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   

[ElizabethC]

Oh I'm calling the party store I hope they have silver balloons, if not I'm not sure what will happen (RAOC)....don't mess with a soon to be NAVY mom on a mission...I'll let you know how that goes.... :o)

[ElizabethC]

Betsy, I find that people are very compassionate when I tell them my son is leaving for the Navy, on occasion I have people say "Oh I remember when my son/daughter left for college it was heartbreaking"....I really have to bit my tongue on that, I would look like a lunatic when I scream "It's not the same" but I give people the benefit of the doubt, I don't know if I would understand completely if my son wasn't going into the Navy, so I just smile and nod, its all they have to compare it to....and thank goodness for their sake.
Elizabeth

Just a random thought that hit me for all of us Navy Mom's.....maybe God chose our children to take the Navy/military route because He knows our children are strong and their MOM's and families are really tough cookies to take on the support role that they need and maybe He decided not every family/mom could handle it so he chose us to be the special ones. (just me having random thoughts)

[ElizabethC]

Betsy...I think you are really great MOM and such a special person, I have all the same feelings you do about the missed special occasions. I look forward to Taylor being stationed and settled and I plan on setting up Skype (I really have no clue how to) just so I can see his beautiful face smiling at me....oh here comes the RAOC..sorry I'm pulling it together. I keep telling myself this is going to be great he is going to see the world, and I am going to see it through his eyes and possibly visit him in great places that I would never have visited if this opportunity wasn't there, because he was just in plan old boring College (Just kidding). Hey that's it when someone says "Oh this is just like leaving for college" we should all reply "Oh that's boring stuff, we are going to see the world"

Elizabeth

[ElizabethC]

Betsy

That is funny about your grand daughter still wanting to Skype you even when you are close enough to visit.

As for seeing the world through their eyes, I plan on buying Taylor a good digital camera when he gets stationed that way he can send us pictures of all the wonderful places he's been to. I have a younger son (he's 13) but I look forward to having him experience all of this as well, whether its traveling some where really exciting or sharing in the pictures of all the really great places. I'm trying to gear myself up "that its not just the NAVY its an adventure" I think Taylor will be excited to share his experiences with me, when he passed his IFA, the first person he called was his mom (he could have called anyone, but he called his mom), he's visiting a friend in college this weekend and he called me this morning to tell me all the things he's been doing, they are going to UF to see the "Swamp", he's so excited, he said mom I'll text you pictures.....gotta love it.

I really hope that we all end up in GL at the same time, it would be really great to meet everyone face to face.... :o)

E

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Elizabeth. I've had that same "random" thought, but I've also seen Moms grow into their "cloaks of strength" here onsite. Having great support from those who really understand the experiance makes all the difference! I was a military newbie before my son joined, no one on my side of the family had served recently. I wasn't surprised that my son joined, I was a little surprised at what he ultimately chose to do in the Navy, and at my ability (so far) to handle it. I will say that it is not by my own strength alone that I cope. I really don't know how anyone without a foundation of faith can manage through all this! There would be so much more added stress and worry, less peace. This journey will drive you to your knees in prayer many times and you will need to trust that God's plan is right, His timing perfect and His hand steadfast and present with your "child", especially since you know there will be many time you cannot/will not be there. :) Keep smiling and nodding graciously. The college only parents just don't get it!

[AngieFromWA:BUDS Mom/ HM alumnus]

Betsy, I sure understand your tears about Mother's Days etc. My son left, unexpectedly early, on the first of May. We'd had a week's notice of the change. My hubby found this site for me, but I resisted checking it out. I had done ok with the goodbye, wasn't much of a crier, thought I had it all handled. :) Then Mother's day came! It was a looong day and I was a mess! I was still in communication black out stage. I never got the "I'm here" call either. On top of my emotional state, I had sprained my ankle, so I had to spend the whole day in bed. :( I read the entire 75 pages of "New Moms" discussion (now replaced by the "NM Stop Here Group.), then promptly set up my page. Been hanging around the site ever since. :-)

I have a best friend who I've known since HS (she has six kids, none military bound as far as we can tell. She does her best to get it) who has been with me through a lot of stuff over the years. It certainly has been a heckuva ride so far, pre and especially post Navy and she just shakes her head and marvels at "our resiliency and strength". However, I've often said to her "You know, sometimes, I wish God didn't have so much confidence in me!" LOL It can be wearying, but there is never a dull moment! :)

[NC_Susan]

Awww, this is so hard isn't it? It is becoming so much harder than I thought it would be. Susan

[Nancy]

OK. I haven't been on cuz my family is in town, and I'm sneaking in here :-) before they want me to come have coffee with them. SO many great ideas from ALL, I keep hoping that OUR kids are all in the same PIR so we can all meet in GL.

Lori - LOTS of awesome ideas. Thanks!! I hadn't even thought of pictures. DUH!!! And I love the idea of the Angel coins..I will google and find some.I have been busy with family in town and haven't had a chance to get on the computer.

Betsy - thanks for the Navy emblem idea for the cake!!

Elizabeth - My own SON, Ian's brother told me yesterday that having Ian leave was just like him leaving for college. I told him that it was NOTHING like him being in college...that we wouldn't see Ian much for at least 4 years, and then I had my own ROAC.

Have to go now...I have been DISCOVERED!! LOL

[ElizabethC]

Nancy...Please tell me you grounded your other son for saying that.....hahaha

[Lori_KingsBay_USSRI_Radio]

Nancy - love the "sneaking in." Funny how important this site and we all are to one another during this experience. Its really kind of awesome and such a wonderful blessing.

[Nancy]

Hi Wendi,
We haven't met yet. I'm Nancy. My son, Ian, is going into submarines. I too have heard that the Costco card is the best. I still need to get it for Ian. I have also heard that its good to practice with the card so your child doesn't fumble when time is short.

Elizabeth - can't ground him, he IS the one in college and doesn't live with me... He was saying it was the same as HIM being gone..
Have a great day,
Nancy

[NavyGirl]

Hello ladies :)
This weekend has been wonderful with my airman boyfriend :) but let me try to give a little insight from also being the girlfriend of someone in the military, cause i see alot of you moms are haven problems with your son's girlfriends. haha

this weekend my boyfriend came down to suprise me, but his mom has been pitchin a fit that she doesnt get all his attention. im sure not all of you mothers are as selfish as she is, but what i would suggest to keep both parties happy, is to hang out with your son and his girlfriend and the family. i wish that my boyfriends mom would a gree to it. because id much rather share his time, then just not get time with him. anyway, just thought i would give a little advice, cause i know how hard it can be for you moms sharing your time with your sons gf.

my mom deals the same issues with my brother and his wife, but gf at the time. its hard to be the family and not get all his attention. but depending on how serious their relationship is, sometimes you just have to come to the realization that hes growin up, and becoming a man, and the man will LEAVE his family and join with a wife, thats just the way life is. but i would suggest to keep good ties with your son's gf so that she will WANT to come visit you. :) it makes a difference i promise.

anyway. just thought id stop by and say hay. only 2 weeks ladies. :) its almost here!!!

have a wonderful week
-ashleigh