Hi

[momto navymat]

My son goes to boot camp 5/8. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way but how do I get over the feeling like my heart is going to be ripped out of my chest??

[MarineNavyMom]

I think you will start feeling better when you start getting letters and phone xalls. It will soon be replaced with so much pride you will forget how you feel right now.
I just watched my son graduate yesterday and I'm still beaming from ear to ear. Hang in there. It does get better!

[momto navymat]

Thank you so much! I'm sure I will feel better. I am so incredibly proud of him. I know he will do great things. 

[dwp'smommy]

My son is only a few weeks into bootcamp and there are good and bad days. I would have to say the pride talking about him when people ask is what helps. Hugs from one mom to another. Cherish the time before he leaves nothing is more important than that time.

[momto navymat]

Thank you so much! Hugs back. I try so hard not to cry in front of him, it's hard

[momto navymat]

I am currently opening a second childcare center and hope this will keep me busy enough to keep my mind somewhat off of it

[DonnaCatLover]

Oh mama, I know how you feel. I was there a little over a year ago. My son left for boot camp on April 20, 2016. I had such a hard time with him joining the military and kept wanting to ask him "Are you sure you want to do this?" But I kept those words to myself because I wanted to respect his decision. To keep myself from falling apart, I wrote our my feelings in my journal. I was so worried about whether he would survive boot camp and worried about how he would do in the Navy. My son has organizational issues and the Navy is now his organizer. He thrived in boot camp and has excelled in sub school. He has a purpose in life now and I am so proud of him. Boot camp is hard because there is no contact with them. Getting "The box" back was emotionally difficult - it was like everything that my son was in his former life with us was shipped back to us. But the cool thing is that you get LETTERS from your son! I wrote letters and gave him news from home and encouraged him to hang in there - that he had this. I didn't let him know how much I missed him because I wanted his focus to be on getting through boot camp. They are allowed one (very quick) call when they arrive, another call mid-way through (depending on the instructor) and then the exciting call at the end of "I'm a sailor!". Going to PIR if it is possible for you is incredible and it is so exciting to see your son after not seeing him for 2 months. I hope this helps and feel free to message me anytime. Hang in there - this is definitely a very hard emotional time for a mom.

[momto navymat]

Can you friend me as well?

[Navymamabear]

I don't think you get over it but learn to deal with it. My daughter left for RTC on the 17th and I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my life. I think I needed to let it all out though. I received the box yesterday and actually held it together pretty well. All week long I have been telling myself "this is her decision and there's nothing I can do to change it. And no amount of me being sad or worried will change anything at this point!" I guess that's all we can do! Enjoy your time before he goes!!!

[SharonH]

I wish I knew.

[cjtizzy55]

It's tough!   Take heart in the knowledge that your son has made the right decision for HIM.  I'm sure he did not go into this lightly.  Mine didn't.  He went in with eyes wide open (and mouth shut), and will be graduating in 2 weeks.  The time, although heart pulling, does fly by.   You'll get an initial "I'm here" phone call, then his box, then his form letter, then hopefully a phone call around week 3.  Write him everyday! We are lucky, our SR has the opportunity to email on Sundays (they are testing the waters with this), and through those email, I can "hear" how much he has grown, and really likes it.  Before you know it, your heart will not be ripping out -- it will be bursting with pride!   Take care and God Bless.

[AZ2OH2IL2UT]

My son just left on Thursday. I look as though I have pink eye!!! My eyes are so puffy from crying so much. I have read that the time goes by quickly. For everyone's sake, I hope this is true. I was looking forward to hearing from my son when he reached GL, unfortunately we never received a call. I did receive a text from him stating he landed in Chicago, but that's it. I am hoping that by sharing my feelings here with others, who are experiencing the same situation, it will help me get through the next two months. I will keep you updated and let you know how things are going. I can say since your son is leaving in a couple weeks, spend as much time with him as possible. Take lots of pictures too before he heads off to GL. Also, get as much information about Bootcamp before he leaves as you can. This sight has a lot of insightful information. I wish I had found this prior to my son's departure. Good luck to your son as he ventures into the next stage of his life. I know exactly how you are feeling. Best Wishes!!!

[Ysamar]

This is true...exactly: the heart is going to be ripped out of the chest...my Son left feb 08th...and there were horribles 8 weeks, all will pass on PIR day, when you hug him again.. I cryied every single day and prayer too, because boot camp is not easy, now he is in Mississippi for A school.