8 days...

[Chas'Mom]

This weekend has been filled with hugs and stares of my young man that will be leaving in 8 days.  I have so much to do and yet I just want to watch his every move....as if he is that 1 year old taking his first steps.  In a way, he is....he is trying so hard to be the man he should be and taking those first steps into adulthood.

1. Write that letter

2. Get that calling card

3. Help with the overnight bag

and all I want to do it stare at my young man.

[Anna Aviation Mom]

Enjoy this time.

[Kyle's Mom Joanne Ship13 Div 313]

I here you on this one..My son leaves on Wed Aug 1st.  I am not sure what I am doing right now just going through the motions....I did get him the calling cards, but I was not sure how many to get him...I am just walking in what feels like space right now I feel so lost...good luck to your son and hope to keep in touch with you as our boys are in BC.

Jo

[Michigan Cindy]

Just remember, ladies, that boot camp is only 8 weeks.  It's a rough8 weeks, but you will LOVE seeing the end product

[WV Mom]

I wish I could say something to help with that part of it- the final week and the day you take your future sailor to swear-in, it is one of THE hardest things for a mom..but like Cindy commented, the end product is beyond words. Good luck and really treasure every minute.

[SEAttLeMom]

Hi -  I'm totally new to this site and to being a 'military mom'.  My son leaves for BC 8/7 - anybody else out there leaving the same week?  This means our last full day with him will be 8/5 since he checks in with recruit at noon on 8/6.  Will get to witness him swearing in on 8/7 before he is swept off to the airport. Tonight he's unofficially swearing in at home plate at the Mariner's game with other recruits.  I'm excited to watch this tribute.  I'm holding back the tears each day as we get closer to his DEP date. Like many of you, I'm trying to spend as much time as is left with him before he leaves without being 'smothering' and still help him take care of business.  He's convinced he won't need to take, nor be able to keep, the calling cards or stationary I've gotten him. Since he's from a split family, I tried to offer him a pre-paid, disposable cell to take with him to make his "I've arrived" calls to his dad, me, and girlfriend while taxing in on the runway - thinking he could then dispose of it before checking in and not have to deal with the one call from base.  Again, no takers on that idea.  Any suggestions for other things I might have overlooked that could help make the first few days...and upcoming week,,,easier for him..and us? :) 

[Chas'Mom]

SEAttleMom.....no need for the stationary...they provide that for the boys.  He will need the calling cards though.  As for the pre-paid cell, he can take it and send messages as he is taxing and then he can just send it back with the "box".  They say no more than $50 in cash and then I read somewhere only $10 is needed....not that they will have time to really spend it.  I made a list of addresses on a 1/2 sheet of paper and put a book of stamps in his wallet.  He is going to use his banking account here in our town so we have the form 1199A for that filled out by the bank.  Other than that....if he wants a small bible to take, he can.  There is a list in his DEP book but I find on this site (somewhere) a very smaller list.

[SEAttLeMom]

Thanks, Chas'Mom, for the extra info.  Guess I'm just getting a bit nervous.  Functioning on auto pilot about now.  First one out of the nest, and flying so far from home. 6 days to go.  4 if I count the actual full days left at home.  Trying very hard to stay strong, supportive, and smiling.  Glad to have found this site and know there are many others Moms feeling the same as I do right now.  It's going to be a rough weekend knowing it's his last at home.  Hope our boys men connect at BC! 

[Chas'Mom]

Np, Just passing along the info I received...thank goodness we can all do that at some time.

I hope our men connect too.  Chas will be leaving from St. Louis....he will be a part of Cardinal Company but I have no idea if that means anything after they arrive at BC.

I'm totally on auto pilot also....I took a day off today trying to get stuff straight...we decided to have an "Anchors Away" party for Chas on Saturday...not sure what I was thinking!!!!  But I do have to say I ended up getting a nice pedicure and manicure....LOL....now if that is sporadic thinking I don't know what is.

[SEAttLeMom]

Because of limited time (1 1/2 wk notice of his early DEP date) and need to share time with the other half of his family, we decided to forego the saturday party (yes, we started along that path too ;)  ), and will be having an extended family dinner Saturday night........for, which of course, I'll be pampering myself on friday with a haircut and foil. Guess it just goes with the territory - and will, no doubt, help us feel better too.  Have a great time with your party.  I'm taking the rest of this week off and through Tuesday to spend with Brandon and witness his swear in ceremony.  I'll pass Chas' name to him in hopes they'll connect.  Hang in there Mom.  Our young men are going to do great!!!!  Let's touch base again next week. 

[Chas'Mom]

Enjoy your time together and yes, we need that pampering too!  I sent a friend's request...we will definitely have to stay in touch!