Missing him badly....

[Navy mom of 2]

My son left Friday for basic training and I received my "I am here!" phone call a few hours later.  I wanted to ask him a million questions, but he said he needed to go and even though I understood, I felt like I was letting him go all over again.  I have been crying on and off since I left MEPS on Friday.  Does this get easier???  I am sure I will feel better when I receive his first letter and again when I get to hear his voice again when he calls in 3 or so weeks, as he told me over the phone he would.  But I cannot stop thinking...I wonder what he is doing now?  Is he eating..sleeping.  Is he being yelled out?  Is he scared?  I know...I am being a mom, but I want to know what everyone else went through and does anyone have any tips to help me cope a little better?  Did I say I really miss him????

[navymom21]

Hi..My daughter left on April 3rd....This Is normal..I guess some of us are worse than others..lol... I cried ALOT when my daughter told me she was joining.., but after awhile I realized how excited she was It got easier...I did really good up until a few days before she was leaving for boot camp..then I was a mess..again.... I just keep thinking about how excited she was and that she doesnt want to stay around home anyhow...So ,that helps....I talk to some ladies on here too & write,,,that all helps...Some days are easier than others.....I got her box last week and still waiting on her form letter.....I am like you too...just want to hear their voice to make sure they are really ok & love it .........So , my advice besides the writing & talking Is, Just think about what they want to do with their life,.., how excited they were to do this & whether we want to let go , we have to let them grow up , because this Is there life , and we want them to be happy !!  And , I REALLY mis  my daughter too,,,! take Care !!navymom21....If u  want to keep In touch , friend me....

[wcrwf11]

Hi....I have to agree with navymom21. It was really hard in the first few weeks, but it does get easier. Stay strong :)

[Shaunermom.2013]

My son left on April 13, I really miss him.  I did get his I arrived call as well but I didn't get to ask a lot of questions and felt like he was a little down. My son is older, but it is still hard.  Is there anyway to send a letter before we receive the package? We would all like to write to him so he knows that we are thinking about him. 

[CTRSAWagonersMom]

Walking my son to the security checkpoint at the airport when he left for boot camp was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  It will get easier, I promise, and you will be absolutely AMAZED at the transformation after just 8 weeks.  My son is in intelligence, and is in "A" school in Pensacola and he is so happy and proud of himself, as am I.  

Like you all, I had a million questions every time he called.  He finally said to me, "mom, I just want to hear how everyone back home is doing".  I tried to utilize the phone time to bring him up to speed on things at home, and of course to reiterate how proud of him I was.  

It may take 3 - 4 weeks before you receive your first letter.  Once they arrive at boot camp, and are assigned to their "ships", they will be assigned or volunteer for jobs, one job is mail clerk.  So, don't be surprised if it take a little while, just be patient.  I started writing letters as often as possible, so when they started receiving mail, my son would have a bunch of letters from home.  I also encouraged family members and friends to send cards and letters.  They don't have a lot of storage space, so keep that in mind when sending things.

The most important thing is to tell your sailor how proud of them you are every time you talk to them, or send a letter and stay strong.  There may be times when they feel down, but just do your best to be upbeat.  They will appreciate that more than anything.

Hang in there mom!

[Shaunermom.2013]

Is there an address I can begin sending letters to or just write them and be ready to mail when I receive his letter or box?

[lemonelephant]

Shaunermom.2013, just start writing letters and have them ready to mail when you receive the form letter with his address. 

Join the group, DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in April, to connect with others with loved ones who left the same day and may have PIR together.

You may want to join, or at least check out, Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), PIR Reference Information, and New Members Stop Here. Once you know your SR’s PIR date and/or division number, watch in Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and/or at http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date and join the group for that once it has been created. There will be a lot of great information and support for you in those groups. Be sure to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions within the groups. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening, but you will also want to check out the other Pages in all of the groups.

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

[GR8RABsMom]

My son left the 11th and I am truly surprised at how hard this is!  I felt great on Friday after a full day of crying on Thursday.  On Friday, I thought, "Wow, this is easier than I anticipated."  I was proud of myself.  Saturday turned out to be horrible - I woke up crying; today has been much the same.  I am so very proud of what he is doing and would much rather have him off to build his life than hanging around here doing nothing with his life, but that doesn't make me miss him any less.  Oh, the hurt is awful!!  If I could just hear his voice, hear what's going on with him . . . I'm not used to him not checking in with me.  I wonder how many times he's wanted my advice!  He's always been a momma's boy and I know he has wished that he could talk to me at least once.  My husband says I'm doing great, but I don't feel that way.  I'm not interested in my work, don't want to clean house, don't even want to cook or eat.  Oh, I pray, that things get better because this weekend has been one of the worst in my entire life!

[CTRSAWagonersMom]

Oh, GR8 - I know the heartache can feel overwhelming, I have cried myself to sleep so many nights.  It may be 2 - 3 weeks before he is able to call, so hang in there.  My son did tell me that some division lost their phone privilages due to poor performance/behavior.  I think the RDC's (Recruit Drill Commanders) do this as a means of discipline and to encourage the recruits to work together as a team.  Just in case it's a while before you hear from him, it may be out of his control.  

I put a date countdown app on my phone with a photo of me and my son at MEPS the day he left, that seem to help me as it was a reminder that he was doing something he always wanted to do.   My son was in boot camp over Thanksgiving AND Christmas - which was very hard.  We did participate in Adopt-A-Sailor on Christmas day as were able to get him for the day, along with one of his shipmates.  I can't even begin to describe the feeling of seeing him for the first time in his uniform!  I have never been so proud of anyone or anything in my life!

Hang in there mom, you will get through.  Just remember that he needs you to be strong and encouraging!  He will make you very proud!!

[Shelly804]

Hello am Shelly, and am kinda new to thiw website. Where is Spell Check on here? LoL ~ My daughter Amber will start the prosess April 16th, 2013 to leave for Great Lakes on April 17th, 2013. In away am fine with her leaving. Amber has been away at College for 5 Years. It's time for Amber and all of our loved ones. To start the Next Chapter and follow their Dreams.

I'm on Twitter @Shelly804

Everyone Have a Great Day.

[lemonelephant]

Shelly, the only way to have spell check on the site is to sign in on Mozilla Firefox and then it is part of the program or you can write your post in a word document and then paste it over if you use a different browser.