3rd Week of Boot Camp - Empty Nest Syndrome Has Hit Me Hard

[justbreathe]

It's my son's third week at boot camp and I'm waiting for the second phone call. Today was the third week mark, so I thought I might hear from him today. I did not. I did get his second letter yesterday, but it contained part of his front tooth! He had two wisdom teeth pulled and two fillings done, and apparently passed out and chipped his tooth?!! So now has to have a new tooth put in. We just received his address, and we were able to send letters, but they will take 5-10 days to reach him, as I'm sure you all know. Praying they get to him soon for encouragement.

I am having a hard time adjusting to not having him around. He's our only son, and I recently was laid off. Family and friends are trying to help, and do – just hard. The toughest times are first thing in the morning and late in the evening.

I pray for him every day - and myself. It helps, most the time, but I'm only human. It is extremely tough.

Thanks for listening.

[Bet]

So sorry to hear.  Today is my sons' 13th day and I really miss him too. Also my only child.

So far one phone call and one letter.  I had no idea I would miss him this much.  I was crying 3 times

a day,.  Thank God we have each other. I will pray for you and your son.

[justbreathe]

@BR549 - Thank you! I DID get the phone call today (well Friday). And to was the most wonderful, glorious, precious 10 minutes on the phone I've ever had. He's doing well. Hanging in there and it was just so great and healing to hear his voice. It is tough. You are EXACTLY right. No one gets it and I feel like they keep sorta telling me to “take a big girl pill.” And I'm trying, but it's just hard. Hard to adjust, and I think we wouldn't be the moms we are if we didn't have trouble w/it. Thanks for the prayers! I'll be praying for your son as well. I'm so glad I found this site!

@Sherri (Kay's mom) – he didn't do so well, passed out, fell forward and chipped his tooth. Now he's w/o that tooth and waiting for a cap to be put on. I pray your daughter did much better! My son left May 17th. So perhaps they've ran across each other? You have a great weekend as well, and I hope you get her second call soon!

@JessicaB-Sailor Mom - He graduates July 13. I will check out that group. Thank you very much!!! :)

[michelle3818]

You mean this feeling gets worse??? My son's been gone for 4 days and I can't quit crying now, looks like I'm in big trouble.  You're right about others not understanding, I also have a daughter leaving for college at the end of the summer so I got him with a double whammy, high school grad and son leaving for boot camp with 2 days of each other.  I am so proud and happy for the adventure he is embarking on, but it leaves a hole in your heart, like your job is finished and you don't know what to do next.

[ebigirl]

michelle3818; Sorry to say but yes, you will still have bad days, but they WILL become less frequent. I had a very hard time when my son was in bootcamp. He is my only child, and the lack of communication was very hard for me. He wasn't living at home before he left for bc, but we would text and call each other just to say I love you. PIR was fabulous, and being able to spend 7 hours after PIR with my son was my reward for my 8 weeks of he** and filled the hole in my heart!!

I didn't receive his "box" or the 3rd week phone call. Both of those went to his girlfriend, who is now his wife, and I totally understood. Not to say it was easy, but I knew ahead of time that those two things were not on his radar.

I had to learn to let go...again, not an easy thing to do. I had to trust that we had raised him to be the man he is today, and yes, he is!! I'm so very proud of him and HIS accomplishments. My job of actually raising him and being there for him 24/7 are complete. But he knows I will ALWAYS be there for him, through thick and thin. Our relationship is better than ever. Take a deep breath, and before you know it you will be at your son's PIR with nothing but pride in your heart!!  :-)

 

[Bet]

michelle3818;  My son will be in bootcamp 2 weeks tomorrow.  I can definitely relate to a whole in your heart.

It does get better.  Not crying as much. Got a letter from him yesterday on navy stationary and I've read it 10 times.  I'm very proud of him. Hope you feel better soon.

[justbreathe]

I got his phone call!!! And let me tell you it turned things around for me. I am still going through the empty nest thing, but to hear his voice really helped!!! One more month till graduation. I can't wait! I'm helping his best friend prepare things for his high school grad party. Making a video. So many photos of my son in it, and video, makes me miss him more, but am so proud of the friendships and relationships he's made. :)

@michelle3818 – you'll have good and bad days. I'll be praying for you. Your job is never finished, just changing. It'll be tough, not gonna lie, but there are people here for you. I'm here for you. I've read my son's letter over and over - and share them w/anyone who wants to read them. So happy and proud of him.

@ebigirl - that would be hard. Not to get the calls. But sounds like you're in a good place with it. Thanks for the words of encouragement! I'm counting the days. ;)

[kdmac1]

My son has been gone almost 4 weeks and we are waiting for that phone call.  We have recieved 2 letters but no phone call.  Getting the letters are awesome but I would like to hear his voice I miss him so much it is much harder than i though it would be

[justbreathe]

@kdmac1 - I hope you get the call soon!! It does help to hear their voice. For both you and them. I know they do say that you may or may not get the phone calls. I sure hope yours is just late. Keep me posted. I'll be thinking of you! I'm here if you need to chat!