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SON LEAVING MONDAY FOR BOOTCAMP
My son leaves for bootcamp on Monday. He was originally scheduled for December 20th. Before Christmas, but close enough that we could have had an early Christmas and it would have felt like it. We were only told a couple weeks ago that they would be moving up the date and then only yesterday that it would be Monday. I keep crying like a little baby. It seems so silly because it isn't like he'll be gone forever. My husband and younger son think I'm silly for crying, but I can't seem to help myself. Are there any other mothers out there struggling with this?
They say it's empty nest, but I still have my younger son around. I guess I just worry how my older son will handle bootcamp. He made this choice all on his own and we support him completely and are extremely proud of him. He keeps counting down the days and telling me to see my reaction I think. I have tried not to cry around him even though he knows I will come Monday.
I would appreciate hearing from any mothers who have been there or are there now.
Views: 11182
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by natalie'smom on
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As all the other ladies on here that have been through this said to stay on this site it helps a lot. My daughter arrived in Great Lakes on Octorber 26th and that was the hardest day of my life to me to let my baby girl go I cried like a baby, but I knew in my heart that she wanted to join the Navy, but it was still hard. She was a depper for 11 months before she left and then all of the sudden the day was here for her to leave for boot camp. Her PIR date is 12/29/11 and I cannot wait to see her. This was the first Thanksgiving and Christmas she has been away and the longest she has been away from home. I am still haivng a hard time getting the Christmas decorations up, but working on it because we a a 5 year old as well.
Just hang in there ladies I still have my emotional days, but it does get easier believe me. Start writing letters to your SR's now and when you get there address you can send them all the letters you wrote. They live for getting letters from home with the words of encouragement. My daughter also loved getting pictures of family. I write her everyday and I also have become a mailbox stalker LOL....Stay on this site ladies everyone on here is amazing and you will make new friends during this time
God Bless you all
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Permalink Reply by paces on
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Good evening...This is a great site. It has really helped me get through all the tough times. Our son is in RCU (medical unit). He broke his leg at the end of his 4th week and has been progressing through the recovery phases. He is hopefully in Phase 4 of 4 this week. We are praying his leg has healed enough to complete his last PST and Battle stations so he can finish on the 16th. It has been a long 31/2 months. I can tell you we went through all the emotions you are experiencing. We are also mailbox stalkers. Every Thursday to be exact. One of the most important things is to write encouraging letters and tell them how proud you are of them. It has been especially hard on ours because he went through a period of real depression and feeling like he let everyone down. I write everyday as best as I can. I have been a little slack these past two weeks and have missed a day or two, but he is sounding so much more positive than in weeks prior. He can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It won't be too long before you get the letter with his/her address. But, they won't let them have letters for about two weeks. Mail them anyway. They will get them all. Just don't send anything too cutesy. The SR's(that's what our recruits are called) will be given a hard time.
We will be praying for you all as you join this unbelievable venture. It will all be worth it in the end. Visit this site often. You will make wonderful friends and get lots of support and encouragement. We are all in this together.
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Permalink Reply by LuvMySailor!~Michelle on
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Even tho I can talk to my son when he is in port, I miss the mail-box stalking! And my post-lady is NOT a nice lady!!
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Permalink Reply by PopwouldbeProud Ship11 Div65 on
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My son left today, Dec. 7 to stay overnight in a hotel near MEPS and then flies to Great Lakes tomorrow. He's been a DEPPER since May. It's been a long wait for him, and I know he's excited and probably a little apprehensive about boot camp. He'll be going to Monterrey for Crypto school, and that's what he's really psyched about.
I am grateful for this site, and will probably look to you all for support and advice as I learn how to be a Navy Mom. I'm really proud of him, and I am totally confident that this is a great path for him, but I'm also feeling so sad about having to let go of this stage of my own life. I don't know where the time went, and I'm already missing my little boy...
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Permalink Reply by JK's FAMILY on
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My son left yesterday, December 7th. It has been a bittersweet time for sure. My mother's heart is proud & heavy at the same time. Then, I stop and give myself an attitude adjustment as I remember he is following his dream. Frankly, I don't understand who would signup for this. However, I am so very, very grateful for everyone in the past, present & future who have fought for our freedom. I know he has a tough journey ahead and I also know he is ready in mind, body & spirit. He's a great guy and this experience will make him even greater. So now our family will adjust to our "new normal" as one of our own has spread his wings.
Grateful for the N4MS website,
T
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Permalink Reply by eastmom on
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My Son left Tuesday after MEPS and all the paperwork they had to do. We drove him to Shreveport, LA Monday and spent the night there, he went to MEPS at 5 a.m. Tues. spent the day there, took his oath and flew out from SP airport. Had a layover in Dallas and then on to Illinois! He called me at 1245 a.m. that night. Hi Mom, it's me, I will call in a couple weeks again, will write soon, love you bye. It was great to hear he made it safe. He was tired, tired. I am very proud of him. I am at peace with his decision. I know God is guiding this part of his life. I have had some tears, but so glad he made this decision. He has embraced it! Christmas will be different without him this year, but we had a Christmas thanksgiving weekend just for him. It was special, had all the traditional foods and he gave gifts to everyone and we gave our gifts to him. IT was nice.
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Permalink Reply by Alisa'sMom* Ship 2 DIV 912* on
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Hey there i believe your son left out with my daughter she left from shreveport also on tuesday
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I wondered if she was one of those that left. Was she the young lady with blonde hair? I saw her there and ya'll, too. Where are you from> We are from Mt Pleasant, TX. Graham is our youngest son.
Good to hear from you. Hope you are good. What time did you hear from Alisa?
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My son graduated boot on Sept 9, 2011 and this will be our first Christmas, and the holidays, without him and him without family and friends. I am very emotional about it...more for him I think because he CAN'T come home, he has duty and we can't afford to go see him (he is in Virginia on the USS Iwo-Jima), so no, men struggle differently. You cry your eyes out because it will help you feel better. I worried about my son at boot too but you know, he shined like I never thought he would even tho I knew he was capable of it. It's ok to cry!!! It means you are alive and still love! :)
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Permalink Reply by navymom74 on
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My son left Tuesday 6th...and I hope everything works out well w him during Boot Camp..I am still a Lil concerned about him..it came out of no where when he announced he was entering the Navy..it will be his best decision I'm sure ..just a lot to take in..and I was not real informed about the whole process till like a few days before he left..and one meeting on the summer when he first entered the DEP..so trying to play catch up and understand everything ..
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