Leaving for Boot Camp the Week of October 25th 2010

[KLMkathy]

I thought it would be nice to start a discussion for our children leaving the week of October 25th 2010.  Welcome everyone.  Kathy   

[Nancy]

Hi Betsy,
I think that it helps me maintain my sanity to read the posts from other moms and realizing that everyone is going through essentially the same steps of acceptance of this new reality. I am looking forward to knowing the Divisions so we can find out who will be back in GL at the same time. I am really hoping some of the awesome people from this group will be back at the same time as me. Kind of like some familiar faces, if you get my meaning. LOL
Nancy

[NavyGirl]

Hello Ladies,
I see ive missed alot. haha
yall are crazzy :)

anyway.. from a future sailors perspective..
I AM STRESSIN OUT!
running every morning,
eating small amounts
and workin out everynight.
and NOT LOSING WEIGHT
i have about ten pounds to go
to be under my weight.
its pretty tough.
and now i only have 20 days
to lose it and hopefully more
so im not on that line.

its been pretty crazy lately.
but an upside is for our next dep meeting were going to norfolk virginia to take a tour of a ship and the base there. i think itll be really good experiance seeing what its all like.
also, my boyfriend is in the airforce and is at mississippi rightn now and is "suprising" me this weekend for a visit.
haha i already know about it cause his family is bad at keeping secrets.

anyway my mom is haven a real hard time now, its starten to show, she talks about it everday. and theres a calendar on the fridge that has a huge sad face on the day i leave. :(
but ill tell you all what i keep telling her.

Dont dread it, because it shows what good parenting youve done, your child is doing something with their life, something that is beyond themself, its not just benefitting them, their doing something honorable. and you should be proud. also, if your now an "empty nester" which my mom will be, this will be finally the time you get to focus on you and the things youve given up for your children. and if you have other children, its their time for special attention. dont look at it as a bad thing, but as a growing experiance. :)

i hope yall have a wonderful resa the week :)

-ashleigh

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Ashleigh, I'll just echo all the mom's replies to your comments. Well said Future Sailor! You've got the right perspective and I know even though you are nervous, you are obviously mentally and emotionally ready for this big transition and step out into your new adult life. :) I'm sure your Mom is already so proud of you!!

The first few weeks after you pass that sad face on your calendar will be rough on your Mom, it's a huge adjustment for both of you, but you and she will adjust. The last thing she would want is you being distracted, worrying about her. :) I hope she will continue to use this site to reach out and connect with the others here.

I know many Moms have put their own identities and needs completely aside to focus on raising their kids. That's a noble thing, there's no higher calling than being a great Wife, Mother-and eventually Grandma-but sometimes it can get out of balance. I asked my BFF what her dreams or goals were once her six were grown and out of the house. (she still has some years to go) She paused, started to answer, stopped, stumbled and couldn't continue. She had honestly not thought about it, beyond the title of "Mom", what she wanted to learn or do, who she wanted to be, once her young adults were successfully "launched". Of course, she's been just a wee bit busy! LOL She and her hubby just went out on their first (date) night out alone in so long, she couldn't remember when they last had!

I've been told that the "empty nest" season of life can be a wonderful, rich time of self discovery and growing, (Tell Mom that we have an N4Ms Group for that-empty nesters- btw) I do hope all the Moms take the time to pat themselves on the back for a job very well done, then support their Recruits fully through this transition and training time, but also invest a bit in themselves. Thanks for encouraging them! :) Some Moms have used the weeks of BC to jumpstart an exercise program and/or chose some new healthy habits. :-) It's a nice reward to get to buy a new outfit for your new Sailor's PIR! =)

[ElizabethC]

Ashleigh....you are an amazing girl, thank you for sharing your words of widsom....you have touched me so deeply with your post....I can see you are going to have such a bright and wonderful future. I understand how your mom feels about you leaving, but I also know she is so proud of you.....she must be a wonderful mom to have raised a bright, caring, thoughtful and beautiful girl. ((million trillion HUGS to you)) :o)
Elizabeth

