Too soon to freak out! (??)

[KYNavyMomma]

I just stumbled upon another post and the first thing I saw was "I'm cleaning and rearranging furniture, freaking out"... that comment struck home with me. I thought I was nuts, and my whole family thinks I am losing my flipping mind!  I have two sons in DEP, one leaves in July, the other in September. I am slowly but surely going nuts. I cry all the time, I feel as though I have this huge bucket list of things that We need to do as a family in the next few months. I somehow always seem to forget what those things are though :)  I get frustrated after work when I go home and the boys are working or out with their friends, so I clean, clean and clean some more.  I have rearrange all the furniture in our house, more than once. I keep telling my husband I'm "spring cleaning".  I realize I'm probably just in the early stages of "freaking out", (times 2), but my kids and hubby have to think I'm nuts. I need to stay busy, I guess. I have a million things on my mind all day at work (last family photos, last family vacation, etc...).  I feel as though I am just not quite finished with my boys yet.  So many things I need to tell them, show them, teach them, remind them of.  So many more hugs and not enough time. 

[anasazigypsy]

Well yes sailor was a tax exemption. Also did four years of JROTC, graduated HS in May, shipped in September. Never had a job,wanted the focus on school, so only mentally independent:) Now he is flying in and out of airports on his own,leave ended today :( but all is well. Since you have a lot more Navy family years behind you, it might be more difficult for you to remember the early stages emotions. Bet your wife remembers though

[Michelle]

@crypto dad, I am starting to take offense to some of your banter. Can you just respect what other moms have to say about there feelings.
Thank you

[judy r]

Wow!!! It has been a long time since I have seen such anger focused at comments posted here.. We all need to just take a minute and just relax no one is making light of anyone's feelings and maybe some of us that have been at it for a long time don't sweet talk like you want but the one thing we all do here is respect everyone's feelings.

[Concernedad]

LOL! I wrote a long diatribe yesterday regarding this thread, then thought better of it and deleted it. However, this is the condensed version as maybe my post may have value to some. 

Some of us have been here quite a while, we've heard the same questions and same concerns many times and therefore we may not be quite as sensitive to certain issues that "new moms'" may be. This doesn't mean we don't understand, it's just that we already know that, while your issue seems dire at the moment, once your sailor gets through Boot Camp, it all becomes a very distant memory. I remember events from my son's RTC experience that he has no recollection of, because he has moved on to bigger and better things. 

To those of you "new moms'" you want to chastise Bunker and Crypto for their posts, just keep in mind, they are two of the people who are here most often to calm your bigger concerns. I have a very soft spot for Bunker. She was here when my son first started almost 4 years ago, and even though her sons are no longer a part of the Navy, she is kind enough to share her wisdom with you, just as she did for me.

So, for those of you needing to criticize others for criticizing, just think back to the Golden Rule and understand that those of us posting here for a long time, have good intentions. If you don't care for the way someone's advice was worded, make it your duty to stick around long after your sailor has built his or her career, and help others how you think it should be done. 

[anasazigypsy]

I appreciate everyone's responses. The thing I found off putting when I first joined this site was how everything seemed so " sweetness and light". While support is a main function of these pages, a dose of reality is also needed. These young people have chosen a path that is not only life altering for them, but for their families as well. Everyone's way of working through the changes will be slightly different and everyone ,SRs,families, and friends, needs to be celebrated for their courage in undertaking this journey. Will there be differences in how people view and react to event s? Yes of course. That is what the service of these young people helps ensure- the right to free speech and the opportunity to live as you feel best for you. Bring on the disagreement s. Keep a free and healthy dialogue going and give thanks to the young people who make it possible.