes away from base, price was about $80/night, which included breakfast and internet, would definately go back.  One day we took a trip to Mount Pleasant, about a 30 minute drive to Patriots Point, Naval Museum home of the USS Yorktown, air craft carrier  and SS Seawolf Submarine.  Well worth the trip. - Also enjoyed a great meal at Reds outside on the deck. 

I tried the below deal for a wireless printer shipped to Goose Creek - it worked.

The deal expires today - Saturday the 26th - so this is the last day.

William in Nashua Ship 9 Div 071

Deserves all the credit for sharing the below deal.

He wrote:

"If anyone is interested in a nice printer deal, I can recommend a very good Brother MFC-J410W wireless color  printer that you can get for 1/2 price now at officedepot.com it is small, easy to setup and is quiet.  And it  comes with free, overnight delivery.  I bought one myself it works great.  It also is a copier/scanner/fax machine if you want to use it for that.

Add this printer to the cart on sale for $59.99 (regular price is $99.99):

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/385287/Brother-MFC-J410w-Wire...

Add this 29 cent eraser to your cart to get the cart over $60 this is what we call a "filler item" Lol:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/724848/Office-Depot-Brand-Pin...

Add this "$10 off a $50 purchase" coupon code at checkout:  73756055

Your total price will be $50.28 delivered"

Thank you Dana, this information is exactly what I needed to know!

I feel silly, but I am counting the days until my son starts Power School--he starts Thursday.  He's had a month of t-track, and I know he too has been counting the days.  Then again, once his nose is back to the grindstone, he will be wishing for some down time.  Oh, well, he's still looking forward to it.

Yes, crmom, somehow he will get it.  My son's study habits were practically non-existent, too, but he's done quite well so far.  (Math Honorman in A School, if I may brag!!)  Hoping that continues.

crmom I have been where you are at.  My heart just sunk when he texted telling me he did so poorly on his first quiz.  I definately lost sleep those first couple weeks.   But a statement he made is "I have to learn how to study the Navy way.'  The next test was passing, then the next was (after I had to ask about it.)  "Oh I got a 3.5"  I will be praying for peace in your heart and also for your sailor to learn everything he needs to know. I also often told my son, "What one can do another can do.  Keep that I can do attitude."

Thank you so much to each person that responded to my worries with reassurances and encouragement.  I learn something new every time that I read these messages and it's much more comforting to know some details about what to expect from this school experience.  He's told me that he goes for help almost every night to figure out what he needs to correct and to learn the "Navy way" of working out the problems.  I'm glad that he's being challenged and that he doesn't have a choice to take the easy way out.  I can't thank all of you enough for your words of advice and all of the information.  At least now I'll be able to encourage him with more knowledge on my part about what his program is like.  I'll still keep praying really hard though!!!! :)  I'm trying to transition from being a helicopter mom to being a "jet mom" that just flies over really fast and makes a loud noise,(just encouragement), and that doesn't fly over unless needed. It's hard to adjust to a grown son that lives far away but I'm getting there.  Thanks again.

Thanks William, this always helps!

Digeo is an EM and went in as an E-3. It was great to see the "Red" stripes on his blues when he was home on leave and to be married! He and his friend have "Red" stripes, though his friend is an E-2 at the moment. They have different MOS.

Hi crmom et al,

My son is in about his 5th week of A school and beyond frustrated with basic electronics.  Math was not a problem but he has not well on the BE tests.   All the extra studying is not helping him to grasp the concepts.   Passing this course would be a miracle at this point.   He is home for a quick weekend to get his car and civilian clothes and sounds so much more discouraged than when we saw him at PIR.   I understand completely how you feel and the frustration of your sailor.  My son was an excellent student in highschool but never had to cram in new subjects at such a fast rate that there is no time to master the material before moving on.   Overwhelmed and uncertain how to survive is how he feels.  Praying for God to assist Him in mighty ways and give him the clarity of mind he needs to begin to grasp this stuff.    

I'll be praying for your sailors and for you, Val & crmom, and all the other moms and nukes who are struggling. I'm sure it is more common than not to have difficulty, the material and the pace are so challenging. I expect every sailor will hit some rough spots along the way.

Hi TxLady,   My son is ET also and about 5 weeks into A school.  He just  got to come home this weekend and get civilian clothes and his car.  Actually he was hom from Sat am to Sun at 1:00 and had to drive back to be at Goose Creek by 8:00 for 3 hours of studying.    Encourage your son during the indoc days - mine spent a couple weeks of cleaning in January before beginning classes and it seemed like forever.   Have him use any extra time wisely and start studying any formulas and concepts of basic electronics that he can find  for when classes finally start it will come at him fast.     Skype is real nice - I wish we had it!  

yep Skype sure is free its nice.

Well my son has already started playing computer games in the less than 48 hours he has been there =(

TxLadyJane, your son sounds pretty typical of a nuke.  That would have been my son if he had a computer from the get-go.  :)