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Hey Ashleigh, I almost forgot, here's some tips on that weight loss... 10lbs in 20 days is tough, but doable IF you are disciplined and dedicated to it. Just please do it in a smart and healthy way! Don't try to starve yourself to get there. It will probably backfire. We don't want your body to be stressed out, or your immune system weakened in the process! The average person burns one calorie a minute at rest. Upping the intensity of your activity level (in this case, your workouts) will increase the rate at which your body burns those calories at. 2-3 pounds in a week is a reasonable average for weight loss, so you are going to have to accelerate things a bit and really watch how much and what you eat!! It's simple math, really. In order to lose weight, you have to expend more energy than you consume. :) Cardio activity (running, swimming, fast walking/treadmill with hills/inclines, an elliptical machine, rowing, aerobics or dancing) is a great way to burn those extra calories. Plus, keep in mind that in order to lose one pound, you'd have to have a deficit of 3500 calories a week, or 500 calories a day. (That means you need to have an idea of what you are currently consuming.) You may want to keep a food journal, simple awareness is often a key to successful weight loss! Portion control is key too, (careful when eating out, use a lunch sized plate for dinner at home, chew slowly and always wait 20 minutes before having any seconds. It takes that long for your brain to signal your body that you are full. Listen to your belly.) as is good nutrition.

Brandon has the right idea, HYDRATE tons, (aim for 8 glasses a day. Hint: a slice of lemon in your water will make it taste better AND acts as a diuretic, i.e. it reduces bloating weight.) Fiber will fill you up and help your body move out stored, unneeded components/waste (to be delicate about it! LOL) so focus on those whole grains, (NO white rice or pastas) and (a shameless plug from the gal in WA ) eat them apples, especially an hour before dinner-the doctors are right, it'll help you stay healthy AND to avoid overeating. Protein is important for sure, some is needed to fuel and especially to recover from, your workouts, BUT don't overdo it (ala Atkins or something) and stick to lean cuts like chicken or turkey breast, ground turkey and fish (tuna, tilapia and shrimp are great!). It's actually GOOD carbs (some veggies, whole grains) and GOOD fats (avacado, olive oil, canola oil, olives-in small quantities) that your body will use (burn) for fuel and energy consumption and to build muscle. Muscle in turn, burns calories more efficiently, and is leaner. So, as an aside, strength training is good in general, for women too, especially as we get older, to build and keep strong bones and prevent diseases like osteoporosis, rev up our metabolisms and burn fat. =)

NEVER skip breakfast. Your body goes into a mini starvation mode overnight, if you don't fuel it first thing, it thinks it won't be receiving any fuel soon, so it goes into energy conservation mode and stores it, often as fat! :( If you eat a whole grain serving, with fruit and a little protein for breakfast (don't forget your milk for calcium and vitamin D) then go exercise, your metabolism will be revved for 14-16 hours afterwards, burning calories more efficiently and at a higher rate. At least, make a power smoothie (like lowfat yogurt/milk, fresh fruit, and some protein powder) or an on the go healthy breakfast burrito (i.e. egg whites or substitute and turkey sausage with lowfat cheese or the egg with salsa/sweet peppers and mt jack cheese) on a whole wheat or corn tortilla.

To achieve your big goal, you will now have to be a little extreme, i.e. avoid sugars/deserts as much as possible, (read your labels and watch the high fructose corn syrup) eat more whole foods, (less packaged and processed stuff, there's so much excess sodium and-sugar-calories in those.) stay away from fast foods, avoid extra salt, fattening condiments (like mayo), and don't drink sodas, not even diet! Again, stick to whole and multi grains, lots of fruits and veggies, lean meats, small portions, lots of clear water, plus up the intensity, frequency and duration of your exercise. Get others to jump in and do this with you and hopefully you'll all see results in the next three weeks and feel amazingly good as well! :-) Hope that helps give you a jump start and tackle this goal prior to shipping out. Your Recruiter's office might have a program or info they can give you too, as there are always Recruits who have to lose some pounds before they ship. Good Luck. Keep us posted!! :-)

[NC_Susan]

What a great idea to get get Navy things for the party! I wish I had thought of that - way to go :) Great news about your Drew. He shouldn't have a problem next time he takes it. Susan

