My son left for boot camp yesterday

[mom2e. CTI]

I had no idea how hard it would be to say good bye. I went to MEPS yesterday to watch him swear in and spend a few hours with him before he left. I'm a wreck. I can't stop crying. I feel so silly for feeling this way but it's so hard. I'm trying to think positive thoughts but the tears keep coming. Please tell me this gets easier.

[Andysproudmom]

It does, I promise.  I cried for 2 hours solid the day my son left on July 2nd.  He is now over 1/2 way done and headed for the home stretch.  I about 7-10 days you will get "the box"  and cry all over again as you go through his pockets and possessions.  I turned on his cell phone and called it just so I could hear his voice. But the box gives you his address and it just makes your day.  It will still be about week 3 before you get a letter but just being able to write him will help.  Keep the letters upbeat.  He needs your support now more than ever and know that this website is a life-saver.  I have never posted something that wasn't responded to and in such a positive way.  We are all here for you. Our children aren't the only ones who are Navy Strong, us Moms are too!!!

[mom2e. CTI]

Thanks so much. I didn't know it would be ths hard. Unfortunately I did make the mistake of watching the You Tube videos and that ony made it worse. I felt like he had gone off to prison. I'm trying really hard to not feel sorry for myself and I know in my heart this will be such a great career for him. I'm just can't let go yet. It helps a lot knowing there are other moms feeling the same way and I'm not alone. Thanks Moms....best wishes to you as well

[TenaciousDee]

Hang in there because it is an emotional roller coaster, but I promise you it does get easier. Though my tears still come (My sailor graduated 6/29), it's an adjustment for all of us. Andysproudmom mentioned this site is a life-saver and it is. I had this site up 24/7. We know what you are going through and will go through and we're all here for you. Write every day to him and remember it's therapy for you as well to write. Send words of encouragement and tell him how proud you are of him. Copy and paste pictures from home...he'll love that. We're all in this together. I send you a HUGE hug!

[Worried Mama Ship14/Div300]

As a fellow, teary eyed mom - I can tell you it DOES get better. I was a wreck as the weeks got closer to him leaving, I broke down in sobs no matter where I was. I came on this site, I vented, and the love and warmth I received in return truly was one of the ways I was able to make it to where I am today. My son left on 7/25 and I truly believed I would never make it. I did! I cry often, and I think its good to cry. You are grieving a "loss", and your life from that day on will be forever different. Its taking me a long time to accept that, but I am slowly. Do not watch the videos - I believe knowledge is power but too much is detrimental. As a mom, you will drive yourself crazy seeing it all and worrying for your son. I too thought it would be lke prison, torturous. I know its not...word wouldve gotten around by now! Haha! Is it easy? Absolutely not - but its bootcamp, our sailors went in knowing that. My son's friend just graduated A school, so he is our "tour guide" of sorts! he said bootcamp was like a 4 star hotel, with very angry employees! hahaha! Honestly, remembering that helps me feel at ease with it. Saying goodbye, especially to one of our children is the hardest thing a mom will go through. They are thrown into your world one day and it is your sole duty to raise that child. You spend 18+ years seeing to the needs and wants of this kid. All the way up until they get on that van, and you feel like its all been stripped from you. But it hasnt. Its almost like kindergarten...remember standing at the bus stop as your tiny kid climbed the stairs? You smiled and waved as they nervously got in the seat and waved out the window? The bus took off and panic set in - OMG, what if that drivers drunk or a kidnapper? Haha, you just trust that driver is going to carefully deliver your son to his destination. And they get there, and it gets easier! Im trying to view this experience in a similar way. Im only 1 week in, so Im not a pro, but I can tell you with 100% surety that staying away from youtube, and scouring this site is the best therapy. That, and writing. Start writing to your son, and number the envelopes so he will know which order to read them. It helps you feel better that you are "communicating" with him. Yes, its one sided and you wont hear anything back for awhile - but thats no different than talking with a teen now, is it? I know its hard, but try to look at the positives and focus on them - soon enough, they start to drown out the fears and negativity. Best of luck to you and your sailor, feel free to message me anytime, we'll get through this together!

[mom2e. CTI]

Hi Worried Mama,
Thank you for your message. I received a 20 second phone call from my son on Friday during one of my crying fits. I felt so bad because all I did was cry during his call He said he had not been to sleep since the night before he left MEPS on Thursday. His voice sounded so sad it broke my heart. I hope they get into some sort of routine soon. I know it's called boot camp for a reason but I can't help worrying about him. He is a strong, tough kid so I know he will get through it. I have stopped watching videos so that"s helping Your suggestion to number the letters is fantastic. I have started writing him already and can't wait to send them to him. I'm going through this alone so having all of the mom's support has been a huge help. I hope you are doing well. Thanks again.

[Leisa Ship13 Div309 Grad 9-28]

Mom2e, i sent you a freind request.  My son left aug 1 for great lakes and i can just duplicate how your feelings, its horrible way to feel.  I cleaned up his room this weekend as he was a pig lol, but it made me upset and crying and like a mom mentioned above i found a shirt that had not been cleaned and had his cologne smell on it.  I did not wash it and am keeping it like that so i can smell him, it was very upsetting though.  This website not sure but may be my computer seems very slow just wondering if it was to you.  Anyway I sympathize with you and hopefully we can get through this together.  Are we allowed to send personal email addresses to fellow moms on here or do we have to stick to this sight?  I would love to have  someone to talk to through all this as it is incredibly hard.  Hope to hear from you!  Leisa (from Texas)

[mom2e. CTI]

Hi Leisa, I hope you are doing ok. I also kept out a shirt with my son's cologne on it. Its nice to be able to smell him I haven't had any issues with this website but I only access it with my ipad. I can't believe it has been a week already. I hope the rest of the time goes by as fast. I have been writing to my son every night and that's also been a big help in getting through this. I'm not sure about sending personal email addresses but I'd be happy to give you mine if we can share that info. Take care. Karen (Southern California)

[mom2e. CTI]

Wow! What a difference 2 weeks can make. I am happy and at peace. I spoke to my son a week ago ( he needed info for his security clearance) and he sounded so much better than the first 20 second call. A few days later the form letter arrived and that was a big surprise because we thought his graduation was the first week of Oct instead of the last week in Sept. I was ecstatic to know this journey would be over sooner than we expected. Today I received my first real letter. It was so nice to see his writting and I could hear his voice in the words I read. He is doing well and seems happy except for his troubles with folding bed corners tight. To all the moms that have cried more tears than you ever thought possible (I know), I am very happy to say it gets easier every day. I rarely tear up anymore and find myself smiling and beaming with joy because I am so in awe of him and so very proud of the young man he is becoming. Hang in there, you will adjust just as your son or daughter is doing. Remember to take it one day at a time and try to smile a little more each day. My heart goes out to all of you. Take comfort in knowing that strangers you have never met are here to help you. Together we will be strong and proud for our children who are already so brave. Stay strong one day at a time :-)). P.S. writing a letter to him every day has been extremely helpful too