My son just left yesterday

[mamakitty]

Hello all. My son just left for BC yesterday and it's been so hard for me! I find myself crying looking into his room, at the grocery store (not buying his favorite things), and I am even half tempted to sleep with one of his blankets :(

I work from home, and had him home with me for these past couple months since his high school graduation. He was my friend and helper throughout the day and now he's not here :(

I want to start writing to him right away.. can anyone give me advice on things to say and not say? I really worry about boot camp for him. Obviously I can't say that to him though. He has a lot of siblings that miss him too! I will include things from them as well.

Please tell me this gets better?? I am completely heartbroken that he has left (he's our first to leave the house, and to leave to join the Navy really freaked me out at first!!) I guess I'm just needing other moms in the same boat to go through this with!

Thanks ladies

[Bobbie]

I was a wreck when my son left.  My mind rarely strayed from Great Lakes!  I missed him terribly and I was also dealing with the empty nest sadness.  My first real letter from him came 3 wks and 1 day after he left and I laughed and cried all the way through it.  That same night came his first phone call home...6 minutes and 30 seconds long.  That phone call determined how I would handle the rest of boot camp.  He had gotten 9 letters from me all at once on the previous Friday and was so happy to get news from home.  Then his voice got real quiet and he said "but there's more coming, right mom?"  I realized at that point that what I thought of as stupid and mundane daily news from home was incredibly important to him.  Not so much the news itsself but the daily reminder that we are thinking about him and supporting him.  I went into "mom mode" and made it my mission to send him letters every day but they all included an extra page with jokes, stories and local updates.  I even sent him a letter that had a picture of his girlfriend holding the dog...the letter was from the dog stating that she was all her's now.  It was so random and stupid and he said it was the dumbest thing he'd ever seen but he pulled it out and laughed at it every time he was feeling down. 

It's ok and normal to feel sad and miss him but remember to be his biggest strongest cheerleader!! It's ok to tell him you miss him and then follow that up with a proud mom message. It WILL get better...for him and you. We went through the progression of his comments from I want this, I'm homesick, this sucks, I hate this place, I did great in inspections, I'm a better shot than I thought I would be, we are pulling it together, I look sexy in my dress uniform, almost done, and the best one "I'm a sailor, Mom".  He just graduated 2 wks ago and yours will soon, too! :)

[sulleygma11]

Hang in there angellchristine, we are all here for you!  My son left the 23rd of September and was my first child to leave home.  I will tell you that the first few days were absolutely horrible and the first grocery shopping trip was the worst but the days since have gotten easier.  We have received our form letter and just today our first personal letter.  It truly helps to know they are okay.  Not talking to them everyday is a very hard adjustment, especially if you are accustomed to it.  The best advice is to use this site as your sounding board, your crutch and your motivation.  This site got me through the very dark initial first days and I rely on it heavily along with facebook pages I have found to get a lot of useful information.  Good luck on your journey and welcome to the Navy Moms family!

[hishippygirl]

My son left on Monday.  I miss him so much but I actually feel so much better than I did in those couple of days right before he left.  Waiting just to say goodbye was so hard.  Knowing he is doing what he dreamed of doing for so long helps me feel more at peace.  I started writing to him yesterday even though I know I can't mail letters yet.  When I do finally get that address I will send them along.  No "box" yet.  I can't decide if I'm dreading seeing his things or if it will feel like a little piece of him.  Hugs to all you moms.  We are gonna get through it!

[AustinsMom1995]

My son just left today! I have not really cried very much, until today. I tried to stay strong for him. He is also, my first of two boys two leave home. I received my scripted phone call about an hour ago, and just broke down! I am so proud of him, but worried for him at the same time!! It's hard letting them go!! I hope your son does well in boot camp too!!!

[anasazigypsy]

I found this tonight and thought it was awesome. Been two weeks two days for me since SR left. Some days are better than others http://navyformoms.com/forum/topics/1971797:Topic:783226

[mamakitty]

Thank you! Love this!!

[beaulieu1]

I really understand, my son left on October 1st and it has been really hard for me too.  I went and bought encouraging cards to send. I felt the cards would help me stay focused at being happy for him. I wonder all the time what he is doing hoping that he gets it all.  I am so brokenhearted but I will not let him know that. I did get my letter today and I know that he graduates on Nov. 26th. I will see him for Thanksgiving hopefully.  I also sent you a friend request.

[lemonelephant]

Join PIR 11/26/2014 TG 03 to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit. Yes, he will have Liberty on Thanksgiving Day.

Check your My Page.

[1BlessedNavyMom]

My son left on Oct 8th for GL. He has never lived away from home so I understand your heartache. I even slept in his bed last night. I know that might sound pathetic but he is my youngest & we have always been close. I have periods where I just start crying & I can't stop.

Just know that we are all here for each other. Hugs to you

[Barbie (Tommy's mom)]

I haven't slept in my son's bed BUT I have worn one of his favorite pairs of sweat pants to lounge around in every night since he left. In my last letter to him (which I can't mail yet) I told him he may have no civilian clothes left once his girlfriend, sister and I take what we want. HAHA! (My son left Oct. 6th for GL)

[Oceanslayer]

My son left 10/8 also. We all miss him so much. I know he has dreamed of being in the military since he was little. That seems to bring me some comfort. I just keep praying for him an all the other young adults at boot camp. Have you heard when there PIR (graduation) date is going to be?

[lemonelephant]

By counting 9 Fridays, PIR will most likely be 12/05/2014, but you will have to wait on the form letter to know for sure. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC.