Unprepared

[mum Z]

16hrs since I received that scripted phone call from my son. Unaware of the "scripted" part and or length of phone call (48 sec). I could hear stress in his voice. Also unaware of being able to have accompanied him to his recruiter meetings for preparation on what to expect after final swear in. Maybe he thought I wouldn't have been as supportive had I attended. Definitely unprepared for this journey. Never been away from my three children. My heart feels heavy. Experiencing detachment with my children becoming adults and leaving NEST that's been built with a strong foundation with walls insulated with ADT security. Now not even being able to communicate with my middle child and only son. I feel as if I'm grieving or had a loss. Emotions from PROUD, SAD, UNCERTAIN, EXCITED for his journey, and LONGING to hear him say "I'm going fishing". Never thought it would be so hard to fold his clothes, walk past his door, pick up his shoes, or not hear his car crank. Wondering if there are other navy moms who have experienced these feelings? Today only cried once and here I am writing without tissues thanks to the support from another navy mom (whose ex navy chief).  

[Pam]

So true my son left on labor day and have the same feelings and not knowing what to expect. Received the phone call also he called on home phone and it rang 3 times for me to get there and then their was nothing when I saw his phone # on the tv screen and I said great his only call and we miss it then my husbands cell goes off and it was him we were all hovered around the phone saying we love you. My heart was heavy all  week until today Saturday 5 days later and I have not cried. Doing laundry and going by his room finally shut the door. I know he is doing fine and we are very proud of him. My son is going on to A school in Pensacola, Florida as he is going into Air Traffic Controlling..  Hope he is doing okay and sleeping okay...

[shadow1696]

Pam..I sent you a friend request. I'd love to send you a message, but I guess we have to be friends first. Tim and my son Zack were in scouts together. Can't believe years later they are both in the Navy going into Air Traffic Control.

[beaup11]

Yes, I got the same call and very hard to hear the fear in the voice. I was told to expect this and is still hard. Sat and wrote my first letter to send him once I get a address. Very unsettling as a mom. I hope that when I get his letter he will tell me all is good and is happy with his choice. We just need to keep our heads up, tears to the minimum and look forward to graduation day! Good luck on living day by day till then:)

[Greenelie]

Right there with you.  I handed my daughter over to the recruiter on Sunday (09/14) and the rest of the day I was a total mess.  I attended her swearing in on Monday.  I was a little better by then.  I haven't entered her room since she left.

I completely understand and respect the "no communication" thing, but I know if I could just talk/text her I'd feel a lot better.   :)

I'm sure they're doing great.  Our job is to support them and encourage them to chase their dreams.  I find a lot of comfort (and pride) in knowing my daughter is doing just that.  Her (also 48 seconds) call sounded shaky, but up until then all communication was just excitement and readiness.  

[beaup11]

Hello

I hope things are going better for you, just one day at a time. Did you hear from your daughter? I received my letter from my son today and to be totally honest...it was awesome but I didn't make it easier, just gave more to think about. We can only take one day at a time and need to hang in there. Soon we will be wrapping are arm around them and hopefully be able to let go. When she is done, where does she go?

What ship and div is she?

Sweet dream

Brenda

[TheresaB]

I completely understand how you guys all feel. I was a hot mess when my son shipped out in July. His second phone call I got from him he was crying because he was homesick didn't help my situation! A friend told me the two best things you can give your children when they leave home are wings and roots. I went to his graduation a couple of weeks ago (I live in Gemany so it was a very long plane ride, but totally worth it). I am so glad I did because boot camp turns them into squared away responsible adults. I actually cried after I dropped my son off after Liberty because My little boy was how a man! He went from being a kid I was always telling to pick up his room to being a man who was squared away! My heart still aches for him but seeing him after graduation so squared away and excited about his future really helped me...as a parent seeing my child excited about his future and knowing he is sqaured away really helps me on days when I still feel overwhelmed with sadness from missing him!

[Cody'sMom]

My son left on 8/21. I am still struggling with similar feelings. All of the pride, and excitement in the world that we feel for them, cannot take away the pain that we feel without them. ((HUGS!!)) To you, you are not alone. 

[Karrie B]

You really summed it up for me.  My son left on Wednesday 9/24.  It is so hard

[ProudMomHappy]

I completely understand. I started a blog a few weeks back because I was not happy, not proud and actually really mad. I am the mother of one son who I raised alone for 18 years. I never wanted him too far for from me. But the blog really helped to spill my guts and grieve the loss of the life I wanted for my son and then embrace this new life. The other moms helped to prepare me. However as I sit and type this... I am in a little town close to Meaps waiting for the time I have to meet his recruiter and hand him over. I don't have a clear plan on when the swearing in is happening and how am I going to get there. I traveled all this way to sit confused but one thing I do know is my son wants this. I am here being supportive as I can and reading as much from others experiences so I don't feel as lost. I am no longer angry, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad. I still have a ways to go looking at his future. He can't come by to do his laundry or Sunday dinners. It's going to be a different life. Thank goodness I have seven pets to nurture and love!

[On his way to becoming a sailor]

My son leaves in 18 days and I just finished writing "the letter" to give him to read on the plane. Cried my way through it. We have built the foundation and now they will use that and build upon it further. I am proud (and of course nervous) for his next step.

We gave them the tools they needed to get this far and now the NAVY will turn them into outstanding people with great skills. Stay strong we are all in this together for a reason.!!!

[renette1]

I feel the same way. I pray for the covering over our young men and women as the embrace this new chapter

[Steph Proud AG Mom]

Hi Mum Z.  Everything your feeling is completely normal.  Make sure you join the boot camp moms group.  Alot of great information there.  Start writing your letters, and number them.  Once you receive the form letter with his PIR information you can send them.  It's hard detaching the strings for the first time.  I was a basket case when my daughter went to RTC.  As the weeks moved along though it got easier, and a sense of pride and excitement started building.  Before you know it, it'll be PIR time and that first hug is the most amazing hug of your life.  In less than 180 days I'll be sending my youngest and only Son to RTC,  Stay connected here, and read everything on this site.  Chat is a wonderful way to get answers almost instantly.. Good luck and God Bless!!! (((Navy Mom hugs)))