I need help!!

[shanmac1970]

My son leaves in 5 days for bootcamp and I am a mess!!!  I have no idea how to cope with this!!  my oldest went off to college 4 years ago but he stayed in state, now with my middle son getting ready to leave so far away and then not being able to talk with him for these next 8 weeks.....  I would love to hear from any of you moms that have already gone through this....     

 

Thank you so much

 

Shannon

[Worried Mama Ship14/Div300]

Hi Shannon,  I read your post and I can say with 100% surety I know exactly how you are feeling. Its probably one of the most difficult things you will go through, but I promise you will survive. I did! And I did it thanks to the help and support of the kind, wonderful moms you will meet on this site. Read through my posts, you will see you are where I was 1 month ago. But Im here now, anxiously awaiting his PIR. NEVER thought I would say that! I felt scared, sad, angry, I was completely overwhelmed and didnt know where to turn. Noone seemed to understand. But these moms "get it" and helped carry me through. Saying goodbye will take all the strength you have, but as a mom you will do it because you want to be strong for your son. You dont want to give him added doubt or worry, it will be stressful enough for him on his own when he first gets there. You will get that "Im here" call - DONT CRY! haha, easier said then done I know, but its a pact me and a few other moms made and I promise you it helps to keep saying to yourself "I promised not to cry". You will feel better about it if you hold the cry for when you hang up, trust me. You get so few precious seconds on the phone, dont waste it with tears. just tell him how proud you are and how mush you love him. This will be a long, emotional road. But think of it as your own personal bootcamp! You will see how much stronger you get as the days go by. Keep visiting the site, and vent as much as you need. Someone will always be here! Hang in there!

[BoxinatorMom Ship11 Div331]

Hi!
I took my son to his recruiter last Monday. I'm in week 2... you are going to be fine! Enjoy every hour for the next few days, have some good family time and talk to your son. Keep asking him to remind you why he wants to do this. And if it helps, write down his responses in a diary or somewhere for you!
Then once he's in Chicago you can read what he said! There is a web posting where a former recruit made a daily log of what recruits do each day. It has been relatively comforting for me to read the daily event and
imagine what my son is doing today.
Have you watched any of the videos online that review everything he will be doing? He will be in great hands,
just not ours! And that is what is supposed to happen.
My Navy son is my third child of four children. The first two went the traditional college route. This is SO different, but not better or worse. Just different.
Make this website your new friend, get involved with groups and projects and DO NOT WORRY! You're going to be sad....you're a Mom. From everything I have gleened, it's harder on us than the new recruit!
Let me know if you need to "talk". You're welcome to friend me!

[Craig]

If you know what's coming at you, it doesn't hurt that bad.  

You become the cheerleader then....

Read here to track what happens in boot camp day-per-day.

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433

[BunkerQB]

Read everything in this discussion. You'll get thru it and will really enjoy PIR. The survival guide will have all the links, videos, diagram of the barracks, etc.

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/survival-guide-for-navy-for...

By the way, I posted the above link on your personal page. Yes, newbies you each have your very own personal page. Just click MY PAGE on the above menubar and it'll open up. Browse around. You'll get the hang of it.

[kathleen]

Hi Shannon,  Watching my son leave for boot camp was truly one of the most difficult times of my life.  The first couple of weeks were very bad for me.  So bad that a friend from work came to me and said "I know you are going through a difficult time but I'm gonna need you to wash your hair!"  It was the first laugh I had since he left.  We are down to 3 weeks until we see him and I am doing much, much better.  Hang in there.  No one else knows how a mom feels except other moms.  And I mean no one!!!!

[Navymassmomship13div313]

I agree with kathleen. Not one person knows what you are going thru except the people here. My son left 8/2 i still cry here n there . I have his older sisters stalking the mailman on thursdays that is when his letter arrive. Continue to be in contact with the veteran moms on here . When u get his information of ship and division get in contact with other parents on the same ship it helps me alot. My son graduates on sept 28th hotel is booked ordering tshirts and ribbons this coming week. Write letters every day beginning the day he leaves they look forward to hearing positive feed back to get them through. Keep your eyes open and ears listening he is gonna look for your support. Congrats he will become a great sailor. And this is from a mom that three weeks ago hated the Navy he is the baby of the family. But after 2 letter from him i can say i am proud of being a navy mom. Hang tough we are here for u.

[darcy (Ship 2 Div. 947)]

So glad to see all of your comments. my son left 8/7 and I still cry at least once every day. We have not heard from him, only know ship 2. Div. 947. It's really rough not knowing anything! He graduates 10/2 and we will be so happy to see him. Then it will be off to Florida and my heart will break again...I just have to keep reminding myself this is what he wants to do and he was very excited about it! i am so proud of him and so sad at the same time. Can anyone tell me about the T-shirts I have seen people talking about?