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It has been so hard not to cry at everything that I see that reminds me of my daughter since she left 5 days ago.  I feel bad because she is doing the hard part, she has to be the tough one, and I keep breaking down.  I want things to get back to a normal state of sorts so that I can be ready for her next call and be encouraging.  I also have my other daughter to be there for.  Any suggestions?  I have been writing her a letter everyday, will that be embarrassing for her to get a stack of them all at once from her mom?  thanks for any help or suggestions!

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Thank you so much!  I have been writing her everyday and the stack is growing!  It's day 8.  I texted her recruiter to see if he can get me her address.  He is supposed to get back to me.  I have looked at her facebook and wrote about anything I have seen that she might be interested in knowing.  I have been getting better, not crying anymore but just thinking that this has been what she wanted since she was 12.  I know she will be good!  I thank you for all of your support!

It has only been 8 days. The average time it takes to receive The Form Letter is 10 days. Be patient and wait.

Reasons to wait on the form letter:

1. The PAO at the RTC asks that loved ones wait on the form letter before mailing letters. http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/fam_guide.asp 

2. The recruiter does not always give the right address and letters that do not have the correct address may be returned or may be delayed several weeks in getting to your recruit since it will not be a high priority for those in the mail room to look up the correct information.

3. Even if you do have the correct information, your recruit will not receive letters that are mailed before receiving the form letter much quicker, if at all, than letters mailed after receiving the form letter because recruits do not receive mail until they are in their permanent ship and a Recruit Mail Petty Officer is trained. The first Mail Call is on day 1-3 or 1-4 DOT.

***If it has been at least 2 calendar weeks since your SR arrived at the RTC and you don't have the form letter, then yes, it fine to get the address from the recruiter and send letters. Double-check the info against that at http://bootcamp.navy.mil/contact_recruit.asp or Ship/Division--How it Works.

Don't worry about the number of letters you send and encourage others to write as well. Letters are like gold to the recruits. See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

I'm not sure about other moms, but I am writing to my son every day starting today ( he flew out this morning). I think lots of moms and families write a lot - I feel bad for the recruits that get little to no mail. I cried so much saying goodbye - I should take out stock in Kleenex! We all need to be strong like our children!

There are ways to send letters to those recruits who get little or no mail. See the suggestions in Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit and Letter-Writing Navy Moms.

I love this site!

:o)

I had the same problem--my son left April 1st.  He is my baby and we are really close so it's been hard to be separated without communication.  I got his box within a few days and that was a really weird feeling because it is everything he left with, which wasn't much.  I got his address from his recruiter and started sending letters every day as have other friends and family, not knowing if they made it there or not.  I found out later you can't always trust the address the recruiter gives you, but I really had nothing to lose--the mail would have simply been returned.  In any case, I got the form letter between 8-10 days after he left, which made me cry too because he scribbled a quick "I love and miss you guys" across the bottom.  Luckily, I found out then that my address was correct, so I have been writing him every single day without fail.  He was able to call me this past weekend and we had about 10 minutes to talk--he said it's a lot of pressure, and they usually cry when they hear your voice.  I was afraid to let my phone out of my sight because you never know when they will be able to call!  I gave him lots of encouragement, told him he can do it, and made him laugh a bit.  He said the letters he gets keep him going.  He had a friend who wasn't getting any mail and was really upset, so he was sharing his mail with him.  I can't stress how important that is to these guys/girls--this is their only contact with the outside world.  You can never send too many cards or letters, funny pictures, things that will interest them.  It's a little bit of home in an envelope.  I feel much better now that I heard from him, and funny enough, when I got the mail that day, there were my first two letters from him!  I can hardly wait for May 30th! 

Its been super hard for me as well. My son left a week ago today. I received his box Monday and waiting for the letter anxiously. I wrote him a letter today tried to stay as positive and encouraging as I could but kept finding myself telling him how much we miss him.

While you are missing your son and I am sure he is missing you, remember that he is also missing:

Everyone else in the family including pets.

His home, his room, his privacy.

His friends, his car, having fun.

His favorite foods, tv shows, sports, music, video games

EVERYTHING THAT WAS HIS LIFE!

Please don't make it any harder on him than it already is by making him feel guilty for your hurt.

I decided to treat it like I'm in boot camp too. The Navy has been training me to be a strong supporter of my SR, to understand communication is spotty or non-existent sometimes, to learn what I can about the Navy so when my son talks to me I can have an intelligent conversation with him about his goals for his future. This is a time of growth and change for you too! I bawled my eyes out some days, but I found it easier as time passed and I learned more. I will always be concerned and want to be there for him. But my tears have been a lot less. And let me tell you, when you get the 'I'm a Sailor' those tears will be proud and happy tears. Hang in there :) 

I feel your pain! My daughter started bootcamp on April 16th and this has got to be the hardest thing both her and I have been thru. Everything you mentioned is what I'm experiencing as well. I received her box today and I just start crying again. I'm trying to be as patient as possible while waiting for her letters and call but I find myself breaking down... I just pray she's doing well and that she doesn't have too much time on her hands to wonder about things back home and make herself sick.

I noticed your daughter left about the same time how nice would it be if they're together and talking about their moms while we're talking about them :-)

Keep positive and good luck!

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