Bootcamp

[marlena]

My son left for bootcamp on Wednesday and I've been crying off and on ever since.  I feel so lost not beling able to call him, FB him or contact hm in any way.  I never thought it would be this difficult.  I'm really struggling. I'm not worried about his safety, just feel so disconnected, like he's gone forever.  He is my firstborn too, maybe that's it?   I don't know, but he reached this milestone that I feel like I wasn't prepared for.  Anyone else feel like that?

[NavyDoodle]

I'm on day 7 and I still find myself crying at times - I am in a better boat than you ladies I guess, because I do have my husband at home (and our two little furbabies), but the frustrating thing for me, is that the rest of my family really thinks I need to just get over this - but I can't help but miss her and worry about her)0:  What I worry about most though, is that she is doing okay and that she will make it through to the end of Boot Camp!!!!  My family does keep telling me that she is stronger than I think sometimes and I am really trying to believe that.  The problem is, I KNOW she is homesick also, and I just don't want her to have any setbacks)0:  I will feel MUCH better when I get a letter from her telling me she is okay!

[Becky]

Hi Jill.  Thanks for your response.  Guess what?  Got his letter too!  He is Ship 12 Div 094 and his PIR is March 16th.  Says his haircut is cool and asked if his pet missed him.  Says he is doing okay.  Was actually surprised by how long his letter was because he's not famous for his love of writing.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder?  I think so.

[Jill]

NavyDoodle, you just echoed everything I feel too.  I have a son, so I hear a lot of comments from others like "He's grown up now, you have to let go."  Somehow people EXPECT you to let go easier because he's male, I think.  So, part of me is trying to tell myself that they're right.... maybe it is harder on those of you who have girls, I don't know. 

Becky: so glad you got a letter!! Sounds like you got a lot of great info too!  Now you can breathe a little easier for a while!

[Hannah88]

I have to chime in here.  If I hear one more time "he's not a baby anymore" or "I have to let him go," or "he's an adult now, he has to make his own decisions (he's 17 btw!), I think I'm going to vomit. After his dad had been dead for a year, people would ask me why I was still single and that I should "get out there." I married my best friend. A year of him being gone was only a drop in the bucket! We are allowed to feel how we feel. Our children would think it odd if we felt or acted differently!

[KayKay]

My mom said to me the other day, "girls you can keep close to you forever and boys you have to let go". I told her I don't agree! My son is one of my best friends and will always be. And I firmly believe he is a better man for it.

[beteboop1]

Its so hard for a mother to let go! Only a mother knows the emptiness when a child goes away! Some people take longer to get adjusted, theres nothing wrong with that! Navydoodle i hurt everyday cuz i miss my daughter and its not something u get over, overnight! Hang in there TRY and be strong for ur child as hard as it may be! When i write to my daughter i write about funny things! I dont want her to know im miserable without my girl!

[BunkerQB]

We adjust over time and worry less over time. But periodically the "old worry wort" comes out. On occasions, I would dictate to my sailor how to do certain thing, remember to do this or that, when to do it, and the sequential steps. My sailor is so patient - he just waits for me to finish, then quietly says, "Mom, the Navy trust me to handle the nuclear engineer for a billion dollar submarine. I supervise 20 guys. I pay my bills on time. I have never been late for duty.  I was nominated for Junior Officer of the Year (at this point his voice is louder). I think I can handle finding my way home from the airport."

Hahahaha...........   moms just can't help themselves. Everything will be OK. Just hang in there.

[Jill]

Bunker QB:  Got a laugh out of your post.  This sounds so much like a conversation my son and I would have.  If you don't mind, I think I will pass your comment along to my recruit verbatim.  I know he will get such a kick out of it.

[BunkerQB]

I have a few other funnies. When I get a chance, I post. Ya - you know how moms are. Your recruit will love it.

[navy mom]

Anyone in ship 2 division 916?

[Barbara]

i can imagine what your going through not because its your first son or last son,its your son of course and your worried. My daughter just got married Dec1 and its my son in law and i to keep having that feeling and i am worried about him. My daughter on the other hand wont leave the house and is crying and they both made this decision and its really a very difficult one.Everyday she writes him a letter and we hope he gets it .Where still waiting for the first one to arrive. Just pray and hope their all return soon

 

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Barbara here is the link to your PIR group http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir03162012