I'm a wreck!

[GoatLady (USS Theodore Roosvelt)]

I'm a wreck and he hasn't even left yet.  And the sad thing is that he probably won't be leaving until June or July.  This whole thing has hit me like a ton of bricks.  He had talked on and off about joining the Navy, but I thought it was just talk because he talked about other options, too.  Then WHAM!  He and his Dad are off to talk to the Recruiter.  I was told "don't worry, we are just getting information."  Next thing I know, he has decided to join the Navy and the ton of bricks have fallen on my head.

I go from being so proud of him to crying my eyes out.  Is this silly?  How I am going to be when he REALLY does leave?  I am afraid I will be a basket case!

I did get the book "When the Eagle Invades the Nest."  I cried my way through that.  Seems like I cry a lot lately.  Kleenex should show a hefty profit this year!

Is this normal?

[GoatLady (USS Theodore Roosvelt)]

I know this is the best thing for him.  It just really caught me off guard.  It is all so new.  I think once it really sinks in, I will be OK.  Thanks for listening! 

[bendebhartner(ship09-DIV075)]

It will get worse before it gets better, so spend as much time with him as possible before he leaves. Support him in this, because he wants and needs your approval, don't smother him but give him lots of encouragement and cry in your room behind closed doors. My son left for Boot Camp on the 14th of Dec. I know how you feel, I had to keep telling myself my parents supported me in whatever I did at his age, and I will do the same, God Bless and be a proud mom that your son has chosen this career path.

[himmiemom]

First be proud of him and his choice to join the Navy.  Second spend quality time with your son and what I found helpful was writing in a journal your feelings.  Sometimes writing it down helps.  Third you are doing it right now.  Sorting through all your feelings.  Crying is okay.  It doesn't matter if you just found out or if you are three weeks into boot camp with your son like I am.  It is a roller coaster of emotions and that is to be expected.  I knew over a year that my son was joining the Navy.  He finally got in two weeks before his high school graduation in May.  That is when it really hit me.  I was proud of him and happy for him, but also sad all at the same time.  The hardest part has been the unknown through all of this.  N4M has given me new friends and precious information to help me through all of this.  I honestly don't know what I would have done if I hadn't heard about this site.  There is no parent handbook out there to cover everything we experience in life, but having others to talk to that have gone through it or others going through it at the same time makes a world of a difference.

[GoatLady (USS Theodore Roosvelt)]

Oh my! You sound so much like me!  I cry at the drop of a hat.  I think about him leaving for Boot Camp - I cry - getting the first letter or call - I cry - him coming home - I cry - PIR - I cry - him coming home for the holidays - I cry - him leaving after the holidays - I cry.  I am glad you don't think I'm nuts because I think I am!  My husband tells me that I am just entering a new phase of my life and it all seems so new right now.  But it will all be OK and Nathan (my son) will be OK.  So I need to stop worrying (easy for my husband to say!  he is not a Mom!)  My son hasn't graduated yet from high school, he will this Spring.  I am here, too, if you need someone to talk to!

[RenoMom (Ship 03 Div 080)]

My husband told me to stop crying because I need to be there for him!!!  Hee Hee.  Totally normal and you will continue to cry on and off.  Sometimes I just have to tell people when they ask me about my son that I don't want to talk about it.