Happy+sad+excited+worried+thrilled+proud = EXHAUSTED!

[momof4inflorida(Ship11/Div167)]

Our oldest son left for boot camp yesterday. I held it in all week and didn't cry in front of him or in front of our younger kids, but this morning I bawled like a baby during my drive to work. It was the first time I was really by myself to let it all out. Whew!  I know it will get better.  My heart just hurts and I have not absorbed the fact that I have a child old enough to leave home. I'm 38 (had Daniel when I was 18) and I don't have any friends my age who are/have gone through the process of sending a child off to the military.  Any other "young-ish" moms out here that can relate?

[juliebelle28 (NukeMom Prototype)]

Hi Momof4 - I am only a little older than you - and this is my second child to go off to BC (First one is a Marine). And yeah, I teared up just a tiny bit saying good bye to my SR, but I cry like a baby when I am by myself. I guess having been through one already I don't feel weird about him leaving home.  I do hate it though because I am closest to him out of my three :(

I had my first at 18 and my SR at 20.

[Doreen(07/272)]

Yes ma'am...sure can relate. I am 42, and my 18 year old baby left last June for boot camp. None of my friends understood...either their kids were too young, or their older kids weren't in the military. I cried when I was alone. My secretary at work was older-she was in her mid seventies-she let me cry my eyes out. Heck she cried with me. I promise tho, it will get better. Time starts to pass by a little more quickly when you start getting real mail. Hang in there, pretty soon it will be PIR, and you will be amazed at the transformation.

[TitanMom(Janna);AS Rate]

I understand how you feel. My oldest joined in 2010 and I was only 37 at the time. I cried a LOT that first week or so! It's normal and does get better. Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a good site to be on....many others who are or have felt the same way.

[jenn724 Ship7 Division 161]

I can relate also.  I am 37, and my 19 year old first baby, and only daughter left Monday.  I still cry all the time.  I just stopped wearing mascara, and started wearing sunglasses..

[Katheeh (07/129 PIR 04/27/2012)]

Hi momof4inflorida.  I'm a bit older than you but my youngest son (18) is 36 days into his boot camp experience.  We don't have any military experience, nor do any of our friends, so this is all new to us.  I have found this site to be a savior for me.  I can ask questions, get advice, and pour my heart out to the wonderful people on this site.  I wish you the best of luck!

[TraceJ]

Hey ladies, I am in the same boat as most of you.  I am 38 and my SR, my oldest is at BC currently. He will turn 20 next week and not being able to talk to him on his birthday is a killer.  I do have younger children ages 7,5,2 that are keeping me busy.....but no one really understands what a mom goes thru when their child leaves.  I told someone today it is like a grieving process of sorts since you have to wrap your head around not knowing where they are at times, not being able to spend holidays with them and all that you loose when they join the military....HOWEVER, there is a lot to gain as well.  My SR will PIR 4/20 and I am bursting with such an indescribable pride and joy that I feel I could burst.  I promise once you start getting letters, it will get better.  I t took a while, but they do come and they make a world of difference.  Cry your eyes out now because it is our job to be their cheerleaders now - need to learn to bite my tounge and remember he may not be thrilled with his orders but he has about as much control over it as I do and all I can do is be the one he can call to vent too and offer him unconditional support - IT WILL GET BETTER LADIES!

[Cheryl Ship 07 Div 160]

Hi TraceJ.  Our son Kyle has been in GL for  week and a day.  It does get easier as the days go by and i'm sure your other kids will keep you busy.  I'm glad you got the chance to get your emotions out, it does help.  I cried all the way home from Chicago  the day we had to say goodbye.  I'm 40 and my son Kyle is almost 19, so were kind of in the same boat.  This is a great place to be for support and just to have your questions answered by so many knowledgeable moms.  Best wishes to your family and to your son Daniel. 

[Mom2131Ship11/Div156]

@TraceJ, I can relate to the not speaking with them on their birthdeay. My SR's was last Saturday and that was probably the worst day I had since he left. He left for Boot Camp on 3/21 and not being able to hear his voice on his birthday was hard.The one thing I did do was send him a text to his phone. Even though he couldn't see it then, when he does get his phone, he will know that I was thinking of him on his actual Birthday.

[Kathy-Paige's mom]

I know excatly how you feel I to had my daughter just turning 19, shes my only child we have never been apart I havent heard besides letters from her since she left feb 27th I feel helpless, cant comfort her through the tough times, cant be there to pick her up when she falls, cant help her with her raw feet that she has from her boots. I just feel so lost without her, I realized the other day that, this is not about me, its about her! I need to stop my pity party! I am so incredibly proud of her, shes the strongest most determined person I know! Shell be fine!! I need to get the fact that its her life not mine and be happy for her decisions! She is following her dreams of becoming a pilot! Shes georgeous and  extremely smart and I should feel excited and happy for her instead of feeling sad and empty like I do. were mothers we are just wired that way!!  Someday when she flying an F-18 ill be able to say, thats my girl!! THAT IS MY GIRL!!! Paige will be fine and so will Daniel!! They will and already have made us proud navy moms!!

[renee1222]

when do you start getting letters from boot camp? my son left on march 26,2012.i have 3 kids out living on there own and one more at home that wants to join the coast guard after school next june,then all 4 will be out of the house,but it's not he is gone for me it's not talking or texting him daily.that hurts me more then anything.

[Kathy-Paige's mom]

renee 1222 If  I recall , you will start getting letters after the second week going into the third. At the beginning they can only write on sunday, using what little time they have in between everything else they have to do, as they get use to the routine, it gets easier, and they will  find more time to write! be patient the letters will come! It does hurt to be out of contact with your child, hopefully they as a division, will come together quickly as a team,and he will be able to call you!  Im sure there is nothing like hearing there precious voices! Enjoy those letters when they arrive and read them over and over if you need too, hopefully they will be as  comforting to you as all my daughters letters have been to me!!! 

[Doreen(07/272)]

A Parent’s Prayer For a Navy Recruit
Father, in the coming days, I will need you, but my recruit will need You more! Let him perform his tasks with a sense of duty, not of anger or vengeance. Let his reflexes be quick and his hands steady. Let his head be clear and his eyes sharp. Let his mind and body be strong and his spirit stronger. God, please stand by my recruit and watch his back when he cannot! Father, I love this recruit of mine! Take from ME; what he needs and give me what he does not. I will pace the nights, if it means he gets some sleep. I will deal with fatigue, if it means he will have energy. I will carry his fear, if it means it gives him courage. I will take his pain, if it means he is healthy and whole. I will take his anger, if it means he is at peace. Take my love and pride and let him feel it! Let him know that I am with him every step of the way! Please, take from me what You can; I give it willingly and with love. It is all I have besides my prayers. Above all, please help my recruit to achieve his goal of becoming…. A United States Sailor! This I ask on bended knee, that which I cannot do without YOU! I sent this to my son so he knew I had his back. He often asked for prayers and I always sent something uplifting to keep him going.