bootcamp

[jessmom]

my daughter left today 12/12 for boot camp in great lakes  she is 21 years old but i feel lost without her already. it just feels so different then when she went away for college.i know there are many people that go through this everyday. its just so hard for me, i work with two people who have had their young men go away and i really dont think they felt the way im feeling. Im told by some of my family members that i need to grow up. she is a adult and this is the life she has chosen. i think its more that im not gonna be able to talk to her when i want to, and have her come home for those special occasions. when something does bother her i want to know that and be able to help her through those times and im not gonna be able to do that all the time. i do know i have to loosen those aprons strings but boy it sure is hard. as im writing this she is sitting at ther airport in harrisburg pa....plane leaves at 5:20 will arrive in chicago and from there take a bus to great lakes. the time zone is different there, she said it will be about 10:30 their time when she calls so i will make sure im up at 11:30 our time (new york). i will make sure i dont fall asleep at 9:00 tonight. i would love to hear from any mother whose child has left today for great lakes, im just curious how many mothers children may be with mine and from anyone that might beable to let me know that im not inmature about this in general. im very proud in the choice she has made to serve our country, its just gonna take a little bit of time to adjust to it.

[Margaret 07/078]

My daughter will be leaving on the Jan 9.  I am so proud of her, She to is my pride and joy as well as my best friend.

This will be the first time she will leave home...   It's so hard to let go..

 

[tucker2]

I totally understand, as you can see above. My daughter left 12-13 and if it wasn't for this site, I don't know how I would have gotten up the next morning. Just keep coming back to this site. there are so many people here to help you through it. The hardest thing I have ever done was leave her in San Diego.

[momofchris]

My son left the same day and is in Great Lakes too, he is 19, my first born son and my buddy. My life is sooo lost without him so I know how you feel. I got my call from him at 12:05 our time and that is the last I talked to him, my BooHoo box came on that Friday, I wanted to die when I got it. You are far from inmature because I feel the same way, I dont know if I can go another day without talking to him, but I have 2 other children and have to get out of bed for them. All I keep thinking is how I am gonna see him at his graduation on Feb. 17th. He said that he is making friends in a short letter he wrote on his grad. info and I can only hope he is friends with your daughter, for he would really make her laugh, that is the type of boy he is, always trying to put a smile on someone else's face. Hope this makes you feel better that someone else feels the same as you....

                                             Signed..... heart-broken mom.......lol

[tucker2]

I'm sure our kids will get along great then. My daughter was always the class clown & making everyone else smile. My couisn just got out of the Navy and the one piece of advice was to not smile so much or crack jokes.

[rstitt31]

my son is in boot camp right now and i know what you are feeling i've never had a day; where i've not been able to talk 2 him so i'm having a hard time adjusting to that fact and you are right we have to loosen the apron strings but being a mom who is close to thier children it's really hard to just live with the fact that we are not going to be able to be there all the time.

 

[allie1928]

Dear Jessmom:

My son left on December 6th.  We are very proud of our son and his decision to become a US SAILOR!  He has written us several letters and we have had 2 phone calls not including the call first night for about 10 seconds:)  He loves it!  We miss him so much but will be flying out to see him graduate on Feb. 3rd.  We can't wait to see him.  I cried for 2 weeks he is my youngest son....don't worry it will get easier... i cry everytime I get a letter  his letters are awesome so funny  ...Just be very proud and keep telling your daughter you support her and are proud of  choice!   Take care  allie 

 

[punkinsmom]

...no youre not immature at all.  my daughter was 23 when she left on that monday, that tuesday i was sick.  i just wrote a letter everyday until i received the address.  i numbered the letters that i wrote, so that when i got the address, yipee! they were sent.  it gets better once you recieve the phone call and the box.  then once the letters start flowing its great.  just write a letter whenever you feel the need, it helped me.  btw its is nothing like going off to college. send encouraging letters and jot down fond memories the both of you shared, that will put a smile on her face.  my daughter says she often laughs loud when she re-reads the letters. 

[Yolanda Porras]

Wow it is so awesome to hear that I am not the only one. I have a son that I am so close to he left Dec. 1st to L.A. to leave to the great lakes on Dec. 2nd and it was harder than I even imagined. But when I got his box. Wow I was in tears it hit me like a ton of bricks he is no longer my little boy he is a man, a sailor the Navy’s property and I was so upset to see that they even had him send his underwear. Really? I went thru all the stages of loss. This didn’t make me feel too good towards my husband when he pointed that out. LOL. I believe it is normal for mothers to feel that initial impact of separation. I believe that’s what makes our relationships with our children so unique and special. That closeness that security that we give them and I know for me I felt sad that he doesn't need me anymore he is all grown up and property of the Navy. The recruiters were excellent they called me to make sure I was okay and if I needed anything. I did receive one call from him and I felt like a weight was lifted he shared with me that he is now an E2. I am so proud of him. I was so worried and hearing his voice just reassured me he has it all under control he was prepared before going in. He is so awesome all of our children are truly special it takes special selfless people to do what they are doing this definitely is not for everyone. I want to say thank you so much just reading that I am not going thru this alone really makes me feel comforted. Thank you and God Bless you all.. I do my part in writting and keeping him up with what his little sisters are up to and how well his puppy is doing. I do wake up and run to every ring on my home and cellphone since I got that suprise call. Thank you again. Yolanda :)

[SamsMom]

My daughter is also 21 and leaves on Feb. 13th.  I am already a nervous wreck so I totally understand your feelings!  Please update with your daughters progress so i will know what to expect in a few weeks! 

[rmrtz]

I was crying all last night and today. My daughter just left to Great Lakes Chicago for bootcamp. I missed her so much already. She is the world to me.

[Mary]

My daughter left today and I have not yet stopped crying. I pray this gets easier.

[Linda]

My son leaves January 17th- it is getting close and I am already in tears everyday. I am so proud of him and his committment to our country but it doesn't matter how old your children get....when they leave home, it is tough. I am going to do my best to let him know that I am proud of him, support hi 100% of the way and as I was always taught....as parents, we don't raise children, we raise adults and if we have done a good job, our children will be successful independent adults with goals and a life of their own that they choose.  So I am going to enjoy every minute I have with my son until he leaves and then I am going to start writing to him everyday until I see him again. Prayers to all of you going through this. I just pray that I can afford to go and watch him graduate! Being a single mom, it is tough financially. I will just die if I can't afford it!!!!!