Our home officially became an empty nest on March 29th - Navy For Moms2024-03-28T13:28:14Zhttps://navyformoms.ning.com/forum/topics/our-home-officially-became-an-empty-nest-on-march-29th?groupUrl=emptynesters&commentId=1971797%3AComment%3A11289262&groupId=1971797%3AGroup%3A215028&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI just noticed this post from…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2021-07-27:1971797:Comment:112892622021-07-27T23:23:26.708ZTammy⚓️Girlhttps://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/TamieGirl
<p>I just noticed this post from <a class="nolink">April 3, 2016. I wasn't even a part of the Navy Mom community in 2016. My son's PIR was on 12/14/18. I am thankful he got through boot camp, school, and settled in his first placement in San Diego before Covid hit. But BlueMom11 is spot on -- I miss my son terribly. I often wonder how do people like the empty nest time in their life. I'm finding it kind of depressing. I work full time still and with Covid now do a few days a week at…</a></p>
<p>I just noticed this post from <a class="nolink">April 3, 2016. I wasn't even a part of the Navy Mom community in 2016. My son's PIR was on 12/14/18. I am thankful he got through boot camp, school, and settled in his first placement in San Diego before Covid hit. But BlueMom11 is spot on -- I miss my son terribly. I often wonder how do people like the empty nest time in their life. I'm finding it kind of depressing. I work full time still and with Covid now do a few days a week at home. In about 3-5 years I can retire and wondering if things will get more lonely. My husband just seems to be into watching TV and he is not very mobile as he has back issues. Stay strong Navy Moms. </a></p> Well, it's been 3 months for…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2018-07-07:1971797:Comment:104065172018-07-07T19:45:06.541ZBarbarahttps://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/Barbara924
<p>Well, it's been 3 months for you now. How are you dealing with things? My only daughter, who turned 18 her first week of BC, left on June 27th. I feel just like you did. Each day seems a little better, but I still walk into her room and bathroom every day and feel sad. She and I had been fighting like cats and dogs for the last 6 months.... maybe that was her way of emotionally detaching from me.... or that's what I'd like to think anyway. I thought I would celebrate and want to just…</p>
<p>Well, it's been 3 months for you now. How are you dealing with things? My only daughter, who turned 18 her first week of BC, left on June 27th. I feel just like you did. Each day seems a little better, but I still walk into her room and bathroom every day and feel sad. She and I had been fighting like cats and dogs for the last 6 months.... maybe that was her way of emotionally detaching from me.... or that's what I'd like to think anyway. I thought I would celebrate and want to just bust loose and go on a cruise. Instead I just cried for a week. And so did my husband. Although he also has been enjoying running around about naked and not locking our bedroom door.</p>
<p>At this point, I have only gotten The Box. I haven't even gotten the form letter with her mailing address. It has been difficult, but we are starting to look for fun things to do on Groupon and are planning a cruise for after her PIR. But as of yet, I haven't gotten over the hump.</p>
<p>So when did you start accepting the reality that, not only would your son be gone for boot camp, but that he would probably never live at home again and that things would never be the same? Like I said, on one hand, I couldn't wait for her to get the heck out. But now.... I'm just sad.</p> Thank you so much for the boo…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2018-06-15:1971797:Comment:103950352018-06-15T20:24:39.648Zbz74momhttps://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/bz74mom
<p>Thank you so much for the book recommendation ! im not much of a reader but I can tell you I certainly need to read this one. This is so much tougher than I ever imagined it would be. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for the book recommendation ! im not much of a reader but I can tell you I certainly need to read this one. This is so much tougher than I ever imagined it would be. </p> Hi Dawn - well that's nice th…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2017-03-30:1971797:Comment:101491662017-03-30T14:59:18.527ZB'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)https://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/Bsnukemom
<p>Hi Dawn - well that's nice that your daughter moved back closer to home! Sure makes it a little easier :) Our oldest is in VA (he's out of the Navy now - going to college there on his GI Bill). Our youngest graduated college last April and moved back home in October. It's been nice having him around (he's working FT but saving $$$ so he can move out with his buddy). Pop on to the main page and introduce yourself!</p>
<p>Hi Dawn - well that's nice that your daughter moved back closer to home! Sure makes it a little easier :) Our oldest is in VA (he's out of the Navy now - going to college there on his GI Bill). Our youngest graduated college last April and moved back home in October. It's been nice having him around (he's working FT but saving $$$ so he can move out with his buddy). Pop on to the main page and introduce yourself!</p> Thanks! Each day gets a tiny…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2016-04-07:1971797:Comment:93902012016-04-07T22:04:34.120ZBlueMom11https://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/BlueMom11
Thanks! Each day gets a tiny bit easier. Thank you for the reply, it does help.
