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Comment by SlezaksMom on November 8, 2015 at 9:43pm

CO-Twin: first? (((Big hug))) I feel you!

Next? Here's what I did to get through my first deployment:

1) cried my eyes out and really struggled with him being "out of pocket" for the first little bit. It really shocked me because I thought I'd really worked all through this with power school and prototype. Turns out I still knew I could text him and hear from him in the next day or so if I needed to tell him something. Not so on deployment. That was about me, though, not him, so it took a bit to work through.

2) I kept a running list of the funny stuff that happens in my day to day life to tell him via email. From my Niece dressing up as Cinderella to my new nephew being born, I kept a list and wrote it down. Sometimes even voice to text...my son said that those messages were the best because they "sounded" like me.

3) I made no secret at work that my son was deployed. I had a blue candle, wore read on Fridays, had a picture of him, the boat, etc. I encouraged my co-workers to wear red, said thank you to those wearing it.

4) I was active in the private FB group that my son's squadron set up. If you can't do that? Call your trusted folks. Of course keep OPSec in mind, but talk about it.

5) pamper yourself -- especially at the beginning. Bible baths, your favorite lotion, new shoes, a nappy new haircut, etc. whatever works within your budget and makes you feel good.

6) set milestones. 1 month down, half way, birthdays, etc. I sent him cards that would catch up with the boat in port. (Half of which caught up with him once he was home!)

7) if you're on the phone tree, understand how they word things. They'd call me and say, "he'll call you after xx:xx time." I'd spend his entire port call feeling like I wasn't getting a call!! Lol. He never called me when they arrived and always called me before he LEFT Port. Your sailor will figure it out, just don't get disappointed about the "when." It's the only time I wasn't scared to get a 2-3am phone call!!

8) email, email, email. Send hometown news, anecdotes, that you miss and are proud of him. Also include a "picture-style" (emoji) smiley face. These get scrubbed and let you know that your email went to the boat. For me? Knowing that it was getting there helped me.

I hope this helps you and anyone else who has a sailor on deployment.

Comment by tina41 on November 8, 2015 at 9:04pm

hello all!!

cotwin- praying for safe a voyage!  he will be home before you know it!  hang in there!!

Comment by CO-TwinSalorsMom on November 8, 2015 at 9:01pm

I know you did Tysmom, I am so sorry I printed it off and meant to call, but it got buried under Stuff for my new bakery. I just found it and will call you tomorrow.

Comment by tysmom on November 8, 2015 at 7:17pm

CO-twin: I am in Hawaii, I left you a pm last week.

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Comment by cybergrouch on November 8, 2015 at 4:52pm

Hi all.  How is sending presents for Xmas handled if they will be underway?  Do they just pack it with them or do you send it to the ombudsman?  Are there size restrictions? This will be his first deployment and I have NO clue what is normal.  He will be on a boomer so no mail calls.

Comment by tysmom on November 8, 2015 at 11:59am

Here I am in Hawaii visiting my son. I fixed him Thanksgiving dinner last night. Yummy rolls from a bakery in Chinatown! We went in a Rain Forest, drove to the North Shore, stopped for fruit in a bag and a grocery store for pumpkin pie and cool whip.Today will be church and golfing with my son.

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Comment by Kevsmom93 on November 7, 2015 at 5:12pm

Slezakom- Great comment that was a good one! I love that we can have a sense of humor about how much "we don't know" about our kids and what they do in their jobs! My husband and I have a good time making fun ourselves and our obvious ignorance :-) The best part is the "after conversations" we have with each other about who said the stupidest thing when our boys call home!

CO-Twin- prayers for a safe deployment!

mrsb- Hi! I sent you an email a little while back.

Comment by mrsb on November 7, 2015 at 12:57pm

Hang in there COTwins mom, you will be ok.  We're all along on the same ride!!!

Comment by CO-TwinSalorsMom on November 7, 2015 at 11:20am

Well, got a call last night, I thought my son was deploying next month,,, He is leaving earlier than expected!! Yikes her we go.

Comment by Johanna on November 7, 2015 at 8:44am

Slezaksmom... both my boys are divers for their boats. My oldest is out of Groton and he usually rides out topside which makes for great pics...;)) My youngest LOVES diving for the boat and will prob pursue a diving career with the Navy...;))

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