Avoided Like the Plague

[Heidi]

I was all gung ho when I joined this group 6 months ago, but then got increasing overwhelmed, felt like I was lost, didn't have time to read all the posts, etc, etc, etc.  Basically, I was avoiding the inevitable.

My daughter left on August 4.  I cried so much that I'm pretty sure I could have remedied the California drought.  I still have NOT received a letter from her.  I'm getting very discouraged.

I feel like I'm so out of the loop and not up-to-par as I should be as a NavyMom.  I'm so proud of her, but I feel like a total failure.  Can someone please give me baby steps to start off with?

[Dyna63]

The daughter that joined game me this site information so I could join and have support, however, I felt much like you, overwhelmed and not able to navigate the site well and not enough time to sit down and become comfortable with it.  I browsed here and there and joined the facebook family, which helped immensely.  What I did find on my browsing sessions was many people that felt like I did, others that were old hands at it and everyone there to support you while you handle this journey.  I also relied on my other daughter that lives on the opposite coast (going to college) to get through boot camp.

Although I haven't jumped in a lot I find comfort reading what others have written. So with that I will write what I know helped me and I hope it helps you some too.  I still don't understand all the lingo, in my whole she is "doing that thingy, where she works with that what-cha-ma-call-it"

Write her everyday and mail them,  Write like you are talking to her, I did and sometimes I would guess my daughters answer and she said it made her laugh. Your daughter might have an extra job during boot camp that takes up her time so she might not be able to write. But I know she is thinking about you.  I told her about something to do with her cat and she said when she hid under the covers to read it, she had to stifle giggling. 

Read post  when you can

Ask questions when you don't get it, even if you ask several times. 

One thing you have here is a whole new family where everyone here has gone through what you are going through.  You will find a lot of strength from this site and if you join others on facebook.