Thanks everyone for your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. I was just able to connect with someone stateside at ATT and he told me that we could add a "cruise package" to my sons phone for $100.00 per month and the would have unlimited talk, text, data while on the ship. He said the minute he steps off the ship though that plan no longer applies and if he uses his phone we could be charged up to $50 a minute. For shore time, he would need an "international day pass" which is $10 per day or $100 per month...I "think" the cruise package is the way to go as long as he has internet on the ship. I don't want to sign up for something and pay $100 extra per month to find out it doesn't work. If anyone has experience with this plan, I'd love to hear how it's working. Thank you all again for the support. It's really great to know you are out there...:).
Good morning all, I am new to this group. I am incredibly proud of my son's recent graduation as an officer and that he will be serving others as a nurse. My brain is 110% behind him, my heart is struggling on him being so far away. I am looking for any thoughts or guidance from other moms on ways they worked through these changes. What they found helpful or any recommendations they might have. Thank you in advance!
Welcome Jennifer G & congratulations to your son! My son is a SWO, commissioned in 2021. I understand the mixed emotions. My son has been stationed about a 9 hour drive from us which has allowed us to visit at least once a year but next year he will be across the country for the next 3 years. At least it's not overseas, right? :)
I would encourage you to find the ombudsman FB page for your son's ship along with the FRG page, if the ship has an FRG. The ombudsman is the official liaison between the command (the ship) and the sailors families. The FRG (Family Readiness Group) is more about family support & usually will organize events/social gatherings for families of sailors, esp during deployments.
Other than that, I can only say for myself that although the distance is hard my heart is comforted that my son is doing something he's always dreamed of & video calls are the absolute best! The distance is especially hard during the holidays, like now. My son is deployed right now too & will be out to sea on Christmas day so we'll have to chat via FB messenger which we've found to work well for deployment communication. My son has been wonderful with giving us calls every now & again. I hope that will be the same for you! I think my son has enjoyed that my husband & I are so interested in his military life (we ask lots of questions!) & so he's continued to explain what he can to us.
The first couple months are the hardest, I think, since so much is unknown about military life until you get into it. I wish you, your son, & family the best! Happy holidays!
Katryn
Thanks everyone for your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. I was just able to connect with someone stateside at ATT and he told me that we could add a "cruise package" to my sons phone for $100.00 per month and the would have unlimited talk, text, data while on the ship. He said the minute he steps off the ship though that plan no longer applies and if he uses his phone we could be charged up to $50 a minute. For shore time, he would need an "international day pass" which is $10 per day or $100 per month...I "think" the cruise package is the way to go as long as he has internet on the ship. I don't want to sign up for something and pay $100 extra per month to find out it doesn't work. If anyone has experience with this plan, I'd love to hear how it's working. Thank you all again for the support. It's really great to know you are out there...:).
Dec 4, 2023
Jennifer G
Good morning all, I am new to this group. I am incredibly proud of my son's recent graduation as an officer and that he will be serving others as a nurse. My brain is 110% behind him, my heart is struggling on him being so far away. I am looking for any thoughts or guidance from other moms on ways they worked through these changes. What they found helpful or any recommendations they might have. Thank you in advance!
Dec 19, 2025
Kim8
Welcome Jennifer G & congratulations to your son! My son is a SWO, commissioned in 2021. I understand the mixed emotions. My son has been stationed about a 9 hour drive from us which has allowed us to visit at least once a year but next year he will be across the country for the next 3 years. At least it's not overseas, right? :)
I would encourage you to find the ombudsman FB page for your son's ship along with the FRG page, if the ship has an FRG. The ombudsman is the official liaison between the command (the ship) and the sailors families. The FRG (Family Readiness Group) is more about family support & usually will organize events/social gatherings for families of sailors, esp during deployments.
Other than that, I can only say for myself that although the distance is hard my heart is comforted that my son is doing something he's always dreamed of & video calls are the absolute best! The distance is especially hard during the holidays, like now. My son is deployed right now too & will be out to sea on Christmas day so we'll have to chat via FB messenger which we've found to work well for deployment communication. My son has been wonderful with giving us calls every now & again. I hope that will be the same for you! I think my son has enjoyed that my husband & I are so interested in his military life (we ask lots of questions!) & so he's continued to explain what he can to us.
The first couple months are the hardest, I think, since so much is unknown about military life until you get into it. I wish you, your son, & family the best! Happy holidays!
Dec 20, 2025