Rookie Navy Mom

[Joesmama]

My son is two weeks into Boot Camp and I'm sure all is well. It's the first kid to leave the nest and I didn't think I would miss him so much. Some of my friends said it's like college. I beg to differ. In College you can skype, email, get to them if you need to and they can do the same. So no it is not the same. Technology is a blessing and a curse, we've gotten used to instant communication. I will say the first thing I did was clean his room and all those clothes that he did not wear for years went to a homeless shelter. I felt a little guilty, but it needed to be done. Anyway, let me know how you coped.

[TexasMomof2]

Oh my........YES, you will hear this from many people...."What's the matter?  It's like them going away to college..."  No no no no no......but you are in the right place because all of us understand and have been through the same thing.  Just keep writing him.  Helps pass the time.  Have you joined the group Boot Camp Moms?  If not, you need to do so.  It's a lifesaver!

[Dave's Mom]

My son left for boot camp on 7/11 my 1st born ....i've been a mess since he's been gone not doing much of anything but work & back. We got our 1st letter from him on Wednesday it helped but i still wish he would call soon. I have to agree boot camp is NOTHING like college for us or our sons/daughters. I did the same a week after he left i spent a whole weekend in his room cleaning it getting rid of old clothes & just thinking of where the time went my baby left a young boy but will be coming home a man. God bless all our soilders!

[Joesmama]

I know it takes some getting used to, but I know my son made the right choice for his life. If all goes well at Boot Camp and A school he will have a very bright future. Let's face it the military is still hiring. My older son is looking at ROTC even though he graduates from college in 2012. They can still be in ROTC when they are a Grad student. Who knew? That bit of info was delivered at MEPS waiting for Joe to ship out. Good times.

[bekka2u2]

It is very hard to have your child leave. I have only one child and that would be a girl. She did the Army Nat'l guard for 2 years and decided to go Navy (active). I was devastated when she left. It is no way like her leaving for College. We did the leaving for College thing. She went about 3 hours away and stayed in a dorm. This time she was going to Great Lakes. No phones, can't write for like 2 weeks or so. Knowing that they are going to change and be a different person ( I kind of liked the person I molded for 20 plus years). But on the other hand I knew that this was what she wanted. I knew that there really wasn't a whole lot of jobs in our area. It will be a good experience for her.

What I would recommend is start writing letters. And pick up some just because cards. Stay possitive in your letters and don't worry them with the way you are feeling except to let them know that you do miss them. I sent newspaper clippings because another class graduated from her High School and some of her friends got married so I sent that clipping to her. Go to the sites often and get to know others that will be graduating the same day as your son. It really does help.

Good luck. Stay strong. 

[wisconsinmom]

Friends try to be supportive, but the ladies here are right, a child going into the Navy is not like one going to college.  The communication gets better later in boot camp, they get a phone call once in a while and can usually write letters once a week.  I carried my cell phone all the time and it never failed i would get a call in the noisiest places!  It gets way better after boot camp when they go to A school. They can call or text when not in class and you can send packages with goodies and their stuff. Hang in there!!

[Momof3kidz(IT)]

My own extended family doesn't get it!  "He's only been gone for 2 weeks." Uggh!!  They are clueless and it's frustrating for me.  He's been gone for over 5 weeks now and PIR is in the near future.  Thank God I have N4M website where I can go and vent and people "get it!"

[BunkerQB]

Don't bother to explain to family and friends unless they are military; otherwise, they just don't get it.

[ebigirl]

The very best advise and people who truly understand what you are feeling are right here on this AWESOME website. I would have gone crazy if I hadn't found this site and kept in touch with our PIR group. No question is stupid unless you don't ask it (IMHO)!!!!

 

[snuffsmom]

I totally agree, it is nothing like when they go to college and no one really gets it. It is way more difficult than I thought and I do miss him terribly. I do believe it makes it so much harder with NO Communication at all. My son is graduating Sept 9th as well and I am in the process of making the travel arrangements but really unsure about how many days we should stay. I don't know how long we have with them. Can you give me some guidance on this.

[Joesmama]

As much as I would like to hang out with him as long as I can,we just cannot predict what their time table will be. So you just have to work within your time frame to get back to your life and enjoy the time you get. Welcome to the Military. Sad, but true and if you are upbeat about the time you get to spend with them then they will be too. I agree with the Mom who said your new Sailor will want to just hang with their family. They will be so happy to be done with boot and out in a different environment and seeing their family, it won't matter if there is an activity.