There is a time

[Polarizeme]

When I first learned that my son was going to join the Navy, I was happy and excited for him. This was his big stretch out, spreading the wings and soaring. At least try to soar.  I did none of  the research, I made none of the decisions. I let him lead the way, completely.  He called and we talked a few times when he wasn't sure of the next step in the path.  I offered options and suggestions and left it at that.  He made all of the decisions, he OWNED them. I supported him.

There is a time in our children's lives that we need to step back and let them take the lead. It doesn't matter what the outcome is pass or fail. What matters is the learning from the victories and the losses. If we hold their hands every step of the way, even into adulthood, they will never learn to fly let alone soar. Standing back and watching your Son or Daughter navigate on their own is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do as a Parent. It's also one of the most necessary things you will do.

Take heart Moms and Dads, your Son is a man now, your Daughter a woman. Let them grow in that, just as we did and the many before us.

My Son, who grew into a Man will become a Sailor on June 1st. I am so proud of him, and I know he will be very proud to wear that uniform.  He did it all on his own, from running with the desire, to making his way through bootcamp.

Proud indeed!

 

[Polarizeme]

KristenWalk4fit, I know it's difficult. keep coming here to receive the blessing of encouragement. There are many fine people here that will help.

Good luck to you and your son!!

[Mwarshaw23]

I am so glad that my son will be graduating on June 1,2012. Our son's are on the same ship and in the same div!
Great that they have made their choices and move on to make us very proud! They are Sailors who have become fine men and women! Way to go we are proud of all of you!

[aster]

Polarize, this is a truly awesome post. My son also, one day "dropped in" the Navy recruiting office (he was waiting to hear from the Coast Guard from his numerous messages left on their answering machine). It was a Friday, he took a practice AMSVAB, Monday morning, first thing the Navy recruiter texted him, "we want you, stop in today" My son went in, when I came home from work on Monday he was doing the security paperwork, by Wednesday afternoon his recruiter took him to MEPS. He didn't see a job he wanted, 2 weeks later, he was back at MEPS and got a job as air traffic controller, he wants to be in SAR. He worked out with a group and he now has a 6 year contract with SAR. I also am so proud of him doing all of this on his own. When he was a freshman in high school he did bootcamp for a week with the Sheriff Explorer unit he was in, he was a totally different person when he came out! Just after 1 week, he was ironing his money so it would be flat in his wallet! We had no contact for that week, no one told us we wouldn't have contact, I thought he was ignoring my calls and texts, they had taken their phones away when they got off the bus...so he now I know he has some idea of what Navy boot camp will be like. The Navy has done a good job in preparing the parents in what to expect. :)

[Polarizeme]

Thank you aster! how proud you must be, congrats on the fine job you did raising your young man!

[suzart37]

I think this is beautiful, we love our kids so much and want nothing but the best, however they do have to own their decisions, thank you for a beautiful article!

[cindyship11div168]

Polarizeme, perfectly stated! So glad I saw this and thank you for sharing.

[ebigirl]

I was just re-reading the posts and it hit me again just how awesome our kids are. They all seemed to make this HUGE life decision on their own, and that in and of itself is proof of a wonderful woman/man who was raised by even better women/men!!

I would LOVE to see the positive aspect of this entire thread continue. We have loved one's who, like us however long ago, are in the shoes that we wore and are scared to death! Just a short note of reasurrance goes a very long way. It did for me when I was in the "newbie boat"!! Yes, pun intended.  :-)

[ngstephy (Ship 11/Div 249)]

 Its been only 3 days and I done a whole lot of crying. The more I get familiar with this website the better I feel.  Thank god for this website.  It helps keep in sane... 

[Proud Mom]

Thank You for putting in words how we as moms feel.  My son will become a Sailor on August 3, 2012.

[Polarizeme]

Congratulations!

i must admit that I had overwhelming emotions when I saw my son and his division on graduation day. My heart was in my throat and tears just rolled from my eyes.  It was the only time I cried, through all of BC. I think it was purely a sense of Pride in my Son.

[Proud Mom]

Hello everyone, it was two months ago when I desperately begin search for help when my first born and only male son left for bootcamp, yes I was crying, yes daily.  I received kind words from family members on this site and I am thankfull for that.  My Son PIR is August 3, 2012  yes only a few more days.  I will be flying from California to Chicago Great Lakes.

 

I do have a question for anyone who can help me.  My son  will be staying in Chicago for his "A" school, so on graduation day, do I get to see him right after the ceremony? or will he be going to do his registration to his school.  Do I leave and come back to pick him up or is there a place there for me to wait until he has completed that process,  I do know that it will take few hours. 

[Concernedad]

Proud Mom,

you will be able to see and hug your son and spend about an hour with him. We went to the NEX and picked up his pictures and did a bit of shopping. Then he packs up all his stuff and moves down the street. The time it takes depends on many factors, but figure about 4 hours.

If you'd like, you can drive over to his new base and wait. There is a museum there you can wander through, but not much else.

Once he is able to leave, it still takes quite some time to check out of his ship. Then he will walk out to the gate, where, if he's not checked out with buddies (at least two I believe), you will need to go get a pass to drive back to his ship (he'll have to be with you) to check him out. I would suggest when getting a pass, get one for the whole weekend, so you don't have to wait in line on Saturday. At the end of his liberty, you'll need to go check him back in. He will have the entire weekend (if they haven't gotten in trouble for something)  and you'll have to repeat the process of checking him in and out.

Prepare for a lot of waiting around. He'll be used to it, you won't.