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

[jaime3693]

Hi, My son left on 9/30. my situation is a little different than your, he is my baby. Last to leave home. It was tough. It will get better. You should receive a call from your son very soon to let you know he made it to the training center and check in and is ok. he will only be able to tell you a few things. This is what they call the "scripted call". I just received the first call from him today and he is doing fine. Your son should be able to receive mail immediately once you have his address. Make sure that your letter are all positive. When I write to my son i tell him about whats been going on here (good things only) and when i close the letter i tell him that i love and miss him and that i am very proud of him. just remember that your your son needs positive reinforcement. Let him know that you miss him but your doing fine and not to worry. you will also be receiving his box of things he took with him when he left. It will be an emotional day too. Just remember that we are all here with you and support you.

[lemonelephant]

jaime3693, I left info for you on your My Page.

[Navymom904]

I received the infamous "box" of his things.... very strange as a parent to have that arrive, and open it and see their clothes and the precious "life line" - cell  phone.  I am looking forward to receiving his letter, with high anticipation of his address so I can  send my letters to him, and of course the PIR date!   So many wonderful moments to look forward to - proud parent for sure!

[Oceanslayer]

When did your son arrive at GL. Mine arrived 10/8. I have not heard from his recruiter about his PIR date yet. No box yet. I sure do miss him the house is quite even though my daughter is still at home. Praying for all the recruits.

[lemonelephant]

Wait on the form letter for the address and PIR date.

[splash]

My daughters clothing was not folded either and she is a neat freak so im sure they were rushed

[FlBroomie]

When I read your post it was like I had written it. I too have a home business and my son was a great help with it.  I have 4 sons and he is the youngest and the only one to go into the military. He used to go with me grocery shopping and I have been avoiding going since he left the same day as your son.

I too find little things set off the tears. It's even had an effect on my business!

I know he will be fine but I still worry. 

Maybe our sons will be shipmates

This site is helping me a lot even though I am finding it a little hard to get the answers I want since there are so many posts.

We will get through this I am sure!

[Christine Proud Son of ET]

Hello, My son left for BC in May and his PIR (graduation) was on 7/18.  I felt EXACTLY like you are feeling.  I remember the day he left and sitting there watching as he walked away.  I kept it together in front of him but as I drove away I completely lost it.  I was crying so hard I couldn't breath.

He had been home with me since graduation as well.  I slept in his room.  He was my friend and helper.  

I did start writing him right away.  In fact, I wrote him throughout the day on weekends and every evening during the week even though I didn't have his address yet.  I wrote him about what was going on during the day, how I felt, kept him up to date on sporting events, etc.  He is a huge basketball fan and the Warriors were in the playoffs so I would download articles from the internet and include them.  I also sent a few small pictures.

He will need your support and your letters are a great inspiration to them.  Hearing you tell him you believe in him, are proud of them, etc. is what helps get them through.  My husband and his brother also wrote him.  I would send him "miss you" cards and I also found some great military cards to send.  He loved those!!!

I now understand that when our sons/daughters join the military that they do sacrifice so much, however, so do we as mothers. 

I had to take an extra day off work after he left because I just sat on the couch and cried.  I went to the grocery store where I would always buy fish for him for dinner...something he loved...and I broke out into tears and sat in the isle and sobbed. 

I don't know if they told you but you will get "the box" which will contain the clothes he left with.  This will bring another flood of emotions.  I found that watching the videos of what goes on at boot camp was very helpful. I think it helps to know what they are doing and going through.  It is the unknown that is the worst.

Take care and Navy hugs!

[Coach Shelia]

Sending prayers and well wishes your way today and forever! I promise, it does get easier, come on here and learn as much as you can. You will meet many who have been there. You will make friends! We live in a different world than when I went to Army bootcamp. I called my Mama when you had to use change for payphones! LOL Now the cell phone,Facebook, emails and everything will help you through. I promise it gets better! Navy Mom Strong! HOOYAH!

[mamakitty]

Thank you everyone!!

It's still hard, but I still have his 7 siblings here so that does help to keep me busy!

I'm hoping and expecting to get his box today... so we'll see how that goes! I'm writing to him everyday and encouraging his siblings to write too! I feel badly that I forgot to send him off with a calling card :( So I'm not sure how that will effect him while there. I'm trying to remain positive.. but man not being able to talk to him and find out how he's doing is killing me! I'm an overprotective mama for sure!

I appreciate everyone's responses, it helps so so much!

[Navymom904]

hello navy.mom

I received calling cards for my son, through this site somehow.  I'm not sure what exact page, now. Its been a while.   However I did receive a couple extra and told my son to please share them with a fellow recruit should someone need to call home and cant. I do hope (and pray) our boys bump into one another,  my son will share. (I'm still trying to figure out the calling...if/when they are given time.)  He's a giving person.   Chin up, it will be alright.   :o)

  

[lemonelephant]

You can get free calling cards (actually a phone number and PIN) at http://callsforrecruits.org/. Recruit Man - Ronny provides those through that website if you email him at [e-mail] and ask for them. There is more on that in Phone Cards and Phone Calls.