Letting Go of "Our little boys" & Allowing them to become MEN.......... yikes!!!!!!

[Charlene]

It's not easy, is it Mom's? Separation anxiety is so intense when they first leave for bootcamp. That first call is so brief, you don't know what's going on, how do they feel, are they hungry, is someone yelling at them? You find out weeks later that they have had their wisdom teeth pulled and no one had to asked you to sign a consent, or even tell you about it! Then they are off for specialized training, where will they be now, another adjustment? Finally, they receive their orders..... and once again they are far, far from home!. How will they survive without us? Reading thru the postings here on Navy for Moms, I have found a common thread. We miss them, and we miss being their Moms.! Who are we now, and what is our purpose? We all share these same emotions as women and especially as mothers. The connection that we have with our sons/daughters is put to the test. I can only say from my own experience thus far, my son appreciates home and his family like never before. He is currently on his second deployment on the carrier USS Lincoln. He wrote in one of his emails, "I miss grass, trees, sidewalks, hearing dogs bark, IN &OUT Burger", the simple thing that they use to take for granted, now have a deeper meaning. The experience of being in the Navy has many lessons for them, and for us too. My biggest dream in life was to be a Mom, and I was blessed with two wonderful sons. Now they are grown and both are so far from home. So here I am, sitting, waiting for emails, or phone calls with thousands of other mothers who anxiously share their personal stories.. As women, our friendships with each other grow stronger and stronger thru lifes storms. We are proud of Our Sailors, Our Sons and Daughters. They were once our little boys and now they are becoming Men. Well done.......MOMS!

[Kim]

Wow you have spoken the truth so well. Eric left on his firsst deployment last Mon. He is in Afghan. will a detached unit. I miss him so much. I worry with the heat and the activity there. We r moms. We worry. But they have grown onto fine young,strong men and women. I got a phone call this week but wonder when the next will come or how often will he email. It sort of like c all over again only more danger. They r all acheiving there dream what they have worked for. I'm so proud to be a Navy mom. But I still wonder.

[Tricia T]

Charlene, I totally agree. We will always be moms, with unconditional love for our sons and daughters. However, when they become legal adults, we must let those "apron strings" be cut, stand back a little, and encourage them to stand on their own, to take responsibility for their own decisions. They are now men and women.