Thanks! Each day gets a tiny bit easier. Thank you for the reply, it does help. Hi BlueMom - just noticed thi…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2016-04-07:1971797:Comment:93903112016-04-07T20:48:50.639ZB'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)https://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/Bsnukemom
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1927648300?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1927648300?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="220"></img></a> Hi BlueMom - just noticed this post. That's funny about your hubby! When my son left for BC back in 2012 (and younger son left for college) I took advantage and turned his room into a guest room with a nautical theme. That took up some time - painting & decorating. Had a lot of fun doing it.....</p>
<p>It does take some getting used to the kids being gone. I read…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1927648300?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="220" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1927648300?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/></a>Hi BlueMom - just noticed this post. That's funny about your hubby! When my son left for BC back in 2012 (and younger son left for college) I took advantage and turned his room into a guest room with a nautical theme. That took up some time - painting & decorating. Had a lot of fun doing it.....</p>
<p>It does take some getting used to the kids being gone. I read more now and of course spend more time on N4M lol! My sailor is out now but he stayed in VA and will be starting college in August - so 4 more years he'll be away (and most likely won't come home after that - he'll be 27 in June). And younger son is graduating college in 16 days but he's not planning on coming home either! Trust me though, the time goes by fast. We're all here for you ;-)</p> Thank you Joniana! I'm buying…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2016-04-05:1971797:Comment:93881832016-04-05T05:01:54.906ZBlueMom11https://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/BlueMom11
Thank you Joniana! I'm buying the book right away.
Thank you Joniana! I'm buying the book right away. Thank you for the positive re…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2016-04-05:1971797:Comment:93883122016-04-05T04:58:26.810ZBlueMom11https://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/BlueMom11
Thank you for the positive reinforcement. :)
Thank you for the positive reinforcement. :) Writing letters has helped me…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2016-04-04:1971797:Comment:93874552016-04-04T13:44:14.331Zknitterkahttps://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/knitterka
Writing letters has helped me. Poor thing was barraged with them. It helped him too. After boot camp you can send care packages.<br />
Boot camp is a hard experience for them as well so writing daily and there getting a daily letter telling them how proud you are and being encouraging is a big boost. You can just say that over and over, it's that they get a letter as much as what it says.<br />
Graduation is worth going to. We stayed at the Residence Inn where they had a kitchen. I cooked on their little…
Writing letters has helped me. Poor thing was barraged with them. It helped him too. After boot camp you can send care packages.<br />
Boot camp is a hard experience for them as well so writing daily and there getting a daily letter telling them how proud you are and being encouraging is a big boost. You can just say that over and over, it's that they get a letter as much as what it says.<br />
Graduation is worth going to. We stayed at the Residence Inn where they had a kitchen. I cooked on their little stove all his favorites. Think of that and what you would make / do.<br />
After boot camp there's A school at possibly a different location. As where that may be and look into being able to visit there or provide your sailer information on that area. Mine went to Groton Conn and loved going to NYC during passes.<br />
Is your going subs or surface, what rate? Just be proud they are taking this step and be strong, they miss you too.<br />
Now that my son is deployed I have what I think of as the collection box, I have it on the table and add things that I want to show him or discuss. When it gets close to his being back I'll send it to his PO box, along with cookies, candy etc. I always send enough to share using a flat rate box. Many of the guys don't have home support so it's nice to have them share. Home made cookies are a gear universal bartering tool!<br />
All that said, clean their room, box up stuff they may want to get sent for A School like some normal clothes, sterio, etc. they'll be in a dorm room and will have limited space. Ironically my sailors favorite was having his sheets back and a good blanket. It's always the little things. BlueMom11 -- I totally get yo…tag:navyformoms.ning.com,2016-04-04:1971797:Comment:93875072016-04-04T12:39:57.902ZJoniana (Helen)https://navyformoms.ning.com/profile/Joniana
<p>BlueMom11 -- I totally get your feeling (and I'm a much older mom). There's a terrific book called Beyond the Mommy Years by Carin Rubenstein. You can get a used copy on Amazon for $0.01 plus shipping! …</p>
<p>BlueMom11 -- I totally get your feeling (and I'm a much older mom). There's a terrific book called Beyond the Mommy Years by Carin Rubenstein. You can get a used copy on Amazon for $0.01 plus shipping! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0446580805/ref=sr_1_1_twi_har_1_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459773350&sr=1-1&keywords=beyond+the+mommy+years" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0446580805/ref=sr_1_1_twi_har_1_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459773350&sr=1-1&keywords=beyond+the+mommy+years</a></p>
<p>It talks about the different stages of moving on after your kids leave. I've read it a couple of times and always find it helpful. The empty-nest stuff really didn't it me until my son graduated from Prototype and moved to his permanent station. It's up and down, but it does eventually get better. Take care. </p>