[Lori_KingsBay_USSRI_Radio]

THANKS Susan! You too :-)

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

they will get all the shots in boot...even if you send proof that thay have had them. So it won't make any differnece...just one more stick..but before boot camp. Make sure they do take vitamins...Immunity Boosters before boot camp. All the rcts get sick...respiratory, pneumonia, pink eye, etc

[Lori_KingsBay_USSRI_Radio]

Kathy - We were planning to get Adam a flu shot but he is not comfortable doing so. He wants to wait until he gets to BC so I am not getting him one. Will keep my fingers crossed he avoids a serious flu virus while in BC. Enjoy your surprise dinner. Adam didn't want a huge party either; we are keeping it to immediate family and a few close friends, about 15 people. I bet Brandon will really appreciate your thoughtfulness, especially because it is small and personal - closer to his wishes. Thinking of you and Brandon - its a BIG change for everyone; one that can't doesn't come without mixed emotions and nerves! Hang in there, even if by the tips of your fingers. You'll get through this and come out on the other side!

[pmgcakes]

Hi All! - had to stay away this week, But the emotional roller coaster is on it's way back up.. Yay! I got the book "When the Eagles invades the Nest", it was written by a Navy Mom, who went thru exactly what we are going thru, it was about their Journey and I enjoyed it, Cried the first few Chapters, but it was exactly how I was feeling so it helped me a lot. I finished it in 1.5 hrs. The other one I got was Honor, Courage and Commitment, This one is all about BC, so Im looking forward to reading that as well. Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. That my new motto!
I went pumpkin picking today, got my plants and just finished decoratoring the outside of the house.

[ElizabethC]

Hello to all....I think you all have said everything I am feeling as well, I have random acts of crying, it happens any time any where for no specific reason. We have Taylor's party scheduled for next Saturday its been hard planning it it just seems that after the party there is only a short time before he leaves. The other day at work one of the girl's was decorating for Halloween and went to put a ceramic pumpkin on my desk, I had to ask her not to put it on my desk, later I explained to her that Halloween is 10/31 which symbolizes to me that my Taylor will have left for BC...its silly but I just didn't want to think about Halloween and the date.

I understand the sharing of your children, I am going through that also, my son does not have a girlfriend (sometimes I thank goodness) but he has alot of friends and they are always going here or there, jealousy does rear its ugly head sometimes, I just don't want to share right now. We do have a date night planned for next Tuesday, just he and I so I am really looking forward to that. :o)

I really want to give Taylor something when he leaves for BC so he knows how much I love him and that I am so proud of him, I thought about a note or a picture, any ideas? When he was a little boy going to school I gave him a cotton ball (to put in his pocket) and told him it was a good luck bunny tail, (he always knew if he was scared or afraid he could put his hand in his pocket and his good luck bunny tail would be there) it helped on those scarey days. I'm not sure if the cotton ball/bunny tail will work for this step of life not to mention what an instructor would think if they found a random cotton ball in his wallet.

Ok, enough rambling for now, I feel the RAOC (Random Act of Crying) starting to creep up on me...have a great weekend. Hugs to all of you :o)
Elizabeth

[pmgcakes]

The Art of Letting Go - By Rebecca Green - Found in "When the Eagle invades the Nest"

You were there when they were conceived.
God blessed you with the perfect child born.

You fed them when they hungered
You soothed them when they cried.
You rocked them endless nights.
You disciplined them when they lied.

In the blink of an eye
Teenage years arrive.
The battle of the wills begin.
The independence you taught
Becomes smart-mouthed, slammed bedroom doors and arrogance.

Sometimes you wish them gone.
They “know it all” by that age
Patience runs very thin.
Little by little
They wean themselves to friends.

The bittersweet graduation clutches your heart.
The preparation distracts you from the inevitable.
The departure of the one you bore.
They will take their place as productive citizens.
You step back and distance even more.

You’ve worked yourself out of a job.
You don’t have the oversight anymore.
Painful change in the relationship, you adapt.
The need to be needed ceases.
The emotional detachment is a conscious effort on your part.
You look back and say, “Raising them was easy, it was the letting go that was hard”.

The Last Line was my favorite