Newbie Navy mom with daughter at boot camp

[farmernavymom]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself! I'm April and have a daughter at boot camp now. She just left Tuesday and I just received "the box" today and immediately started bawling! Lol. I have been a mess this week! Thankful to find other Navy moms who know a little about how I'm feeling!:)

[Heather]

Hi April my daughter also is in bootcamp and she left Tuesday and I also recieved her box with her clothes and phone Fitbit . Mine melt down was the other night when I was doing laundry and put her clothes in her room . It's he longest that we have gone with out talking or texting each other .

[Odie24]

Hi I'm new at this too, I received the box on Tues, had a melt down on Wednesday I told someone that God is in control and then I received a phone call on Friday because my daughter needed some bank info I was on cloud nine.

[Anna]

Ladies I totally understand how you both feel. Having our girls in bootcamp with very limited communication is the worst!!!!!  My daughter left just two months after my mom suddenly passed away.  I thought I was going to die from grief!!! I will tell you, don't think that your feelings aren't real. You have every right for those meltdowns. It means you are a good mom and you care deeply about your Sailor!!!! So wear those tears with pride - - - it will get better!!!!!  Navy on!!!!!

[kissinghand37]

My daughter just left yesterday.  I got her "final" phone call at 10:30pm.  She went in as an E3 so she did not want to break down.  I was so proud and encouraged by her confidence....but E3 or not...she is my baby.

[TipperZoey]

My daughter left Jan 3rd.  I did well until she called home on Sunday.  As soon as she heard my voice she started crying.  My heart just broke and I started crying.  She just missed me.  She said everything was going well so it made me feel better to know that.  We were able to talk for about 20 minutes or more.  

I am not new to the Navy as my husband, sister and broth-n-law, and 2 cousins were int he Navy but it is different when it is your child.

We just need to keep thinking good thoughts and the time will fly by and then they will be in our arms again.

[Anna]

Tipper,

I understand exactly how different it is when it's our daughter especially.  I served, my husband served, brothers, nephew and niece.  But when my little girl left it had such a impact on me!!  Your last sentence said it all - - keep thinking good thoughts and they will be back in your arms soon!!!!!

[Anna]

SassyNavyMom,

Basically - nothing!!  She can have a small wallet, a bank card, ID (driver's license) and some cash.  When my daughter went in she could have a small address book for friends and family addresses and phone numbers.  On the last pages she glued in a few very small pictures.  She also used that to carry her ID, bank card, and cash since it had a band around it which kept it closed.  Everything else she has on her will be sent back to you in a box we lovingly refer to as "kid in a box"!!! If she takes her cell phone she will be able to call or text you during her travels and as soon as she arrives at Great Lakes.  Then it gets shut off and goes into the box to get sent back to you.

[azpandamom]

Hi, my daughter took her purse with her wallet that had her ID, bank card, some cash, and a small address book. The clothes, shoes, purse, socks, cell phone, any paperwork got sent back in the box to home. I would suggest that as soon as you get her informational letter with her mailing address, graduation date and information that you send a prepaid phone card if their cell phone is sent back home. The second call is made if they have a way to call you otherwise you wait for that first letter. She said she couldn't call because she had to buy a phone card at the NEX when they got to go there. I immediately mailed a phone card so I wouldn't miss the next opportunity to hear her voice. I'm not sure if they can bring one with them to boot camp but I highly recommend it.