So proud but finding it very difficult...

[Timsmom97]

Hello everyone...
I'm a new Navy mom and my son left for boot camp today! I know it's still very knew and only the first day however he is my first one to leave home and I'm having an extremely tough time emotionally. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I have read many of the comments and it looks like letter time varies. Any help is appreciated...

[Zoey]

I cry probably every couple hours and then I feel better! Write daily and keep an eye on your mailbox. I cried off and on at work this week. One of my co-workers bought me flowers and wrote me a note and put on my desk. Talk lots to close friends and hubby!

[Chipmunk]

Timsmom97 - How are you doing? You've made it a week since your son left. My sailor's PIR was 8-25-17, so your son would have just arrived and probably still been in processing. I did not know about this site, until a week before graduation, and there are several posts on what happens at boot camp, but this is the one that my husband found for me http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/navy-boot-camp-schedule.html - Later, we realized that things did not match up to the weeks exactly as I thought, but it was just enough for me to have an idea of what my recruit was going through, and to be proud of all the things my sailor would accomplish in a short amount of time.

It was easiest for me to send emails to my recruit and then I copied and pasted those into a word document, so they could be printed both sides with an extra little handwritten note at the bottom. As soon as I received the "form letter" which I think was about 2 weeks I sent my letter with all of the things I had been writing. Once that first letter arrived in my recruits handwriting and then also a phone call around week 3, I honestly was able to be more content. I also have a total of five children with a busy summer of weddings, moving apartments, and several other things, so as I told my recruit, the 8 weeks would probably go excruciatingly slow for them, but it honestly flew by for me, so much so that I was starting to panic trying to prepare for PIR, right after our second wedding of the summer and we were driving to GL, so our "I'm a sailor" call did not come until about 2.5 hours before we left.

Once I had my recruits address I passed it along to anyone and everyone that I knew and I also shared the letters with them, because they may only have time to write a few sentences. But they will do their best. They miss you as well, but the letters are a big help, and letters that just tell what is going on or happening. I was busy enough that after the first week or so, maybe not until I had the form letter, I started noticing I was doing better, because I didn't have to write an email that night to my recruit.

Allow God's peace and rest to comfort you, and draw on His grace, to enable you to make it through the next weeks, moment by moment, day by day.

[Nicksmom]

So glad I found this site. My son left on aug 24 for BC. Didn't know I should be writing now to send when address arrives. Waiting anxiously for the phone call and address. After dropping off 2 older sibling at college this is a much different journey. I'm not use to not being able to call or check in when I want. Trying to find as much info as I can online. This is
a huge help to read and connect with other moms going thru the same thing!

[Chipmunk]

Nicksmom, I started emailing my recruit, even though I knew they would never go through. I had not found this site and didn't have anyone else around me to support me other than my family and a mom at church whose son was deployed at the time, but not with the Navy. It was just my emotional release and opportunity to tell my recruit what had been happening at home. Once I had the address, I had several days of information that I could send and mail to my recruit.

I think the main thing was I noticed for myself, the ability to be less in need of having to write and reach out to my recruit somehow. I as well had sent off 2 older siblings to college and had one leave home at 18, you are correct, this was different though, because I could not call and they could not call me.

It gets easier and when they do write you, even if it is just a few lines, your heart swells because you are so proud of them and they are actually writing you. At least mine did. It also prepares you for "A" school, because even if they have more time, have access to phones, they are still busy and contact has to be on their part and very limited on your part. That is where having 2 kids off to college helps, you know that their schedule may be different than yours, so you can't just call them on the phone and know they will answer you.

Hang in there!!

[AzNavyMoM]

I feel u guys mine left yesterday and I am a wreck. He is my one n only child. I am super proud n scared. I can't stop crying. Ever since I knew he wanted to join I have had anxiety. I miss that guy n he's been gone only a day. Omg. I can't wait to get my call in a month.

[JamieA]

Hi Everyone, it's my husband's first week today in BC, he left 8/23. I was okay when he left but it's just getting harder and more emotional each day. And my output as well is to write him letters even though I haven't receive the form letter with his address yet. Even my 2yr old miss her daddy. I can't wait for the time 'til I can hug and kiss him again. <3

[Chipmunk]

JamieA - I just wrote a nice little note to you and then I clicked on your name to see where you lived and of course, the comment deleted, unless it actually sent.

So, without going into other details, I was in a similar situation with my husband when my oldest was 6 weeks old. That was 26 years ago, and I just had my fourth graduate from bc last PIR. Hang in there! I hope you have family and friends nearby. I will share some wise words that my mother told me, " If it is hard for you, think how hard it is for him." That helped me reevaluate my situation. - Our husbands want to provide for us and take care of us, but they also need to know that we are doing well. Dress you and your daughter up and have someone take a picture so you can print it and send. Some ladies suggest photocopying. Find activities for you and your daughter to go do and then write about your day to your husband. Some other wives might be able to chime in, but it will help him not feel like he is missing out on activities that your daughter is doing, but also don't over do it either because we don't want to impose guilt.

I've got to scoot, but keep your chin up. And it is okay to miss him!!

[samsmom]

Timsmom97- it is a struggle but keep yourself busy, write letters, let yourself cry. It is hard, but this time helps to strengthen your relationship with your son. My son graduated in March. Bootcamp helped him mature and focus more and it helped me appreciate Any communication I do have with him now. I wrote letters with information about our day and encouragement. It helped to fix some of the homesickness he had. Count the days to your next hug. Blessings on you!