My son left today. ..

[Corey's Mom ♡]

My son just landed a few minutes ago..... still at the airport in Chicago. I am so proud of him but already miss him terribly. This is all new to me. :-( He leaves behind a wife and 1 year old son. I would love any info or advice you may offer.

[Corey's Mom ♡]

Thank you! When we find out more info from him as he gets processed I will definitely be looking for those families in his group. For right now..... I'm gonna be watching& reading a lot of these posts. :-)

[VsMomCB]

My son landed an hr or so ago. I'm in the same boat as u. Will be reading posts.

[DramaSoul]

Take a deep breath.  I agree with Momof4...ask questions. Know that you are not alone...we have been through this and you will get through it as well.  I am still in touch with the Moms in my son's division and his PIR (Pass-in-Review which is the Navy boot camp graduation) was 2 years ago.  There is nothing like Navy for Moms and your Navy family.  This goes for your daughter-in-law as well.  No one knows what this is like except for another Navy Mom/Wife. Big hugs to you and your family!

[KathyWQ]

It's going to suck. That's just the way it is. But everyday it's get a little easier to deal with. I looked forward to writing my letters. Every night I would write him about my day and just babble. I also would include stupid pictures just to make him laugh.

The best advise I got was from his recruiter He let me know that the first letters home will break your heart. Your son will hate it and just want to come home. The recruiter told us to save these letters because by the time boot camp is over he will feel totally different. And he was right. I am glad I was prepared for that first letter.

And never feel that you are facing this alone. There are hundreds of moms on here that are dealing with the same emotions. Feel free to cry and vent. No one will judge.

And look for his boot camp group page when it gets set up. I always knew when to expect phone calls and would get bits and pieces of boot camp life.

My sailor is currently on his first deployment. Looking back boot camp was a piece of cake. Lol. It will go by fast and your pride in your son will be out of the roof at graduation!!!

[Ladyrocker]

Thank you for this...............I am crying but feel so much better knowing other moms/wives/grandparents are there for each other........I am moving in "baby steps" right now! Trying to prepare and what is expecting and about to unfold.  I am so proud of my son.  I am going to miss him so so so much and Im starting to cry, but reading all of these posts I feel so much more blessed and good that I have all of you to look forward to meeting (however) and having support through it all.  God Bless you all and our SR's (sons/daughters)  May God keep them healthy and safe! In God's love! <3

[Tuttismimi Ship 11 Div 154]

Great to have the first phone call. My SR sounded so excited to be there. You will get the box in about a week. I thought I would cry but just nice to see her things. Check out all of the places on here. They have them for the A schools they are going to and the rates they are going to be in. Also check the RTC day-by-day. It gives you such great information and read the letter by Larry Hoffman. Type it in the search. It is so good. Another good one is one that says"my future Shipmate". They both help to make you proud of your kids and miss them a bit less

[Froggy]

Hi Corey's Mom - my son just arrived at his A school in San Antonio.  His PIR was three weeks ago, but it already seems like a lifetime ago.  The next eight weeks are going to be filled with anxiety and wonder as you live your day wondering what your SR is doing.  Navy for Moms is the best place to get answers to ALL your questions.  Everyone is MOST helpful.  I also suggest you join the PIR group for your SR as soon as you find out the PIR date.  There you can connect with the moms who are going through exactly what you are, day by day. I used my son's ship and division in my sign on name so I was able to connect with moms whose sailors were in the exact same place.   Once you find out which division your SR is in, you can also find out information on what that particular division does.   You don't have an address for your SR now, but start writing letters.  This way they will be all ready to mail once you get the address.  Email his address to all your family and friends so they can write your son as well.  They don't have access to any media, so it helps to add newspaper clippings of local and national news, and perhaps some entertainment news as well.  Receiving his box with all his things will be another emotional day for you.  When I received my son's, I just buried my head in his sweater and had a good cry.  I hope you find comfort in the fact your son is in a good place, he's being taken care of, and he's going to learn a whole lot.  Also, if you have time, you can go on the Recruit Training Command website and watch live graduations so you know what you have to look forward to.  They broadcast live every Friday morning at 8:45 Chicago time.  Good luck!

[Froggy]

Corey's Mom - one more thing.  You are going to have a lot of questions for your SR.  May I suggest you prepare some type of questionnaire with all you questions.  This way your SR can fill in the blanks and you get all the answers you need.  They don't have much time to write.  I did this with my son a couple of times and it was the best way to get answers.  I did funny questions and serious questions.  He liked the questionnaires.

[Corey's Mom ♡]

My cousin is in the Navy and is actually stationed at the Boot Camp Base. He was working nights last night when my son arrived. He stayed over late to watch my son get his "offical" haircut.  LOL  It's nice to know that there is a familiar face there for my son BUT they cannot have any "real" contact. Although I know that I will be able to get some kind of "unofficial" update about how things are going. 24 hours down..... so many more to go!  :-)