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Comment by kwtracey on August 7, 2011 at 10:07pm

What wonderful advice! Thanks so much for all the tips.I am glad to know more about the phone calls. I hadn't realized that it would be just a single call. We are hoping to receive our first letter this week.

Comment by lori on August 7, 2011 at 9:53pm

Joanne, i'm sorry you got sick. Are you sure it wasn't one of the shots or medications you had to take for Africa? That seems more likely. If it was food poisoning you wouldn't get hives.

Comment by lori on August 7, 2011 at 5:45pm

Kwtracey- you will learn quickly! Everything seemed so new and foreign to me back in April 2010 when my son left for boot camp. If it hadn't been for the NM I'm not sure how i would have made it through the days. There was [ and still is] so many wonderful ladies to answer questions or to come along side of you. Meeting other Navy moms helped so much as they "understood" all the emotions involved. My family would say - "well it's just like he's gone away to college" but it was NOTHING like that. No communication for weeks.

My experience was the same as Linda's- I got the total of 3 calls the whole time. But as every mom will tell you "no news IS good news!" And my son was not much of a letter writer too but he told me how much he enjoyed receiving letters. I would find silly cards and send them. Put in comics or jokes that i thought would bring a smile to his face. Lots of encouragement which they need. There will be days that your son will feel like giving up. That's why you need to remind him "he can do it." In every letter. Also make a calendar and have a count down and send it to him. They lose all track of time in BC. I would write it on all my cards and letters as sometimes the letters would not come on the right days.

 

How old is your son? What is he going in for? Tell us about him! 

Comment by Linda on August 7, 2011 at 5:20pm

Betsy, Joanne, & Lori - I'm so glad we finally got together for lunch.  I'm looking forward to next time!

 

Welcome to the group Kwtracey! My son is in A school in Charleston, SC.  When he was in bootcamp, the bootcamp and PIR websites were so helpful.  Joanne is so right about the letters.  My son made me promise that I would send him a letter every day.  I started the day he left and sent them all when I got his address.  I sent him at least one letter every day.  He also got letters from friends and family as well as the 4th and 5th grade classes at Bodkin Elementary where my sister is a 5th grade teacher.  Every few weeks, I put a small manilla envelope with losts of stamps on it so he could send some of his letter and cards homw as there is not much storage space.  He sent them all home so he could keep them.  He is not much of a letter writer but I got a few letters which I read over and over.  I also learned that not getting phone calls was probably a good thing.  I got the 'I'm here' call, one around 4 weeks and the 'I'm a sailor' call.  Although it was hard not knowing how he was doing, not getting a phone call meant he was OK. 

 

I'll be burning my blue candle tonight in memory of the Navy SEALS who were recently killed as well as for my son who has a test tomorrow, and all of our sons and daughters wherever they may be!  

Comment by kwtracey on August 6, 2011 at 11:30pm

Thanks for the support! It seems like there is so much to learn. I'm glad to know that you are out there and appreciate your responses.

Comment by lori on August 6, 2011 at 7:53pm

Hi Kwtracey- welcome to our maryland group! It will be great to hear from you as to how your daughter is doing in these next few weeks in bc.

 

It was great meeting the ladies that made it today. Betsy and Linda - glad you could make it! I enjoyed hearing about your boys.

Joanne- glad we added to your "Africa" wardrobe! Finding those "quick dry" pants was easier than I thought it would be.

Thanks for the info about where to get the lunch box. If i can't use it for school I can for work. Paper bags don't last long!

Comment by Betsy, mom of Stennis sailor on August 6, 2011 at 7:40pm

Joanne, I had a good time too.  It was wonderful meeting you all.  

Kwtracey, Hi there ((hugs)) to you.  I hope you have joined her PIR group too.  The ladies on there are an awesome support system.  Welcome to the wild and crazy world of the Navy.  My youngest son Adam is in A school in Pensacola.  Since he was the baby of my 5, it was pretty hard to let him go.  Once A school starts, communication is so much better, that boot camp will seem like a distant memory.  I also have a daughter whose fiance is in the Navy and she moved to Hawaii to be with him in May.  I do understand how hard it is be away from your baby girl.  We are here for you, so please stop by frequently.  Good luck to your daughter.  

Comment by kwtracey on August 6, 2011 at 5:51pm

Hi everyone,

My daughter is in her second week of basic. We live in Waldorf, Maryland. 

Comment by Betsy, mom of Stennis sailor on August 6, 2011 at 10:45am

I hope you will bring her Debbie.  You will be right there.  It's at the mall  :)  

 

Comment by lori on August 5, 2011 at 10:44pm

Bring your daughter! You have to eat! I may pass you in the mall and not even know it's you Debbie as I'm going early to go shopping too!

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