My son leaves for boot on the 14th of June and its really , tearing me apart.I thought i could handle it but i cant stop crying . Since I droped him off at his moms tonight.I have`nt stopped crying because he will be gone 3 months the we see him at graduation then off to a1 schooling for 6 to 9 months . Me and my son have`nt seen eye to eye on everything . But I can tell you this he is my great son and if anything ever happened to him I don`t know what i would do.Will this get any easier as time goes on or am i gonna b on edge 24/7. i will always worry bout my son i love him more than he will ever know . I will be spending a few more hours mon the 13th before he leaves the 14th but to leave him at the hotel ,knowing that will b the last time for at least 3 months. I think i might go crazy . he only lived 15 min from me , and could call or text anytime but now i wont be able to so any advice that will help keep a father sain till we see each other again .I think he picked the NAVY, because his grandfather lied about his age to get in but got caught , later he was sent home with a honorable discharge .So it would`nt mess his enlisting chances up. So please anyone that can help me please do I would appreciate it so much!
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Tony, my youngest son left for the Air Force last year and my wife and I were beside ourselves until we saw him at graduation from BMT. It will get better once you hear from him, which usually takes a few weeks. I think mostly we just want our kids to be happy, safe and to know that they are getting along OK. Once you hear that he is OK and is happy it will begin to ease up. My oldest son left for the Navy the week before yours did and this time it is much easier, because we have been through it before. Don't think of him as being gone forever, he isn't, he is just growing up. Write to him, be positive to him, and support him, and when you see him at graduation you will be so proud that the hurt will go away.
Wow, the heart of a true father!! Be strong and stay strong, the next 8 weeks are going to be tough because of the mistery of not knowing much about the progress of your son from your son, but in this page you will find the comfort to hold together..that's what happened to me..lol. Keep yourself busy, brag a lot about your son and PRAY!!..He needs your prayers and trust me in 8 weeks you will see a new man in him. Hooyah!
its so very hard to watch your child go but it must happen. there are so many bad ways they can leave home so be thankful. for your son it is important to write. i wrote every day. somedays letters somedays i sent funny cards with notes inside. its important for them to know that the life they know (home) is still there and ok. my sailor got more mail than anyother and was proud of that. some pictures of family are appreciated too. you can look on my page we tryed to be creative with our pictures. did i mention that my sailor is my daughter? she was daddys girl (tearing up a little). missing our kids is our job.
When my wife and I dropped our son Chris off at the recruiting station to take the ride to MEPS in Fort Hamilton and get sworn in, I thought I would be fine too. The minute we stepped foot inside, and were greeted by the recruiting officers, my throat closed up. When Chris hugged me, I broke down so completely and unabashedly, that my son looked at with great irritation and said, "Shit, are you crying?!" I cried on and off for most of the first week. But it will ease, I guarantee it. We never stop worrying about our children, whether they are serving our country, or just going out with friends.
Just remember, at this point, no news is good news. That means the recruits are adjusting and getting on with the business of learning to be sailors in the greatest naval force on the planet. That first call in a few weeks will seem like heaven. Once they're in A School, they are afforded more access to the outside world. They can get back their phones, and computers. The first couple or weeks, Chris and his mates became FB buddies, and exchanged information, and rude jokes and of course wrote in that strange language that is NavySpeak. You will be checking the link here at NavyDads for the glossary, and still being lost most of the time.
The pain you feel now is proof that you did some things absolutely right in raising your son. Congratulations, and enjoy the ride. And welcome to the neighborhood!
Tony trust me it WILL get easier and the time will fly. My daughter just graduated on 10 June and it really went by fast. Key is to write to your son but realize that he will not have a lot of time to write back so do not get discouraged or worried if you do not get many letters back. Those letters from you will help him get thru the challenges ahead.
Tony,take it from experience Boot Camp will go faster then you think.In about 4 weeks there going to send you Graduation info from Great lakes,your Son will Also call you on how he is doing.It was the hardest thing I had to go through,but trust me when you see graduation,You will have be the most proud Dad in the World.My Son Nick went on to become A Navy Seabee Builder,he served in Iraq and Afganistan He is currently in the Naval reserve serving in California He Graduated from Basic training in October of 2005.Congrats to you and your Boy!
What Cheri wrote is so very true. As a parent (I believe) it's your job, no your responsibility to stay positive for him. It may seem like you're too far apart and there is nothing you do but that's just not true. If you haven't already, start writing letters that are positive, upbeat and full of encouragement. They will mean more to you son that you could possible imagine and focusing on helping him will help you as well.
Dont seem like it i know hes in gd hands the navy wont kill him just hard to deal with him not being here, he will be a man when its over,It will b hard on him because of his grandfathers passing anniversary thats July the 20 My sons b-day is July 19 so it will be really hard on him.
NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim said:
Tony it will get a bit easier. We as parents will always worry about our children. I certainly feel your pain. When we dropped my son off and to see him get in the van for MEPS was the hardest part of it. Over time, it got better as we were able to communicate with him. As soon as you get his address, write to him often as it's about the only outside contact he will have. Like everyone else has said here, stick with us, join the boot camp group and PIR group and ask any questions you may have. We are one big support group. Hang in there!
Replies
its so very hard to watch your child go but it must happen. there are so many bad ways they can leave home so be thankful. for your son it is important to write. i wrote every day. somedays letters somedays i sent funny cards with notes inside. its important for them to know that the life they know (home) is still there and ok. my sailor got more mail than anyother and was proud of that. some pictures of family are appreciated too. you can look on my page we tryed to be creative with our pictures. did i mention that my sailor is my daughter? she was daddys girl (tearing up a little). missing our kids is our job.
if ya need to talk thats what we are all here for
send a regular email if you want phone number
stay strong for our sailors
scincerly keith
Just remember, at this point, no news is good news. That means the recruits are adjusting and getting on with the business of learning to be sailors in the greatest naval force on the planet. That first call in a few weeks will seem like heaven. Once they're in A School, they are afforded more access to the outside world. They can get back their phones, and computers. The first couple or weeks, Chris and his mates became FB buddies, and exchanged information, and rude jokes and of course wrote in that strange language that is NavySpeak. You will be checking the link here at NavyDads for the glossary, and still being lost most of the time.
The pain you feel now is proof that you did some things absolutely right in raising your son. Congratulations, and enjoy the ride. And welcome to the neighborhood!
Tony trust me it WILL get easier and the time will fly. My daughter just graduated on 10 June and it really went by fast. Key is to write to your son but realize that he will not have a lot of time to write back so do not get discouraged or worried if you do not get many letters back. Those letters from you will help him get thru the challenges ahead.
I say this both as a Navy dad AND Former Marine.
NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim said:
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