Just got the first call from BC

[Pennyrh]

My son left Baltimore for Chicago at 2:30 today. I texted,with for awhile until 8-830 tonight. Then at 930 the call came to,my husband Thank goodness he had just gotten home from a meeting so we could speaker it. My son sounded very nervous and anxious. But that's completly normal I,would bet. I'm just very happy the call came early and not in the middle of the night it would have been a sleepless one for sure. I've cried so much in the past few days I thimk im getting dehydrated. I'm a respiratory therapist at a hospital. I need to keep it together at work at least. When someone just asks "how are you?" The floodgates open. Is that gonna get better? The holidays are coming. That won't help my mindset either.

[Jennifer PIR 12/05/14]

For me there are good days and bad. Today was a more difficult day. There will be days you're fine and there are days that you'll want to just curl up and cry. I will say this.....do what feels right to you. This is your child, no one can tell you how to feel or how to deal with the emotions you're feeling. All of us here on this site are here as a shoulder to cry on or vent to and celebrate with wherever you want or need.

[MJsproudmom]

Hugs to you for Stength. Your words are how I feel. Stay here and we can get through this together.

[Beth]

I understand completely. I am on the downhill slide. Less than 3 weeks to go. Everytime someone asked how I was doing, I cried. It gets easier to deal with, but this site is a wonderful place to be to get support. Hang in there, it will get better.

[TDSNAVY04]

It defiantly gets better the first 2 weeks is the hardest. I have twin daughters that just graduated Basic last week and are know settled on A school. What really helped me was the support on here and when you get the letter on when your SR will graduate which should be in 1 week join the Facebook group for that PIR graduation. It was a life saver for me. God bless your son and family!! It really does get better I thoght I would never feel normal again and I did. The PIR is amazing!!

[Sonya Momof2Recruits]

I sent twin boys off yesterday.  I am struggling really bad today but had to return to work.  All I really want to be doing is laying on the couch at home crying.  

[Lennette]

It does get better...my son left October 23rd and my emotional fog is just now lifting. Hang in there ;)

[maryjo]

Pennyrh:  My son left Nov. 6 as well so our boys are in the same group!  This is our 2nd time through this journey...we have a son in the Marines (3rd year).  It's quite the roller coaster ride!  These parent sites help a LOT!  We have something else in common....I am an RRT, although I'm not currently working in Respiratory Therapy!

[Pennyrh]

Maryjo, it's so cool you are a fellow RRT. We are a small tight group. I've been looking at this NavyMom site like I used to look at Pinterest. Constantly! I guess I'm looking for answers on how to survive the next 8 weeks. I'm tired of crying and worrying about my boy. I guess you just get used to him not being in the next room. I hope are sons meet up and support each other.

[maryjo]

This site will be very helpful since we  have the same feelings at the same time since we are going through this together!  Not a moment goes by that we won't be thinking about them, and I found it seemed to even be like a grieving period..walking past their room, seeing something that makes us think of them, holidays...these are all things that will trigger a thought of them and tears.  When my other son went to Marine boot camp, I was more worried they would change who he was and I liked him just the way he was.  I worried about him mentally more than physically.  But they made his great qualities even better!  They work them hard, but take good care of them too and we have a lot to be proud of.  Not many people are willing to give up everything and go through what our military go through.  It's so self-less in such a self-ish world. Can't say that about all young people.  I'm thankful for all of them!  And it does get better in time as we find a new normal and adjust to it.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers as we begin this journey together!

[Pennyrh]

I dread that darn box coming. I never thought about his clothes still having his familiar smell attached. And his cell phone that never ever left his hand or pocket coming back too. This is rough!!

[Navymom1969]

Hi PennyRH and Maryjo my son left on Nov 6th also. It was the hardest day of my life. I have found that spending time on this site and on the RTC site gaining as much information as I can has helped. I do find myself crying a lot but I think it is the normal process all us mothers go through when our children leave home, our situation is just a little different than most. I am so proud of my son and just keep telling myself that we will see him in a few short weeks.  The holidays will be the hardest I am sure but I have to stay strong for him because I know it will be harder on him being without his family. Did either of you hear anything about a PIR date yet? My son's recruiter called us with his address and said he was told that the PIR will be 12/31 but this sounds early.

[Pennyrh]

Navymom1969 PIR on NewYears Eve? That would be awesome but it does sound early. I thought the first or second week of January. The sooner the better though.