OPSEC - PERSEC & stuff.

[MarvinKMooney]

Out of curiosity, did everybody read the section on OPSEC and PERSEC and watch the video? I am a new Navy mom, and I found it enlightening. Had to go back through my FB and IG accounts and delete hashtags and change privacy settings. I guess maybe I wasn't thinking about this as clearly as I should have. The recent shooting scared the crap out of me (and everyone else here, I'm sure).

I wanted to say thanks to the admins out there, making sure that all us proud moms are also good navy moms and we're protecting our SR's. I didn't have any clue about the cropped photos - WOW! I will be discussing that fact with my teen daughter, too! Thank you from the heart.

On a sidenote: I am feeling like a kind of bad mom, because I'm not "heartbroken" like most of you seem to be. My son is not my "baby" anymore; he's a man who made a man's choice to serve his country. I think I'm more of a baby than he is right now! I'm riding the emotional waves, tearing up and sometimes choking back the big sobs, but I'm trying to tell myself over and over that hey, the kid had to go somewhere - and this sure as heck beats the couch-surfing that his buddies are doing all Summer. I am proud, and I know that he needed to get out of my house before the man-child in him exploded and we all went nuts. He wasn't ready for 4 year university, and he knew himself. I should have been so lucky at 18!

My MarvinK left on 7/15. His first phone call actually came in 2 parts. The first one didn't mention The Box. The second? Well, it went like this: "Uh, Mom? It's me, MarvinK. I am calling you back because I failed to follow instructions the first call. You will be receiving a box . . . "

Is it wrong that I actually giggled when I hung up, even as I cried? :) My sweet MarvinK, he liked to know everything and he always thought ol' Mom and Dad were kinda dumb about making him do chores and follow instructions. Woopsie-poopsie! Truthfully, I am hoping that he's cleaning a toilet or two right about now . . . maybe I'm in the minority, judging from some of the other posts? Oh well, I miss him to bits, but I am SO thrilled that he's following his path. And if that path can include folding his own clothes and cleaning up his own dang bathroom, then so much the better!

Much love to everyone out there struggling with this; I feel you.

MarvinK's Mom

[qcnavymom]

Marvin's Mom, thanks for the post.  You made me laugh and I needed it!  I feel like I can relate to you.  I'm not heartbroken about his decision, but during these last couple of weeks, I've had some unexpected stress and feel more emotional about our son leaving (July 28).  Yesterday I remembered some things from when he was young and it just hit me how fast the time has gone.  Boo Hoo.  When did your son leave?  Matthew's Mom ;)

[lemonelephant]

qcnavymom, I left info for you on your My Page.

[MarvinKMooney]

My guy left 7/15. Be prepared: he was a BEAR the last month. Grumpy, withdrawn, and man did we suddenly all get dumber. We swept him away the last weekend to spend time together as a family, and I'll never regret doing that. 

Honestly, I think it's the BIGNESS of the whole decision. It's not every day that a parent can pinpoint the exact moment that their child left a child, but returned to them as an adult. That's what I struggle with, not that he left. He left last Summer and worked for 6 weeks away - and I was fine. 

Everything I've read tells me that it's totally normal for them to withdraw. It's a coping skill. And the last hug he got before he left? Well his girlfriend of 3 weeks, OF COURSE! LOLOL 

Now I'm just waiting on that darn box that others already got today! :) Hugs to you and your family. 

[JBStyle]

The Dr. Suess illustration is adorable. <3

[MarvinKMooney]

Thanks! When we had "moments" with our stubborn boy at home, I would say those lines to him (meaning he needed to get outta my face and head for his room). Later, it was more of a joke between me and my husband about how this house ain't big enough for all of us.

:)