ANY advice will be greatly appreciated!

[Navy_Wife 914 (Ship 09, Div 330)]

Hello!    I'm new to this site and also to the Navy/Military life.  My husband leaves for boot camp August 9th, 2011.  We have a 2 year old daughter (3 in sept.)  I am very nervous to be away from him and even more nervous for my daughter, because shes too young to understand what is going on, but old enough to realize her daddy isn't here.  I don't really know how any of this works. So if anyone has any advice for me or my husband it will be greatly appreciated.  If you could tell me what to expect, when I will receive our housing allowance and payments or anything about A school.  His rank will be an Aviation Boatswaine  Mate (fuels) I heard it is a very hard job with long hours and alot of work. If anyone has any advice or knows anything about what to expect please let me know! Thank you in advance!

[Navy_Wife 914 (Ship 09, Div 330)]

I noticed that she just disappeared, I talked to her only the first week or so on this post.  Her comments were very good and helpful. Maybe she will make a new profile or something.

[BeverlyStat]

LOL!!!  Dear "NavyWife",  I had thought I might take a look @ your post to see if I could help in any way since my son has been in the Navy for 11 1/2 yrs.  Then, I looked @ the number of replies to your post and just rolled on the floor laughing my butt off!!   Oh, Honey, this was absolutely the best laugh I've had in a very long time.  You see, when I saw the number of replies to your post I was sudddenly struck by the humor of WHO you were asking and WHAT you were asking for!!  Lord O'Mercy, Honey, when you post an open ended discussion asking Navy Mom's for advice you will now know you might have just as well asked for water in a rain storm!!!  hahahah!!!   Oh, God Bless you, Child!!  You, by now, have surely recieved advice on everything under the sun!!!   And it "ain't over yet!"   lol!!!!  Now I'm sure you are genuine in your request for help, so don't get me wrong here, it's not you that I'm laughing at.  It US! Us Navy MOMS!!  My goodness, we'll give you advice on everything from canning and quilting in hard times to where and how to park at PIR!!  hahah!!!!   So you surely don't need my advice BUT, I'll give it any way. (hahahahahahahahah!!!!  See?? What did I tell you? LOL!)  Now I'm laughing again!   The only advice I'd give you is this; know that when they gripe or complain they don't want your input, they really just want to vent to someone 'safe' and any time he goes away or comes home no matter what he says, be there and watch the ship leave or arrive.  It won't ever get easy but it will do all of you a world of good and will never fail to make your heart proud. In addition, it will give your child a sense of pride in her 'Daddy' like nothing you can ever say with words. When you stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder with other wives and families in those bitter-sweet moments of good-bye's and welcome home's you will know that you are not alone in the feelings & experiences you'll have while he's away.  You are not alone.   Maybe that's the advice I would be most wise to offer you, NavyWife.   Know that you are not alone. 

Furthermore, I hope you will also know that there are those American's out there who are praying for you, your husband and your child.  People who love this country and who are grateful every day for not only your husband's service but also the sacrifice, the cost to your family for his service.  There will always be those who are grateful and who will be praying for each of you.  There are even many Americans who's gratitude will go beyond prayers and acknowledgement.  So, remember to reach out to those people around you if and when you ever need help (with ANYthing) as a result of your husband's Navy service.  The people around us can only help and do their part for this country when we ALLOW them the opportunity to do so.    Alright, I'll stop right here with the "advice" NavyWife, but I thank YOU so much for the wonderful, belly laugh this morning.  My goodness, I don't think I've laughed that hard in quite awhile.  God Bless you, Honey, and good luck to you and your husband.  You are already doing great - you're reaching out!! 

Love and Prayers, Beverly Staton

[Navy_Wife 914 (Ship 09, Div 330)]

Well, i'm glad you got a good laugh! LOL

Thank you for the advice and the kind words! It really means ALOT when you are having a hard day and you read that people are praying for you and your family.  I appreciate any advice or knowledge you or anyone has on this situation.  Because until this website, I was clueless!

Thanks again!

[Yenni24 (Ship11div196)]

Hi there - just came across your post..how are you holding up? My husband has been gone since April 10th..he's since then graduated from boot camp and A school..and is currently in C school..We have a 2yr old son (he'll be 3 in November) and a 3month old daughter.. Every day is a different challenge but I'm holding it together so far! My husband finds out next week what his orders will be after he graduates Dec 21st - I'm praying we can come with him wherever it is! Anyway I hope you & your daughter are doing well..I'm here to chat if you need to!!