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I hope someone can respond and give me a few words of encouragement on how they got through the days immediately after their son/daughter left. I feel like I'm not going to be able to function.  Any advice is appreciated.

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I love this idea. My daughter leaves for Boot Camp on Dec. 2. I think your idea of journaling might be the perfect idea for me. If I do it just right, she might want to actually read it some day too.  Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much, my son leaves today for the hotel and I am going to by a new journal today. This is a must for all moms. It will mean so much to him and sounds very therapeutic for me. Plus he will be able to seem like he didn't miss the family life as much. Plus he will know we had him in our hearts every single day. God Bless you cjzapp.

my son also leaves for the hotel today! I am a mess.. where are you from??

From Atlanta.  It is truly a different experience and only other people that have went through it understands.  People that haven't will listen to you and say things like they know what you are feeling, but they don't.  They don't get it.  I am happy that this is an outlet for people who share the same experiences and feelings so they will not feel all alone.

Yes Writing totally helps. As long as he knows you are there. He will be fine.  Keep me posted!

Hi Bisbee.....I stayed busy too, cleaned a lot of closets, did some "mucking" out of things I didn't need anymore, pots, pans, old pillows, knicky-knacky things ....it helped me embrace a new life for me too, a "transition" to a new life for me and my son....he was going thru changes, I wanted to go thru some changes also....of course I did NOT throw anything of his away!  lol!!  start cutting out comics or jokes out of the newspaper...get ready to mail those to boot camp, they need a laugh, and they pass that kind of stuff around in the barracks.  (nothing political, racy or in bad taste) Also cut out local news items too, if its something he/she might be interested in....stack 'em up and get ready to mail them, one by one, in each letter....lifts up their spirits a bit.  I sent my son a few snowman cartoons from the Sunday paper while he was in boot during a harsh winter, 5 years ago..

Also know in your heart he/she are following their own path, and spreading those wonderful wings you helped nurture.  Can you imagine if he/she just hung out with you and stayed home until the age of 45 or something??!  None of us want that -- we WANT our kids to see the world (and they will, believe me), meet new people, experience other cultures and make new (lifelong) friends.....we just find it a bit lonely and unsettling at first...  DE E P B R E A T H...you raised your child well, with love and taught them the sense of ADVENTURE and Self Confidence!  Your son/daughter is doing what WE all did as kids....moved on out from Mama's wing...and carved our own future for ourselves.  We all made a few mistakes, stumbled a bit, and he/she will too  - BE PROUD NavyMOM!  YOU did it - you raised a fine youngster! (and time will indeed heal, really it will)  After boot, communication will be SO much better!  Also, scroll down to the events on the right side of this page...see Blue Candle Event??  go there and read a bit too...light a blue candle in your home/work (any kind of Blue candle)  Blue is for Navy, and feel the comfort of the flickering flame's warm glow....I have one at work and on my kitchen window sill....I light it when I'm feeling lonely, or when my son is going thru a challenging time, or on his birthday, all holidays, or while he's deployed. It soothes me, it really does. 

Bravo Zulu to you and your Recruit!   ya done Good Mama!

Wow - thank you Bravo Zulu so much for your kind words! My high school senior just enlisted and I'm having a hard time to adjusting.  He still has the rest of his senior year left and I already have a lump in my throat and tears just thinking about when he leaves! Your reply gives me HOPE and practical advice.  Thank you!

That is beautiful, my son had PIR Friday and left today for A school. It was wonderful to see him and see the changes in him, he was so worried about getting back on time it was comical, but wonderful. 8 weeks at boot camp was tough, he's not a letter writer so I was lucky to receive 5 (including a multiple choice/fill in the blank one I found on here and doctored.
I know that I'm going to continue to miss him, even with the increased ability to have contact, but you also make another good point that resonates with me...it's their time to leave, make mistakes, and live their lives.
Thanks for the advice on going forward after boot

bisbee73 i was a WRECK! our daughter is our only child and we were both so depressed the first couple days...the empty room is the worst ever :( but time really helps!! Let your emotions run their course and let yourself cry and BE PROUD!! We are still really missing her this week but we are doing so much better and can't wait to get the PIR form letter any day now!! start planning graduation if you are going to that...that will be comforting :)

Hi Bisbee73,

My son just left on Nov. 7th as well.  I have been a basket case since he left too.  I keep wondering what he is doing and how he is handling all the challenges he is facing.  His Dad received the box with his belongings that he took with him today and I am so glad he did not send the package to me.  I don't think I could have handled opening it. I worry about him every minute and can't wait to hear from him next.  I guess we need to hang in there and by the sounds of things, write a lot of letter.

My oldest just left this week... Nov. 12th. His box came today already! Although this is the first time I have posted I have been on the site a lot...soaking in the information! He was not supposed to leave until Feb 5th, but there was a spot open, so we really only had about three weeks to prepare. I found the post about the tradition of lighting a blue candle so I went out and bought one today. There are several Navy moms in my community...there kids are all Sailors now and they all went to high school together. I helped them through...mostly just listening and they have been there for me too. Everyone says the time goes by fast...I am sure I will say that too...after! I wrote my first letter today and it really did help!

 

I feel dumb, can you share the blue candle tradition with me?  Thanks!  Best of luck!

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