What I have learned since my Navy Mom journey has began

[MA2009Mom]

 I would like to share my journey to this point, I hope that in sharing my experiences I help some of ya'll. The day my Sailor left I held it together ok, Until he got into the recruiters car for that last ride to MEPS the day before shipping, My last hug to the "little boy i raised" ( well in my eyes) Left me heartbroken and a blubbering mess as soon as the recruiters car left.  The scripted Phone call at 1;45 am,hours after his Arrival at RTC  that was 22 seconds long, offered little to no relief, just more tears and another sleepless night. I found no peace and  my tears flowed, the first few days of not hearing, not Knowing,not being able to talk to my son were driving me insane, The silence was deafening! I didnt want to go into his room, I cried when writing my son letters. A little more than a week after he left I got my "boy in a box" it weighed 8.3lbs included his "last" civilian attire and yes it was stinky, BUT it was the BEST stink in the world! I hugged his jeans, I wore his cap, I smelled his clothes and I cried, I disengaged somewhat from life, I was sad, I was happy, I was proud, I was angry, I drove my lifelong friends crazy and then I found N4M (this was just the first two weeks mind you!!!!). I met many wonderful women all going thru the same things I was and I felt so not alone. I found strenght in reminding others that THEY too had raised smart and fantastic children, that they weren't alone in their feelings of heartbreak and pride.(it may seem silly but it's true) Some I had an instant connection, some i didn't get to talk to enough (I apologize) and a few didn't need any help at all because they seemed to have it handled just fine. (good for ya'll) You ladies helped me so much I am forever grateful and eternally blessed to of met each and every 1 of you! a few more weeks pass and the tears kept flowing, they flowed when I got my first letter (although they were more of joy and not sadness)

cried when I got my sons PIR date (CALL THE NAVY LODGE RIGHT AFTER YOU GET THAT LETTER!!!) A little advice if you dont get in right away call everyday because rooms are always being cancelled and opened back up. I hoarded the phone on Sunday's and wouldn't talk to anyone because that was his call day. DO RSVP for Sarge's Meet and Greet,He is a fountain of Knowledge and  you get to meet so many wonderful people who are all there for the same glorious reason you are. There are also very wonderful baskets that are made by some VERY talented people. (you find out how truly gifted some are) BEAUTIFUL BASKETS THURSDAY LADIES!!!  By Week 5 I was finally not a total water works fountain, but i didn't say no to that extra glass of wine at dinner either! I had lost weight I was stressed,I lived for receiving a phone call or a letter, I felt like a teenager waiting for "his call" 

, I cried to my"Navy Sister Moms" and bonds were created that will last a lifetime. I now have a Larger family! Nothing is stronger than a mother that gives her child wings only to remain grounded and watch them soar. I counted down everyday til i got to see my son Like a little kid waiting for Christmas Day. Then the "I'm a Sailor' Call. FOR JOY!!!! PIR day youre just so anxious to see and hug your sailor that you find  yourself muttering "hurry up and call LIBERTY" in your head over and over again all the while scanning over a most impressive sea of Class A's to find YOUR sailor. Don't worry it won't  take you nor your sailor long to find each other after that "liberty" call. It'll be one of the strongest most excited hugs you have ever received too! You hug you take pictures, you get ushered out the doors into the cold and you go pick up pictures, you hug your sailor more, you shed a few more tears, you find the other moms that have been your support system and you hug them, you meet their kids and you know that they are your new nephews and nieces because these women have become a piece of your heart forever. You introduce your kids they introduce theirs and the hugs start flying

because they are now a part of your heart,and a much as I was rooting and praying for mine, I was rooting and praying for theirs. When I got my son back to the motel I had Candy and Drinks waiting. After we had relaxed in the lodge a bit my son was hungry and so just he and I ended up riding around talking, and spending our time like we used to, (My son and I always have our best talks while he and I are riding around in the vehicle) My son had changed but the root of who he was before was still there and that offered me more relief. The Navy had returned to me a MAN, and I am extremely PROUD of that man! After dropping him back off at the gate friday night we set our alarms early to be with him at the airport before he left on Saturday at 1020 (your Sailor can get you a pass that gets you to his actual terminal) do pack your tissue or be ready to hold them in because the God's honest truth is 

IT IS NOT EASIER THE SECOND TIME as a matter of fact I'm pretty sure at this moment, it doesn't get easier I just have to learn to cope. I know i will survive this next stage because i already have a fantastic new family thanks to N4M that understands what I am going thru. So at the end of this Bootcamp experience, i am telling you, It's ok to cry, it's ok to be a wonderful mess, It's ok to drive everyone around you crazy, it's a roller coaster ride of emotions that only someone going thru this  can understand (trust me your friends unless they have been thru it WILL NOT understand) it's ok to hug the stinky clothes from your "boy or girl in a box", It's ok to be a phone hoarder on possible phone call days, It's ok to feel frustrated because of the "radio silent" times,

It's ok to stalk your mailbox, (it is after all YOUR mailbox), it's perfectly normal to cry everyday, it's perfectly normal to cry during those first letters to your SR (just dont let them know,always stay supportive and encouraging if you can). It's ok to run out to your sailor after they call "liberty" , It's ok to hug them and hang on like a sloth to a tree, you have afterall dreamed of this moment for those many many weeks. Most of all It's ok to burst with pride! (you did a great job in raising a fine young man or young woman) Thank You ladies, and I look forward to sharing my next lesson learned from having a Sailor "A" School!!!!

