7 Days

[Proud Mom]

I really hate this. What do I do? Do I take him to the hotel and say our good - byes there or do I let the recruiter come get him? If I take him, I will be crying all the way there and back. I just don't know what to do.

[Christians Mom]

I agree with JessicaB, it really depends on how well you can keep it together, you need to be strong for him. He needs to have his head on straight when he goes in and not be all emotional. Be prepared to do a lot of crying (behind the scenes, Im sure your son knows how deeply you love him but this is his time ) through out the journey, Boot camp graduation if you can go it is amazing, deployment, ...and as Matts mom said it does get better with time.

[Sarah Leigh]

My bebe brother isn't exactly the emotional type, so he wanted to ride the bus to MEPS. We watched that bus fade into the distance and only then did I let myself cry. It was hard not to cry in front of him, but he would have clammed up at the sight of tears. I guess it really depends on how well your son will handle your response. I wish you the very best!

[mom 56]

talk to your son and ask him what he would like you to do mine told me what he wanted

[Amy**QM MOM**]

We had the same discussion with my son...we took him to the hotel per his request...then we left him for the night and went to MEPS the next morning for his swearing in....We stayed during the whole process..(the pictures are priceless) then we met him at the airport and stayed till he left..I did not cry..(well let him see me cry) but after he was gone I did my fair share of sobbing..It's truley something to see...

[cooper_mom]

My son let us take him to the hotel, and that was it....I wanted to stay for the night, but he insisted we get on the road. I had did good that entire day, up into that moment when my daughter and I had to say our goodbyes...I hadn't cried like that much for him since birth probably.

[Lynne]

You and I have chatted a few times. I am an emotional person. I cry when I am happy, when I am sad, when I am mad ( which is very irritating to me), when I am touched and sometimes I think just because I am in menopausr ( oh come on, don't look shocked, I am sure many of your are in the same boat)!! LOL My son knows I am a crier and he has done well with that over the past few years. However, he did say to me that it would hard for him to say goodbye and asked if I would please try to be tough when he left. So, I gathered up every bit of strength I had and for the three days prior to the time he left, I didn't shed a tear. I told him stories about when he was growing up. I shared with him characteristics that I thought made him special and unique and asked him not to change those. I told him, I knew the Navy would make him a man, but a part of me wanted him to always be my little boy. When he left that day, I stood in the doorway, Navy proud and strong. He gave me a hug, and said "there's something on your pillow for you." I went down to my room with tears streaming down my face and there was a card thanking me for being a great mom. At the bottom it said, "Okay mom, now you can cry. Thank you for not making my last memory a sad one!" And cry I did. i read card everyday before I write to him. I reread my letters to make sure they are fun, uplifting, and full of strength. So my advice would be, when your son turns around and walks away what do you want him to remember for the next nine weeks? I wanted mine to remember strength and smiles!!!

[missheparin(ship11/div370)]

My situation was a bit different. I was completely naive about the whole process. My son was leaving on Tues 9/21. While I was at work on Mon I just happen to be in the locker room ( I work in the operating room ) , when my phone rang. It was Seth. "Mom, I'm leaving today!" "What?!!" I said. "yeah BM2 is coming to pick me up, he just called me." Needless to say I was in a frenzy at work and luckily they were able to let me go home. I went home and spent the next couple of hours with him. I was on call that day so I had to go back at 3:30pm, his recruiter would come a few minutes later. I must have circled in my kitchen 3 times before I said the last goodbye. I was aimlessly wondering around and he was cool as a cucumber on the computer and listening to music, singing. LOL Whenever I would say " I love you Seth " his response was always "me too" But on this particular day I said" I love you Seth" as I walked out the door, A resounding " I love you mom!!" melted my heart as even then the Navy had already started to change my boy into the man he is about to become. I cried all the way back to work, which of course sucked, but I was also glad to keep busy. My daughter and I did drive to see him off the next morning, and surprisingly enough we both agreed ( my daughter and I ) that today was better than yesterday. It does hit you at random times, out of nowhere. I do agree that it is best if you can refrain from crying in front of him. I realize that I'm not really giving you answer to your question, but you know your son and yourself, you will figure it out!! Good luck to you as you experience this incredible journey! Oh yeah...I have since then learned a lot about the whole process!! What an awesome website! :)

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Ask your recruit what he wants. Often they don't like the emotional goodbyes in front of their recruiters and other deppers.

[Diana]

GO. Let him ride to the hotel with his recruiter if he would rather....but, GO to the MEP for the ceremony. You will likely regret it if you don't..... just try to not make a scene :)