Dealing with an empty nest

[pamelag]

Today is 06-20-2012, my name is Pam and my son Waylon left out for boot camp, he arrived in Chicago at 8:30pm. If anyone read this please don't hesitate to share give ideas. I really wasn't  prepared for his leaving, let's just say reality has really started to kick in. I am not ashamed to tell it but I have been crying like a baby all day and miss him a lot already. On my job I work late hours and get off 2 days at 10:00 pm and 2 days at 2:00am, each time I got off he heard the car pull in the drive and came out to help me with my bag and I will miss that a lot. One thing that helps me is when I took him to MEPS he said Mom all I want is a smoothie, because there is no telling when I will get another one. He is the last of all the stepchildren and my two and I have to let go some how. I keep telling myself that this will help him become a better person and a responsible one. Thanks for reading    

[pamelag]

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions and I will give the emptynesters a try when I get the PIR date. May God bless you and your sailor. Cyber hug back at you!

[Bathan6]

My son left on June 5, and he is my first (of 4) to leave the nest, and it has been and is hard, the hardest for me was when I got his box of clothes... BUT just remember after the box comes the form letter with his address, ad then a letter from him...I would like to say it does get easier, but when I got his first letter today, I could feel the homesickness in his letter, so keep writing, and send pictures and clippings. and soon it will be over then you can see him at his PIR

[Jennifer]

I know how you're a feeling! It's been 3 years this month since "my baby" left for boot camp and I still miss him like crazy every day. I thought i'd lose it the day we drove him to the bus but it wasnt until a week or two later that it really hit hard.

The first few months were the hardest, but keeping myself busy was the key. I lived for letters during boot camp and phone calls after that. He's stationed in Guam, so Skype and Facebook have been a Godsend. I've only seen him a handful of times in the last 3 years but knowing that he LOVES his Navy life and is doing everything he dreamed he would helps.

Hang in there, it gets easier!

[Pooks]

My daughter has been in the Navy for a little over 8 years now. When she left I stood in the door of her room and cried many many nights. She has gone through 3 deployments and the surge. She has also gone on many dets. Dets are detachments where they go to another base and work there for several weeks. As the time passes it does get easier. It was easier for me when my other daughter joined the AF. I still cried and missed her, but realized at the same time how proud of them I was. I do not recommend sending cards that talk or sing. My youngest had to dance and sing with them in boot camp lol. Send cards daily if you can, even if they just say I love you and miss you. Pictures are also great things to send. Once they are out of boot camp and can have their phones back get ready for daily calls and/or emails. Keep yourself busy doing things and groups like this are lifesavers. Stay strong and you will get through this!

[ship 14 division 317]

i went through alot as well..it was hard and still is hard to cope my daughter has been gone since august 6th it is now going on 3 wks and everyday i miss her more but i keep telling myself she is makin a better life for herself and she deserves the best.. keep thinking the best and how strong and positive your kid will return ....

 

[Robby's Mom]

Hi Pam. I know that was months ago so I hope that you are adjusting now and feeling a little better. I think it is just hard for all moms but harder on some of us. My son just went in 4 weeks ago. His PIR is 10/12. I am going through the same thing. It has been a year of changes for me personally and Robert leaving was just not what I was ready for. We are a very close family. Just when I thought I would be able to adjust he made his call home and I wasn't there to receive it. He did leave a message though and I could hear in his voice that he needed to hear from me as much as I needed to hear from him.Now I'm back to square one emotionally and I find myself crying all the time. I do know that he is in good hands though and he too will benefit from this. I am just hoping to hear that the feeling I have right now will mature into something more positive. I have found a lot of comfort in the chat room at Navy4Moms. I don't talk much but I read and see I'm not the only mom having a hard time.

 

[Pennadair]

I, too, am dealing with an empty nest.  My son left on November 1, and I have not made it an entire day without crying.  I had no idea it would be this difficult!  When does it start getting better, or does it?

[Angela mom of Bryce]

Hang in there how you are feeling is normal.  I also have a empty nest since my son has joined.  He has been in for 7 months and I still miss him everyday.  I didn't think it was gonna effect me the way it did too.  I am a night owl and I am here if you need to talk.  Take care and God Bless.