New Navy Mom

[AJVNavyMom]

Hi all. I am so excited to be a part of this group. Our son joined the Navy July 13 and is leaving for Boot January 4th. He has been training all summer and has lost 30 pounds. We couldn't be more proud of him, and know that he will have an amazing life. I'm just so sad for the day we say good bye. Any advise on how to prepare myself and still be strong for our daughter saying goodbye to her brother? I look forward to all your feed back and Thank you in advance!

AJVNavyMom :)

[Linda (Seth's mom)]

Dear AJVNavy Mom, the day you say good bye will be soooo hard but I promise you it will get better. I was so worried how I would handle that day, and yes I cried but he did too, But we didn't die and we are so proud of him. He has been in a year and is seeing the world. Linda(Seth's Mom)

[AJVNavyMom]

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. And thank you to Seth! We'll get through, I'm sure. :)

[AJVNavyMom]

Thank you Sandy. I tear up reading this. I thought I was going to be the rock for my husband and daughter for the process of saying goodbye to our Sailor, Adam. As father time gets the best of us, I find myself crying more. My sleepless nights are full of silent tears on my pillow. I want to be strong and frustrate that I am not the rock I always thought I was. Although I don't know you, I feel your pain and send a hug to you and all the Navy Moms who had or have to say goodbye. I admire you all. Take lots of pictures and videos of Darren and please keep in touch through here. I'm thinking of you! Thank you Darren for all you are doing!
Kellie (Adam's mom)

[AJVNavyMom]

Hi Cindy~

I thank you so much for letting me know that I'm not alone. We weren't planning on going to MEPS either, we're going to drop him off at the recruiters office on the 4th. The very thought of driving away and seeing him in the rearview mirror for the last time is killing me. I have to erase my thoughts when I get too deep into them. The holidays are going to be tough for us, and I want him all to ourselves, but I know it'll be better to be around family for Adam to say goodbye, but I'm afraid that every time he hugs someone goodbye, I'll loose it! Argh. Thank you again for the kind words!
Kellie (Adam's mom)

[AJVNavyMom]

Hi Debbie~
Thank you. You're right, it is "see you soon," never goodbye. I think our son is starting to feel it coming too because he now asks me for a hug every day and seems to hold on just a bit longer. We are really close and I will miss him terribly. He turns 21 Friday, so I plan on making the day all about him with friends and family and taking a lot of pictures! Thank you to your son for all he has given up.

[sunshine73]

Our sons leave on the same day. Our future sailors have been training hard and their day will be here before you know it. I completely understand what you are going through. Everyone has given such great advise and I hope I can be strong when the time comes. I look forward to staying in touch with you.

[Trina]

Sitting here reading all these comments, all I can do is cry. My son is just in the process of talking to the recruiter, and he has talked about going into the Navy since he was about 10, and he is now 19, but I still cry every time I think about him going away. I know it sounds silly, especially because I come from a family that has had many members in the Navy and my niece and her husband are in the Navy now and my nephew is in the Marine Corp, but it is still very hard. I am trying very hard to support him, which the mother in me doesn't want him to go but the reasonable side of me says it's the best thing for him. I just joined Navy for Moms, so I could be a better supporter of my son's decisions, but did not realize until I started reading, that I'm not the only mother out there that has the concerns I do. Thank you all for being here!!!

[jbocklage]

what do you get your recruit in boot camp at Christmas?

[DONNA/MOM/EM3 NUKE/CLASS 1107-2]

Our son just arrived in bc at 2:15am this morning. I am very relieved that he is finally there. After dropping him at the recruiter 2:00 on Monday, it's been alot of hurry up and wait, which made it even harder. Monday was just a dry run for the finality of Tuesday. Kellie, I know you fear going to MEPS, but I think you really need to. Almost all the parents, grandparents, siblings were there all cheering the recruits onto the bus. It's final, but that last glance, smile, thumbs up after the tearful goodbyes leaves you with a better feeling. I can almost bet that when your recruit is on the bus, and sees you 'SMILING" and waving it also gives them a better feeling. That last minute of positive encouragement goes along way. When he called me from the airport he sounded really excited and less nervous. At MEPS you get to eat lunch with them, see them get sworn in & get pictures. It might be tougher for you, but it will definately be better for your recruit to be there.

[Lynne]

You have gotten lots of good advice and I would just add a couple of things. First, allow yourself to feel these feelings. Feelings are never right or wrong...they just are. Be sure to spend time in New Moms Stop here and Boot Camp for Moms. These groups will prepare you for what is to come and you will meet other moms who are experiencing much of what you are talking about. Then, when your son has arrived at boot camp you will get a form letter that will contain his ship and division and PIR date. You will then be directed to a group that wil be full of other moms, fiancees, wives etc. just like you that are going through the same kinds of things while your recruits are away. This will be your life line. You will laugh, cry, worry, and anguish over your recruits. You will learn about what they are doing and sometimes you might even know more than they do. You will go through a kind of boot camp yourselves and when you are done you will have earned your navy stripes: proud and strong. Take care...you and your child have embarked on a great journey. This is only the beginning.