Heartbroken mom

[jojo]

My son leaves for BC on June 3rd, wow it is getting harder the closer it gets! Everyone says oh, you should just be proud, which I am, but I am so heartbroken right now, I can't feel anything else. His dad and step dad and aunts and uncles are like so happy for him and keep telling me I should be also, I feel like nobody understands, I am his mom. I feel so selfish and numb. I do not break down in front of him, but dreading the day he leaves.... Bootcamp and six years is what I cannot get my head/heart around. I don't want him to push me away because everyone is so supportive and I am so sad.

[mary]

I Know how you feel. My son has been in bc for one month .And I still feel the same way when he left .We can't let are kids know that we are sad and heart broking.We just have to let them know how much we are proud of them and love them. Just know your not alone.A lot of moms feel the same way.That just means you are a good mom and did your job well.Now we have to let our kids grow up and just be there for them when they need.

[lemonelephant]

You may wish to join the group, DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in June. You will find that you are not alone. Be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for.... I also suggest you join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and New Members Stop Here and check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions there.

Your future Sailor may want to join http://www.navydep.com to learn the ins and outs from the DEP point of view. Craig runs that and will steer him to some good links on there.

(Group names and the link within this reply are clickable links. To join a group, click on the group name and when the group page opens, click on "+ Join..." in the upper right.)

[navymom21]

If this helps, I was exactly How you are !! Everyone said the same thing to me.....I cried for a long time about It.. Then , I was good, Until a few days before she went .. I miss my daughter ..alot , but , we need to let go at some point so that they can live their life & have no regrets ! My daughter  didnt like college , so she was working 3 jobs , and still not happy .. She was so excited for her new future.. Id make her tell me how excited she was every day just so It would be easier for me..... It really will get easier  at some point....my heart hurts because I miss her so much , but when I think about all the oppurtunities she may have , you have to be happy that they are so brave....

[Lisazship2DIV928]

I miss my daughter so much she's been gone a month she's my best friend and worked with me so I feel you. it breaks my heart I don't have her here with me but I know this is for her future and I am happy she wanted to do this and the only thing that gets me through is thinking of the day she graduates and seeing that proud look on her face that she made it and will have a good future I can't wait to hug her it feels like she's been away for a year I'm proud of all these kids they are brave for leaving home and doing what they are doing I have so much respect for them all. you will be fine it will be hard but when you see your son in that uniform at graduation looking so grown you feel so happy I can't wait for that day. we have to let them grow up and leave sometime it just really sucks to watch them leave write him a lot it helps hope you find a way to get through this hard time God bless:)

[lemonelephant]

For those of you with daughters, you may also want to check out Women in the Navy, Mom’s of Navy Daughters, and Mom's of Daughters 2.

(Group names are clickable links.)

[BunkerQB]

[abbyg'smom]

You will find JOY where sadness was. I have not been myself since the minute she stepped onto that bus leaving for the airport! But trust me, it does get better! I missed her phone call last Saturday, and I cried all day and most of the day Sunday (Mother's Day). Even though I still have my 12 year old @ home with me, I just feel like one of my organs was removed (my heart) and I can't seem to get out of this "funk" some days....but it does get better ... I promise! Just focus on the fact that he has made a wonderful wise decision for himself and his life is about to change like it never could had he stayed home and done nothing or worked or even gone to college. The Navy will change him only for the better ... and think of all the wonderful places you will get to visit. Hang in there mom...he's a wise man and YOU raised him to do this! Take care and God bless! 

[jojo]

I am so glad I joined this, at least I don't feel like I am crazy, and reading your comments and stories really does help, I feel like someone finally understands me!!!  Bunker Qb, that made me laugh out loud!!  I am very proud of him and know that he needs to leave "the nest" just hard that it is going to be so far away. I have raised this wonderful good boy and now the Navy will help make him into a great man....

[abbyg'smom]

Brenda Kay thank you so much for the inspiring note ... I know in my mind that I will get through this .... but my heart tells me differently 

[Liberty]

I understand how you feel. My heart is broken, as well. This was a shock to me and I am still trying to get used to the idea. My son enlisted in April  and will leave for Boot Camp in October. I have cried and cried. Mostly, it is because I am terrified for his safety. Also, it is because I realize that if he makes a career out of the Navy (like he says he will) he will never live in our town again. He did give me a couple of weeks to get over the shock before he actually enlisted. Just as I was getting somewhat used to the idea, he scored very high on his test and is now training with the group here to try to do Special Ops. That was his plan all along, of course. It is a long road( and he will have to jump through many hoops to qualify )so I keep telling myself not to worry yet! Haha! His recruiter is very nice and was trying to make me feel better. He said "Well, there are more things to do in Special Ops than just SEALS". I said "What are they?"....When he said the word BOMB- in explaining what EOD meant I said "Oh, just stop now while you are ahead!". I am trying to laugh at my worrying and make the best of it. What else can I do? I just wanted you to know that you are NOT the only parent who is not thrilled! Proud? Of course...I am always proud of my son. But I am also worried. To be honest, I joined this site and I love talking with the other moms and reading everything- but sometimes it just makes me sad so I stay off for a few days.I find that trying to think about other things works best for me.

 Stay strong! I keep telling myself that I am not in control of this situation and I'd better make the most of it. Hopefully, it will be a fun adventure for him and he will enjoy every minute of it.....and I will learn to not worry and just be excited for him. Good luck!!!!