The dreaded box

[NAVY4BB]

So yesterday the dreaded box with my son's things came just as they said. The tears started flowing again. I find this more difficult then when he went off to college or took a job in another state for 3 months or even when he vacationed Thailand for a month back packing. I just find myself crying each time I think of him. Wondering how he is doing on the PFA or if his area is clean and tidy(never was at home) and just in general wondering how he is doing. He makes friends easily. I just miss him so very much. But I am also so very proud of my SR. Just this initial part is the hardest. I already have a couple of letters written that as soon as we get his address they can get into the mail to him. His girlfriend will also be writing so he will get plenty of mail. Love ready this site it has given me a lot of information. Thank you
Navy4BB

[Navyvet/navymom]

I know how you feel...I got the “dreaded box” last week.  As someone who’s  got a child in boot camp and actually been there herself, I hope I can offer you some comfort. P-days are tough. They’re tough on everyone. I remember the first two nights I was in boot, I thought I had made a horrible decision and I missed my mom so much I thought my heart would break. As the 3rd day rolled around and I had gotten some decent sleep, things were better. Remember this...no news is good news in Basic Training. His days right now are filled with medical exams, dental, vision, hearing, legal, financial, and about a million other things. As soon as he gets to his division he will be too busy to be homesick. I remember the one thing that got me through boot....MAIL!! I didn’t care if my mom wrote a letter telling me about her trip to the grocery store....it was mail. I even went and bought some random funny cards to send to her when I didn’t have a lot to say in a letter. Please know you aren’t alone in thisi...and neither is your son. Chin up, go to Hallmark and buy a handful of the funniest, dumbest humor cards you can find...it’ll make you laugh and it will make his day. No mushy, emotional cards right now...save those for graduation. #gonavy

[Cherie]

Been there. I does get easier.

[1underGod]

Hello Navy4BB. Once or children decide to join the Navy, we begin to ride an "emotional rollercoaster". Our love for them grows to degrees we never imagined as does theirs for us. Our faith in God, that he was guiding n protecting our son, was the only thing that kept us sane during BC last year in Sept. Now that he's on deployment and we have not been able to communicate with him for 4 days, it takes us back to BC. The long days n weeks without knowing if he was ok, are in preparation for future deployments when the same will occur.  Some say it gets easier, but he's still my boy and I still worry. You n ur son are in our prayers. BeNavyMomStrong. God bless.

[NAVY4BB]

UnderGod, thank you, I feel like you know the feelings I am feeling. Everyone says no word from BC is good news but I would just like to hear it from him. Just a little call on a Sunday of how he is doing and what he has coming up. I have no doubt in my mind he will pass the practicals but it's the folding his clothes and making bed I worry about lol

[1underGod]

Mine was a "baby". All of 18years old when he left. However, I treasure the letters he wrote to us thanking us for everything we had done for him all his life. He was, and had been since then, so appreciative of all we did to prepare him for life. Many parents go their whole life waiting to hear those words from their children. Our son repeats them often reminding us how blessed we are. But how do we calm the storm within our hearts. We carried then in our womb, felt them move within, ... Words can not express the immense amount of love we have for our children.  He will have grown so much as a person once you see him at RDC  that making his bed will b the least interesting topic of conversation..lol.  There will be so many funny, and scary and sad stories he will probably share about BC. It's will b so exciting! 

[Navyvet/navymom]

Mine is a baby too. She turned 18 September 7 and shipped out Oct. 15.  What’s worse is that she’s so tiny we had to go buy weight gainer powder from GNC and “fatten her up” so she would make weight at MEPS! Lol...we got her up to 99 pounds and they let her ship out!! She’s bee. at Great Lakes a week and nearly 3 days now....

[NAVY4BB]

Mine is 25 he has already put momma through dive academy and worry about him being under water. He always tells his dad and I thank you for all we do for him. He is our "Baby". He has 2 brothers and 1 sister all older, so tell me who is spoiled.

[NAVY4BB]

Your daughter got there 2 days before my son. He got there on October 17th. He wasn't scheduled until October 29th then they called him up early.

[Navyvet/navymom]

I think they got him in early so they could get them graduated before Christmas..which is a good thing!!! Chloe’s p-days lasted a couple of extra days so I’ll bet they were waiting for more recruits to get there so they could form their division. They may be in the same division! Chloe is in 047. She ran her prt today so tomorrow is 1-1 day...hopefully the letter will be here soon!!

[NAVY4BB]

How do you know her division already thought that is in the letter we are waiting on for address

[Navyvet/navymom]

NAVY4BB....I kinda cheated...I have a navy buddy who’s an RDC up there. He let me know she was ok and what division she was in.

[lv2terp]

This might be too late with this tip, as you most likely have the info you need, but I was able to get the ship and div # from my son's recruiter just one day after he left (left Nov 8th, and had the address details on the 9th).  I am not sure about when he will receive the letters, maybe writing early does not expedite anything.