SON LEAVING MONDAY FOR BOOTCAMP

[Navmom]

 

My son leaves for bootcamp on Monday.  He was originally scheduled for December 20th.  Before Christmas, but close enough that we could have had an early Christmas and it would have felt like it.  We were only told a couple weeks ago that they would be moving up the date and then only yesterday that it would be Monday.  I keep crying like a little baby.  It seems so silly because it isn't like he'll be gone forever.  My husband and younger son think I'm silly for crying, but I can't seem to help myself.  Are there any other mothers out there struggling with this? 

They say it's empty nest, but I still have my younger son around.  I guess I just worry how my older son will handle bootcamp.   He made this choice all on his own and we support him completely and are extremely proud of him.  He keeps counting down the days and telling me to see my reaction I think.  I have tried not to cry around him even though he knows I will come Monday. 

I would appreciate hearing from any mothers who have been there or are there now.

 

[JennC922-NJ (Ship12 Div073)]

My son leaves on Tuesday.  I'm feeling the same way...  I'm excited for him, but I will need to keep his bedroom door shut for a few weeks.  I have 2 little ones left, but my boy is my boy :)

[Myskye]

My son just came home after finishing his "A" school. He had been gone for 5 months. I had cleaned his room & put some of his things in bins, but I left all his books, CD's and his Legos right were he left them. I wanted him to have a familiar place amidst all the new things in his life. He gave me a wonderful hug and said "Thanks, Mom".

[paces]

Myskye... I know you were so happy to see him. We are the same with our SR's room. I have cleaned it and straightened, but I have left most of his things exactly where he had them. We are praying he will be home for a few days for Christmas. He is in Phase 4 of recovery in RCU (medical unit). He fractured his leg in his 4th week of boot camp. Praying he can make his run and do Battle Stations on the 16th.

To all the Moms whose guys and girls have gone... Keep in touch with each other. It will truly be your strength along with lots of prayers. We will pray for your SR's as well.

[Lani]

My son left on December 5th also.  I got "the box" today.  Did you?  I keep smelling his jacket because it smells like him.  Have you heard how long until we get a letter?

[Montana Mom]

Dear kfarey,

My son left for basic in August 2011 and graduated in October.  I do feel for you as the first 3 to 4 weeks were the most difficult for me!  But it does get better!  He had never been away from home for any length of time but joining was his decision.  He is my adventurous one!  My biggest goal was to write as many letters as I could & send them as often as I could.  So I just basically wrote a journal of several days & then would mail them to him.  As he wanted to hear details of home and our daily happenings!  I promised him I wouldn't cry when we parted ways at the airport & I didn't know if I could do it but I was able to hold it together until he was in the air!  I didn't want to make it harder for either one of us.  Don't feel silly for crying - it is a "Mom" thing!  Crying helps me relieve stress sometimes! :) Christmas is a difficult time to have your son leave but all we can do is cherish the moments we have with our kids but also have to let them spread their wings which is a difficult task for us Moms!  My son won't be home for Christmas either as he will take his transfer leave after his A school to come home.  I found reassuring him of my confidence in him helped me as well.  I prayed a lot for him especially during the time of no contact the first 3 to 4 weeks. But before you know it you will be planning to go to his graduation.  Graduation was so moving and such a proud time!  Yes you will be so anxious to hug him and see him then.  My son got to call home a couple times during basic and I was amazed what a young man he was maturing into.  Just show your son all the support you can in your letters and during any phone calls you get from him & I bet he will totally amaze you!  I wish you well and God Bless!   

[pinkboots2]

My son left December 5th for bootcamp and like you I keep crying. I am very proud yet very emotional.

 ‎"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" President John F. Kennedy

[Celeste(HA Mom)]

My son is flying out on Wednesday. I can't seem to stop crying as well. Been holding it in so long that I guess it is just spilling out! We are having a family gathering tomorrow but no Christmas as he said it would be too tough to celebrate it and it not be the real deal. Everyone keeps explaining all of the sensible stuff to me that your head knows is true, but I don't think they understand its my heart that is taking over right now.

[MMT Ship07 Div.059]

Hang in there, I know its hard and I feel your pain. People cant tell us how we feel, Yes we are proud but they will always be our babies. Im here for you cause I totally understand!!!!

[Alisa'sMom* Ship 2 DIV 912*]

Im right there with you.My daughter bought us christmas gifts and made us open them b4 she left but we coulndt get her nothing she said because she couldnt enjoy them so i will still buy her presents as will everyone else and put them umder the tree and in feb she will get them all.I totally understand about everyone explaining all the sessible things cause im gettin the same thing but my heart to is whats aching.This was her choice as to the path she wanted to take in life and i totally support her for that and i could not be more proud but at night i keep expecting her to walk through the front door from work or the movies.i will be so glad when feb rolls around so i can just hold her and talk to her on the phone.Keep your head us this site with all these great moms is whats keeping me going.I have gotten so much support and help and i am so thankfull for that.Stay strong mom and remember keep them letters going.....

[Navy Mom ship 03-055]

I know it would have been harder for me to send my daughter to the Navy. How sweet of her to get you your gifts early. Since my Marine and Sailor will be limited to what they can have with them or need I'll just give them cash this year and maybe itune gift cards. My boys made the choice to join and told us after and I was fine with it but it is hard to see them go.They turned 20 and 22 in Nov. This is lot different than sending them off to college.

 

A few things I learned from when our other son was in Marine boot last month.

I printed up his address on labels to give to grand parents and when I mailed letters I sent pre addressed and stamped envelopes for his letters home it saved him time and make it easier.

I also sent a gal size zip lock bag in a letter so he could store the letters he got. It was OK with the Marines don't know about the Navy.

I also found some fun form Marine letters with check the box answers for a change of pace easy for them to fill out and mail back.

 

We are never alone we have a new Navy family for support that understand what it's like. 

 

Thanks for this great forum.

 

 

[Terriansmom]

I feel like I'm hearing my own story... 

Mine left yesterday, arrived in erie last night and that was the last I heard from him until next week. I just hate the thought that he has no family near by, which is prob a good thing, for his boot camp, i keep hearing from other momma's that when they come home from boot camp, they will be men. My son is 19, he is an adult, working into a man, i kinda feel its going to put the finishing touch to it! 

[Terriansmom]

i found a site on what to expect.. i hope it helps

http://gamergirl.hubpages.com/hub/US-Navy-Boot-Camp