My oldest son shipped off to boot camp yesterday...

[Mother Of Four]

He left at about 2:30, we are and have always been a very tight family. I feel like my heart is breaking, I knew I would be sad...but I didn't think it would feel so suffocating.

I got a text from him today, saying it would be the last I heard from him in a while. The longest I've been apart from my children is a week tops and then it has only been two or three times since they've been born.

He joined the NAVY, is 19 and I've prepared him as best as I could. He can cook, clean, laundry, finance, think for himself. He is an open minded person who has friends of every walk of life. He's a handsome young man, with a sparkle in his eye and a penchant for silliness that just won't quit.

God I miss him, and I know it's just going to get worse. This isn't like the other times we've been apart, where I could tell myself that "I'll see him/her in just a few days."

My life is defined by my children, I wasn't ready for him to be grown. Does it get any easier? Or will it get worse when my others jump from the nest?

I just wanted to tell someone...because my eyes just won't stop leaking. I guess I'm too sentimental, I know HE will be just fine but I'm not sure I will be.

[nykiera]

1. I have one leaving for the Air Force

in November. Not quite the oldest; his brother beat him by two minutes. However, I agree it is not easy.

[Mother Of Four]

4. ...

:hug:

[ipfilter]

2. What is he going to do in the Navy?

I enlisted in the Navy almost 20 years ago. I got out after my first enlistment.

[Mother Of Four]

3. Engine Mechanic...Submarine.

I told him that if when he gets to the end of his first enlistment, the Navy isn't for him he'll always have a warm bed and a cuppa tomato soup to come home to.

He's been in DEP for over a year and a half though, PT...meetings etc.

[ipfilter]

5. Best of luck to him.

Navy boot camp isn't too bad. It will be harder on you that it will be on him. Twenty years ago there were no cell phones, or texting, or the Internet. All of those things will help you stay in touch. All I had were long distance phone calls and that was expensive at the time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Mother Of Four...

It will get easier, but it will also take time.

Remember that we raise them to move out and make their own lives...

I think, judging by your choice of username, that this is how you identify yourself. As the mother of four...

It's a great name, but I think that you might be attaching yourself so firmly to this identity that it will be harder for you to let go of your children.

See if you can't find yourself another focus. This will help you recover from his leaving...

You will be fine! Be gentle with yourself...

:hug:

[mopinko]

12. ah, it isn't an identity so much as an excuse, i would imagine.

i have gotten an incredible amount of milage out of announcing the i have five kids, rolling my eyes, or giving a knowing nod. those that are paying attention now understand the mustard stains on my shirt, and the paint splotches on my shoes. explains the haircut, also. and the buzzing inside my skull.

[applegrove]

7. Vibes to him and your family.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Sounds like you have done a good job getting him ready for life. *hugs*

[handmade34]

9. my heart aches for you

I-- mother of five- understand

[femmocrat]

10. Ahhhh...... that is so hard.

I bawled like a baby when they went off to college! It's soooo hard to let them go. But he sounds like a wonderful young man and he will be fine! He will seem so grown up the next time you see him!

:hug: and best wishes to you and your son.

[elshiva]

11. Jumping the nest is hard enough, but jumping into boot camp is so hard.

:hug: :hug:

Hope that he will be okay. It's a difficult life, but that's what he chose. We're proud of him and we're proud of you for raising him so well.

[HardWorkingDem]

13. Best wishes...

I think it says a lot about a person's morality, integrity and courage to enlist in a voluntary military during a time of war.


Tell your boy to find intelligent mentors and to avoid the blowhards and big talkers who don't know much. Tell him to look for the quiet, intelligent person that will only be slowly revealed.

And tell him not to be afraid and much of the initial training is sort of a "game".....I'm not trying to lesson the seriousness of it, but that he will be pushed toward stress for training.

Best wishes to you and your family.

[Ptah]

14. I'm confident he'll be alright.

It sounds like you raised him well.

:hug:

[av8rdave]

15. All the best to him!

Been there, done that. It will be a valuable growing experience for him.

You should be very proud.

It's hard to be away from him, but it gets easier over time.

[dembotoz]

16. be strong- and vibes sent to you and your fam

especially your son.

[never cry wolf]

17. Write him often

My son went through Army boot camp and I would imagine the rules are similar. They really restrict their contact with the outside world, all that is really allowed is snail mail, letters only. No care packages, no magazines, just written letters. I got to be expert at clipping articles from the sports section with a razor blade for minimal waste so that they would fit inside the folded letter flat without raising suspicion. I'd do this 2 or 3 times a week, he thanks me profusely and said it kept him sane. Mail call was the only thing he had to look forward to.

[Demoiselle]

18. He sounds wonderful. He'll be fine and so will you..

and be proud of yourself, too. You've done a great job.