Single parent only child, daughter at that!!

[bekka2u2]

My daughter entered boot camp today being her first real day since yesterday was travel day and sitting around waiting in Chicago. She is my only child. I support her and her decision to go into the Navy. I was a little apprehensive at first because she has this issue that she has to know who what when where how things are going to go in her life at all times. It has drove her crazy since she got a ship date about exactly what to expect. She has talked to everyone she can about what to expect. I think when she left here a few days ago she knew just about all she could about what would be happening while in Boot camp. Hopefully she is a little more at ease. She has picked a great field to go into (air rescue swimmer). She knows it will be tough but her concern is not being able to get the job even after she passes the testing because of no openings. I am keeping my fingers crossed for her. She was a swimmer on the swim team in jr and high school for 6 years. She is quite the swimmer but struggles on the pull ups on the test for the ARS.

Does anyhone know if you can bring flowers to them on graduation day? Actually I was thinking more of a Lei for her. And also are they allowed musical cards or the voice activated cards?

I miss her already but I know she will be fine. And this is a new beginnning for her.

[MidwestMom]

No musical cards or voice activated cards!  Bad things can happen.  Just write her letters.  Lots of letters.  Get creative and take digital pictures and insert them in the letters instead of sending photos.  You want your letters to not draw attention so never make them bulky or bright.  Have the pet write a letter.  You can send cards, but make sure the envelopes are plain.  If you want to send her articles about what is going on around town, copy them onto a plain piece of paper instead of sending the clippings.  She's going to want to blend in and not have to open anything in front of the RDCs.  And, she's going to want to hear about even the smallest things.  If she has a favorite TV show, let her know what is going on in it.  Keep her informed, but don't send bad news.  She needs to be built up.  As one woman said it, when she was going through BC at the end of the day she sometimes felt like she was dirt, she'd messed up so many times, nothing was right...and then she'd get a letter from home and her whole attitude would change.  Keep your letters fun, stick in jokes.  I cut and paste News of the Weird articles into my letters because my son liked those.  Use the challenge of writing every day and finding something different to stick in each letter as a way to keep busy.  Before you know it, you'll start getting letters and then a phone call and all of a sudden PIR will be around the corner.  Hang in there!  :)