Great Lakes Boot Camp

[Tamme Billions]

My youngest child arrived at boot camp on 09/09/2015.  Looking for support from other mothers who have kids at boot camp at the same time as my child.  I am having some serious anxiety/empy nester issues.  He is the last of 6 children to leave the nest.  Really struggling. 

[Jyssicarm]

I don't have  a  child in bootcamp and I know how you feel. My husband left on the 2nd and once you hear that last phone call I got really depressed and  I have tons of anxiety.We'eve been together since I was 19 and I turned 27 yesterday and we have never been apart for so long.  Its harder when everyday my daughter  asks for her daddy.  I have bee taking it day by day and making sure I keep busy. It will get better. 

[DannysMom]

My youngest child arrived at boot camp Sept 8th. His older sister will be leaving sept 22nd for boot camp. I understand what you are feeling, I think I cried every day since he graduated high school. I have no doubt he will be fine and do well, it's me struggling to let go. I'm sure the youngest is always the hardest, but I feel so lost without him, and when his sister leaves I will truly experience the empty nest. I think we spend so many years being a mom and you having 6 children even more so that when the baby leaves we feel like the job that we had being a mom is just gone. I spent years (i have 3 children) of school and sporting events, always having a house full of their friends and I loved every minute of it. I think now what? I feel lost sometimes and unsure of what to to do now. But we have to focus on the fact that this is what we do as moms. We spend years loving teaching and guiding them for them to be ready to go. And we did well..just look at where they are. I am trying to not focus on what I feel I lost, but on what he will gain. The things that he will get to experience by going into the Navy. And the pride that I feel of his choice. And how excited I am to hear from him in 3 weeks. I came home the other night and saw his truck and for a split second I though oh he's home..then just felt such sadness. I think it will ease eventually..it's a different stage of life and is going to take time.

[Melinda I ride out]

My only child left August 25 and I just got his packet with info yesterday. I was so mad at him for sending to a friends address, because we just moved and he didn't know it yet. Then I felt guilty for being mad, then my computer crashed and I lost all my photos. Screamed at everyone on the interstate on the drive to our farm and then couldn't get my letter to him to print on my husbands computer.  I was at my end, drove to What a burger and pigged out. By myself. This morning, I cried, really cried for the first time. Got a chiropractic treatment, a pedicure and tomorrow I ride my horse. I will survive this. Somehow.

[JAK4NAK]

My first of three to leave the nest arrived 9/8/15. It is very difficult to let them finally go do what we raised them to do - strive for greatness! It went by all too fast. We will all make this journey together I guess and be better for it on the other side of it. Just like them. Sigh.....

[Barbiesmom]

My only girl who I adore left yesterday. I completely understand your heartache. She graduated high school in 2013, and has been in her own little place local to me working and going to community college. She told me about her Navy plans shortly after Memorial Day. I am so glad she moved home for about 6 weeks before leaving. She and I are very close and always have communicated daily. So for 20 years she's been a part of my day. We had a wonderful summer. She is such a hard worker and a fun daughter. I am missing her awful, it's quite an adjustment for me, I love her so much. You're not alone with your struggle :)

[proudmommy]

My youngest son went to bootcamp the same day. He's on Ship 6 Div 370. I cry just talking to other people about him, and I can't understand why because he's the fourth to leave the house. But it is that empty nest, and also not being able to make a phone call, to know how they are. My mind wonders thinking how sad he must be. But I got a phone call from him, I got so nervous I couldn't even talk or ask the questions I wanted to ask, and then he wrote!!! He told us how hard it's been but how excited he was when he saw himself as a sailor with his uniform. He told us he got promoted to AROC and that food was good. and he said "if you are wondering how I'm doing mentally, I'm fine"...those words gave me so much relief!! I can't wait for 11/6/2015 to see my Sailor!!! I hope you are doing better...

[Nicole]

I'm with you all! I only have 2 children a daughter and a son and I'm extremely close to both. They tell me everything and even when they are gone overnight they would still call to say I love you and Goodnight! So not to have that is killing me! The days aren't to bad but the nights are awful! I just can't shut my brain off. Thinking about how he is doing. So I am glad to hear the food is good! My son is pretty tough physically and mentally but he's never been away for this long either. I told my husband last night that it's only been 10 days since he left but it feels like months and months have past!

[Donna]

My daughter, the youngest of three, left on 9/22. I know it's soon( feels long to me) but I can't wait to get a letter. I'm worried that she is homesick. Lol. It's actually me who is having issues. I am trying to stay strong because this was her decision and she had some close friends die of overdoses. So I'm proud she chose this path. But I miss her so much.

[steeldolph]

I too am an empty nester now as well.  My son arrived at bootcamp on 9/10/15.  He is in Ship 12 Division 372.  It is very difficult since there is limited contact during boot camp.

[Donna]

I finally got a phone call from my daughter on Saturday. She said she is homesick. She had one night where she cried and thought why did I join the Navy. She is ok now. She said the letters and pictures she brought are helping. She graduates on November 20. I can't wait to see her and squeeze her so tight. I think that because her monthly friend came, that might of contributed to her crying. As a women that never helps during a change in anything. Lol.

[petrojax]

I have one in boot camp and one on an aircraft carrier. With both sons, I struggled with them leaving and being so far away. I wrote my older son every day when he went through Great Lakes years ago, and I thought I was doing it to help and support him. It helped me too. I write my younger son everyday now, and my letters are really just a synopsis of my day and what his younger siblings are up to. It feels as though I am talking to him. Recently, I found out that my older son has saved all of those letters, and he told me that they made him feel closer to home and really encouraged him. He told me to make sure that I did the same for his younger brother, and I am. It does get better, especially when they move to "A" school and their first command, so try to hold onto counting down the days while filling envelopes with written conversations with your son.

[Dr. Sport Fitness]

Hi Tamme, 

I too am a bit nervous. My son left 10 September 2015. I am an expat living in Dubai and FINALLY received his mailing address.