emotional mom

[Robyn]

My daughter just dropped the bombshell so to say that she is joining the navy I am emotional mess about this I know all the benefits of her joining but can't help being selfish thinking I'm losing my child. Shes the oldest of 4 so ive never had a child move from home I guess basically I'm still being an over protective mom. Has anyone else gone threw this or am I as crazy as my family tells me I am

[TexasBird(Robin)]

You are not crazy! It's hard to let that first one go. My oldest left for college in 2008 and never lived at home again. In fact, she's been working on a drilling rig in the Australian outback. Talk about worry! My son has joined the Navy and goes to boot camp 8/18/15. I know this wil be good for him. He works better with a lot of structure. Just keep in mind that they are doing what you raised them to do...leave the nest and be great adults! Hang in there, you will be fine and so will your daughter

[CryptoDad]

Definitely not crazy, Some moms take the separation harder than others. Cryptomom  loaded our daughter into the car and drove her to the Recruiters on her 17th birthday and was involved from day one. The more your are a part of the process and the more you learn, the more you become a part of your daughter's incredible adventure. Eventually pride in your daughter will overcome most of your feelings of loss. Hang in there and become active on N4M.

[Robyn]

Thank you for the advice. I guess I'm just struggling with letting her grow up for the first 3 years of her lifw it was just us her & I now suddenly she turns 18 in less then a week, and wants to be in the navy. I'm glad to know I'm not crazy & just being a mom. Thanks you guys

[ambecode]

Emotional Mom I completely understand your feelings, my son did the same to me two months ago. He's not the oldest he second child of 4. All at home or close by. He's been gone for only a week, I will say the days are getting easier. The worst part is not hearing their voices. You've picked a wonderful place for support. navyformoms has been very informal, I'm glad to read their stories and know that we all share a common bond "The Love for Our a Children". If she has not left just spend as much time with her, I'm sure you've taught her well and she'll do great. Good Luck hope this was helpful.

[Mommasailor24]

Hi there. I know how you feel. We are a family with 7 kids. The eldest being 21. The first to move out married a sailor and were stationed in San Diego. That was difficult letting her go. The second moved 5 miles away and I cried watching her move her stuff into her car from the upstairs window! My 18 year old will leave for Basic in June and I am so proud of him. Just know that you are not alone in your feelings. As hard as it is letting go, we as parents are raising adults. So just take pride in knowing that your daughter has made an amazing decision. I have tried very hard not to cry or show any worry directly to my son. I vent my emotions with my husband. I think if I were to totally lose it in front of my son he would second guess his decision and I don’t want to be the reason for that. Support her and know that you have done a great job mom! You have successfully raised an adult!

[Leach73]

Robyn
what you just said sounds like me a few years ago! My Sailor is now living in a new and beautiful country and has gotten to travel across the ocean on a ship and visited another country on the way there. Never in a million years would I have ever thought that the baby girl I birthed 20 years ago would be a Sailor in the US Navy and now living in Spain. We have to give it to our girls for being so strong and courageous and support them in all that they want to do! It never gets easier as a mom to let go, we just get stronger and prouder of our children. Just as CryptoDad said, get involved from the beginning with going to the recruiters with her and this way you learn along with her. Don't be afraid to ask any type of question that comes to mind. As parents, we know that the day will come when our kids will leave the nest because hey, we did the same when we left our parents and we set out to live a life that we wanted and now it is the next generations turn. More than anything, your daughter needs to know that you support her 1000% and this will make her feel positive about what she wants.
This will be an amazing and unique journey for her and for you and your family.
I hang my US Flag and my US Navy flag in front of my house with pride and am so proud to be a Navy Mom!

[Redwind]

It is always hard when one's baby leaves the nest.  Especially for the first time.  Enjoy what time you have left with her at home.  Cry when you need. Laugh a lot.  Write letters. Be proud you daughter has a goal and will strive to reach it.  

[kristin_rae]

I understand where you are coming from our son just did the same thing.  Luckily I have some time to prepare since he is 17 but I still can't believe it.  I am very proud that he has made this decision on his own.  He is also our only child so I am not quite sure I will do do when he does actually leave.

[Hootsmom]

I have said this in other places on this site. We raise our children to be strong enough to leave us, looks like you have done a proper job. You have provided her with the self confidence to make this choice. They don't tell us when we give birth to them about the heartbreak of letting go, it hurts because we love them. Focus on your time with her and make plans for her leaving together. Assure her that you will always be there and you are confident in her strength to succeed. I suggest maybe giving her a journal, and buy one for yourself. She can start writing thoughts to you now for the period of time when she first leaves for bootcamp and can't send mail, I would suggest a couple of weeks worth of thoughts to read each day. You hear her voice in what she wrote and see her hand. Read as much as possible about what to expect, then you will be ready and so will she, physically mentally and emotionally. Prepare yourself by starting maybe a exercise or mediation routine, even if it is just walking. That way when you show up at graduation neither one of you will recognize the other :)  

[cjbmom]

My one and only baby just left two days ago for boot camp.  Today at work I got a surprise - she sent me an early mother's day gift to work!  Not sure how she pulled that off since she left on Monday but I'm happy she did nonetheless!  It will be a tough Mother's day this year, my first one without her in 20 years - and my mother passed away 5 years ago so that's tough anyway.

[Sindy]

Nop,definitely not crazy , just a loving- caring mom. My oldest son just left to Bootcamp this week 5/4/15 though we are very proud of him my husband & I are having a difficult time accepting he is not here with us :'( it's truly a bitter/sweet moment. I just received his clothes today it broke my heart to receive the clothes without him :/ but then reflected on my sons lifetime wishes to Serve :) he always knew he'd join the Navy, this is his passion but hadn't joined because I had asked him not too. We have a very close relationship with our kids they respect our requests. However, last year he brought it up again and ask me for my Blessing to go. I gave him my Blessing & support him even though I can't help it to worry because I am his mom. I think it's part of being a mom never wanting to let go of our kids. I'm a prayer warrior my advise for all moms God trusted each of us with his kids, you are the perfect mom for your child, you've done a great job getting your child here be proud and stand tall for them,put them back in Gods hands if you've done all & above for your kids Just Imagine What GOD Will Do For Them, I've placed my son back in our Lords Hands,I trust he will protect him & be with him always ;} In Jesus Name, I Pray! What better hands can our kids be in? None but our Lords :} I'm a Proud NAVY MOM got me car decal ;) & feel great when I look at my Front house Flag it makes me so proud of my son every time I see it!

[SailorMom:)]

Your words are mirror to mine.. my son does not leave until October of this year.. but I know that for 17 years.. (he will be 18 in Aug) God has allowed me the honor to be his mom and teach him and love him and show him His ways the best I could.. I am very proud and excited but at the same time I know that it will be hard at times because I am so used to having him around...