How soon before you packed up your Sailor's belongings?

[Renee (Jacob's Mom)]

Hey Friends,
I am just wondering how long after your sailor left that you packed up their rooms & personal belongings.

My 2nd son wants to move into Jacob's (who leaves on Sunday) room next week. But I just cannot bear the though of packing away my son's clothing, stereo, books, etc.

How was it for you?

[DawnRae]

My Girl left for boot back in June, her room is as she left it. Two of her younger brothers share a room and their dad said one of them could take over Amber's room, I keep prolonging the takeover. She is home on leave, she'll be going to Italy next week. I told them once she left Kaleb could move in, but I really don't want him to. My husband teases me and calls it "the shrine". I guess it's time,

[Tammy]

I only have my son no siblings and even though he is based here in san diego at coronado he lives on the base and his room will stay as it is until he moves into his own place. My husband I think would like to pack it all up, but he still comes home sometimes and I just feel until he has his own place to take it all, it will stay as it. I'm sure its hard. I know when he was at boot camp, I would go into his room and watch tv just to be close to him.

[Achseh]

Before he was out of bootcamp I had his room made into the guest room. I didn't "pack up" his things but I did put them away in the closet for whenever he'll want them. When he was home for Christmas he pulled out a few things to take with him and I suspect he'll get his other things before too long.

[Marybeth]

What a great question!!

I did my first cursory cleaning of his room about 5 minutes after I dropped him off with the recruiter back in November... then his brother tried to move in.... but before I could clean out any of my recruit's things... so, last weekend.... I spent nearly 4 hours giving half the room a deep cleaning (I say half because I have yet to look under the bed!!). Pulled the computer apart, pulled out the tv and playstation, and vacuumed and dusted those "hard to reach spots". Put some of his mementos away for who knows when...

Then I moved onto the closet, pulled 2 bags of clothes to donate together, put some of his favorites in a bin to take to him when he can wear civies in A school (that is if they still fit), and put all the rest into one drawer. (of course at this point little brother was forced to take his clothes back to HIS room).

We can see this room from the family/living room - and I was SICK AND TIRED of it being FILTHY all the time... So I then made the executive decision that brother would NOT be moving into that room - but he can use the computer at any time. Of course he's still sleeping in his brother's bed, and now his room is his "dressing room".

I was hesitant to do it, but then I realized that my recruit won't be using the room much for the next several years...

[Michele]

Yesterday we dropped off our son at the recruiters office, knowing we were still going out to dinner later. On the way home my husband had to stop at Home Depot, so I made my way to the paint department to get the redecorating started. My son is okay with that, as long as I don't throw out anything too important, so I will just box it up. Today I was surprised to find that his room actually still had a floor under all that junk. I think I find it therapeutic to go through his stuff and get it all organized.

[HRH0308]

A few weeks before my son left for BC I made him go through every inch of his room. He had items from legos to video games. I placed into totes what he wanted to keep, plastic bags what he gave up for a future yard sale, and in the trash anything he could not identify. It was cathartic for me and one big bore for him. But necessary.

The room was painted, hardwood floors were refinished and my daughter was estatic with the results. She now has a new room, with conditions. I packed up plenty bu for my son I kept out his game systems and a few clothes for when he is home on leave. It works.

Now my daughter's old room is going to be my new office. Painting done, floors half way done. The closet is being reworked.... and after I move all my computer stuff in there I'll have a real office and my livingroom will be a ton more spacious!

Eventually the whole house will get the "once over"..... then I'll have that garage/yard sale.

[Seabee Dtr]

We packed up my sons room when he went to college, his younger brothers were sharing a room so we were then able to seperate them. Before he went to bc we had him pack up what he wouldnt need for awhile and we put it in the attic. Because we are only about 2 hrs from his A school and he comes home a lot of weekends we have a dresser with his civilian clothes and all his books are still in the bookcase. But his brother who is away at college also uses that room when he is home. It gets tricky when they are both home because my college son took his bedroom set with him, so whoever gets home 1st gets the bed or they'll switch off and the other will sleep on an air mattress.

[Renee (Jacob's Mom)]

Well, I guess I will just need to think about it a while. Sounds like everyone is different.

I truly get such comfort by chatting with all of you. It is such an emotional time.

Much love,
Renee

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

It really is an individual choice and varies depending on the needs of YOUR family. For us, we have one in the Navy and one away at college...no one is waiting to move into their rooms - the reality of our Sailor living at home again is probably slim to none. You may want to talk to your son and see how he feels about passing his room on to his brother ---- you may find that he is thinking the Navy is his future and he is ready to say goodbye to his bedroom. And...if he is not...heck if his brother moves next week what your recruit doesn't know...won't hurt him!!! Just kidding!

[Renee (Jacob's Mom)]

"what your recruit doesn't know"
I love it!! That is kinda how I feel. Jacob says he wants to be memorialized. I know he is (half) kidding.

[Blair]

I literally started the "clean-up" right after we returned home from MEPS. It took me about a week to get things organized and I boxed just about everything I knew he wouldn't need for quite a while. I took my time and labeled EVERYTHING very clearly. The only things I didn't pack were his clothes hanging in his closet and his dresser drawers, although I did clean them out! He didn't want me to get rid of anything, but I did anyway and guess what...he didn't miss a single thing while home for Christmas.
In fact, he rummaged through every box I had sealed up and realized he wouldn't be needing or wanting most of his things. I have donated a few more things since Christmas but once he gets through A school and at his permanent duty station, I know a lot more things will be going.
We know from past experience with Navy son-in-law and daughter, its sometimes just easier to buy the few things they might need down the road than it is to try and get them shipped or move them, especially across country.

[Lori]

It' took me almost 7 months before I could do it.