[lmc11]

Thank you for sharing this it really made me feel better. My son just entered OCS on Sunday and I got a text and an email with a picture of a whiteboard with his mail address on it. His dad (we are divorced) got the phone call and was kind enough to text me and let me know. I made the mistake yesterday of reading up on what they go through and I hope he was ready! My husband was an enlisted marine and he was like "oh officer training is easy" -- I beg to differ with that!! Lol.... Anyhow I hope the letter you mentioned with graduation dates etc is sent to both parents so I get a copy, I guess I will find out :) My son applied for OCS and didn't tell us about it until about 6 months into the process, it's very much his thing that he wants to do on his own so information has been scarce and I didnt want to drive him crazy with questions :). Thanks again for this supportive post I'm going through major withdrawls and this really helps. My best wishes for you and your son!

[lemonelephant]

I left info for you on your My Page, which includes the groups you will want to join for the info you need.

The info above concerns those who have loved ones who are Enlisted and go to Boot Camp at the RTC. The info for those in OCS is different.

[lmc11]

Ok thank you!

[MA2009Mom]

Congrats to you on your Future Naval Officer!!! That's fantastic. Even tho my process is different I'm sure the emotions you experience  are the same. It's so hard to watch our babies leave, To watch them go for their dreams. The Great  News is that Moms are always the North Stars to guide their children and no matter where in the world their 1,000 mile journey takes them "Mom's" are always in their children's hearts and heads. (seriously we are the voice of reason in the back of their minds) LOL :-) You will be fine and we are all here for you!

[Betty]

The info may be different but the emotions are just the same. Good luck to your son :-)

[Pagesnavy]

Thank you for this! My daughter left a week ago today. She wasn't supposed to leave until March 2016 but they called her a week earlier and asked if she wanted to leave. She of course said yes, she couldn't wait, she was so excited. I on the other hand was screaming "NOOOOO!!" Inside. A day hasn't passed yet that I haven't cried, and I ask myself why? I am overflowing with pride and know that she is doing what she wants. But I can't help but worry and wonder what is going through her mind. Is she having doubts? Haven't gotten my "kid in a box" yet, FedEx messed that up. No form letter yet, UGH!!

[MA2009Mom]

Bless your heart Laurie, I missed My son every day, I cried at every letter I wrote trying not to let him know I was absolutely miserable without him here (and I have more kids  at home still). It's perfectly normal to feel so happy, proud, and sad at the same time. Not many people can understand that, the way I see it I had to learn to share "my Son" he had after all been 100% MINE for 19 plus years. As strange as it sounded I was almost angry at the Navy for thinking they could do my job for me. How dare you cut off communication with me and my son?! Then after I received his address (I mailed out 13 letters that day) and I received my first one from him I realized the Navy wasn't telling me they were taking my job away from me, but more or less making my son appreciate me and the "freedom" allowed to him before. He was definitely ready when he left, I thought I was but I so was not. I do appreciate him being in "A" school tho, I get to talk to him OFTEN! WOOOOHOOO Like I mean DAILY! So stay Strong Navy Mom, you raised a great kid and You've got this!!!!! Congrats on your SR!!!

[Betty]

Great read!!! I for one went through all of these emotions and probably more that are just unexplicable. As you know, I have found two sisters on this sight & without them I wouldn't have made it through. So thank you for writing this, it shows every Navy mom that it is okay to go through all kinds of emotions & they are not alone! Big hugs to you & congratulations to all the new SR's. Hooyah!!!!!

[MA2009Mom]

Yes mam! ,You are welcome!  We know the Roller Coaster Well! You have been and still are My rock, My heart, My friend, My sister! I Love you oodles!!! Navy Sister Mom's for life!

[Beachmom]

What a great story to share!  My son leaves in 12 days and your story gives me great comfort and trying not to cry here at work, hold it together mom until later!  I'm going to miss my baby in my daily life but proud beyond words to this choice he's made and life he's chosen for himself.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  

[MA2009Mom]

you are more than welcome Beachmom, It's ok to cry, it's ok to be proud, it's a roller coaster of emotions, I do promise you it does get better, Not easier just better. with each phone call, with each letter, with each passing day. Welcome Aboard Navy Mom, You did a great Job! 

[SailorMom:)]

I can relate completly so far.. and i am sure i will be like that when i see my son at PIR.. thank you for sharing your heart