First Phone Call from Boot Camp

[NavyMomx2]

We got that first "I'm here, I'm okay, I love you, and I gotta go" phone call about 11:00 last night.

Who would have thunk it - I was so anxiously awaiting that call and dreading it at the same time. I guess the mother in me really kicked in and I wished so much that I could go there and 'help' him through this, he sounded so tired. Then after a moment the brain over rode the heart and told me that this was all good. That he is strong and that he will be fine - he was in a good place.

Did you guys have those emotions of wanting to help, yet knowing you couldn't/shouldn't and then back again - so many mixed emotions it's crazy!

I can't imagine the emotions when 'the box' arrives. Oh my and I thought I had prepared myself for all things to come. Silly me. :shakeheadno:

Beckie
NavyMomX2

[missgirl]

not a mom... wife side of it here... but i think the entire boot camp experience is bitter sweet... up until the last little bit. the box was hard to receive... but by then you'll be used to writing letters, and once you start getting them things get a little easier! keep your head up.. he is going to come out of this such a changed man :smile:

[Kristie]

Beckie....all of what you are feeling is perfectly normal...it is part of the roller coaster ride.....it is also part of the letting go thing which I still have a hard time with but I have to remember to let them grow up....

Hang in there....we are here for you and when you get the box....you might want to let it sit for a bit and make sure that someone is around when you open it.....both times for me I cried when I saw it but then laughed when I opened it to see the strange way things came back....

[glennsmom]

I completely understand as I still feel that way about my one and only Sailor son. I know it is a good thing though as it is forcing me to cut those strings and for him to stand on his own feet. Knowing that keeps me going.

[Will'sMom]

Beckie, So glad that you did get that phone call -- I know that must have eased your mind some. My son's PIR was 2/2/07 and I still feel like I'm learning to let go. He is 19 years old and it's hard to quit thinking like a Mom and being a Mom. I too know that my son is in a good place. For now, just write your son a letter every day -- I know that my son loved getting letters from home. You hang in there, bootcamp will be over before you know it -- but in the meantime, you've got a nice group of friends that are here for you at the Navy Cafe. Take care.

Melanie

[NavyMomx2]

Thank you all for your encouragment and thoughts. Now the dumbest question ever -

do I call the public relations office at Great Lakes to get his address - or does that come in that form letter they send home? I have a few cards ready to go for him, just need to know where to send them.

I could have sworn I knew all this stuff - not sure where I left my brain!

Thanks in advance - I'll get my head/thoughts back soon...I hope.

Beckie
NavyMomX2:huh:

[Navy_Proud]

Beckie,

Welcome to the rollercoast and hang on tight for the ride of your life!!!

First of all, yes, call the PAO office for your son's address and start mailing those letters now. When he's finally able to recieve mail he'll have plenty waiting for him. When my son's form letter came it had a misprinted address so trust the one PAO gives you. They will also give you your son's division number and expected PIR date.

Second, remember that no matter what the emotion you're feeling, it's natural, and someone here has experienced the same thing at some point in the process. It's good, bad and ugly, all rolled into one.

Good luck - we're here for you!

[KYmom]

I could have sworn I knew all this stuff - not sure where I left my brain!

Thanks in advance - I'll get my head/thoughts back soon...I hope.


Beckie
NavyMomX2:huh:


It is still in shock, no one to yell at, no shoes to trip over, no wet towels to pick up. It just don't know how to act right now. Give it time to learn how to relax. . . . LOL

[NavyMomx2]

Okay I'm better now. Reading all your posts have helped tremdously (sp). I just got off the phone with PRO in Great Lakes and to hear that man's voice telling me my son's address and expected PIR date was amazingly comforting.

I can feel my brain starting to regain some cells - I'm off to the mailbox...no, wait, I need to go buy stamps...a lot of stamps....Thanks again everyone - I'd be lost without you.

Beckie
NavyMomX2

[Kristie]

Beckie.....glad that you got the address now start writing letters......and be sure to put pictures in with each letter.....mine begged for more pictures....

Hang in there girl....it will be over before you know it!

[WCsMom]

Consider making up questionnaires and mailing them to your son. You can ask lots and lots of questions and all they have to do is circle the answer or write a brief one or two word response. I found this to be very, very useful as they have very little time to write home and I had way more questions than he had time to write. It only took him a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and when it arrived, I felt like I knew what he was doing and what he was going through. I tried to keep it lighthearted. I even enclosed a stamped, self-addressed envelope so all he had to do was put his return address on it and drop it in the mail. In all, I sent him 4 questionnaires that asked questions about things he would have progressed into each week. I read the book Honor, Courage, Commitment so I knew about what he would be doing each week and asked questions based on the book.

When the box arrives, be sure to look in all the pockets. I found a brief note tucked in the back pocket of my sons jeans.

Time will fly by. Just write to him everyday. You will feel so much better and he will appreciate the mail.

[NavyMomx2]

Thanks I like the idea of the questionnaires - he'd probably appreciate having them and spending less time trying to fit it all in. What a great idea - I'm off to do just that.

Beckie

[Kristie]

Yes....they are a good idea....and also try to write down questions you may have so that when you talk to him you will remember them.....I could never remember what I wanted to ask.....lol

[cousinIT]

aww...the first call..I remember that.

I was all kinds of excited/nervous...pretty much didn't know what to think!!!

He'll be fine..let me know if you have any questions! The first two weeks will probably really suck for him cause you're just gettin used to all of the changes..but he'll get the hang of things!

When you get his address, I'd like to have it for support! I know it helped me a lot.

[Barbygirl]

Beckie (I'm alittle late responding to this thread :( )...............I'm glad that you got his address and PIR date and that you are feeling alittle better..........I, too, went through all the emotions you have talked about. I still go through them with my son being in BUD/s Training (actually he's been on medical and will class back up on 6/25)........I so want to be there in person supporting him, but he is a fine young man and handling things very well on his own (which doesn't necessarily help me LOL)

Just know that this is a roller coaster ride and you WILL feel every emotion imaginable and then some and they are all perfectly normal!!!!!

Lean on us whenever you need to ............We certainly understand

Please thank your Sailor for his service to our country!

[NavyMomx2]

Thank you all for your encouragement and support - it means the world.

Beckie

[cousinIT]

no problem!!!

And if your daughter has any questions, cause let's face it--boot camp is a little bit different for the females, just let me know!!!