Boot Camp

If it were me, I would try to find a girlfriend I could make plans with. My mom and sister and sister-in-law live far away, but if they were closer, I'd try to make plans with them too. When I have to deal with stuff like that, I do best when I'm with other company (especially female company) to get my mind off what's going on.

But your husband didn't do this, his work did. What is supposed to do, sorry boss but I can't do my job this week the wife is emo.

I am not saying this to make fun of your feelings, I am sure they are very real. It just seems like taking it out on your husband is displaced anger.

Looking at the other answers I like them better, still don't be mad at your husband for doing his job. :)

I'm thrilled that your son is excited about this new phase in his life. His selfless decision to serve his country is appreciated. I'm also grateful for you to let us 'borrow' your loved on in order for him to train to keep this country free and safe.

Schedule lots of stuff to do that day. Call your girlfriends and let them know that this is the day your son leaves and that you need support. Go do a pedicure/manicure, dinner, movie, just anything to help celebrate your son's great sacrifices and to keep your mind positive and light-hearted.

Not every person in this country is physically, mentally, or emotionally able to do the job your son is about to do. Take pride in the fact that he is sharing his gifts where they are needed. Best wishes, mama!

Can you take some time off of work and go with your husband? You can turn it into a vacation while he is working.

keep busy. Make a to do list for that day that keeps your mind going and off topic. Maybe you can get signed up to volunteer. Hand out a meal to homeless. do something you will look back on and feel good about. that is why your son is so excited. he is doing something he will look back on and say wow!! I did it. make that your day to do something worth remembering. Then maybe you can do it every June 20th. It is a hard thing to do. I have never said good bye to my own going into boot camp. I had to say good bye to the first guy I ever loved though, to boot camp.

Stay strong mama! You are amazing and so is your son!

oooohhhh how exciting!!!!

Instead of being angry - RELISH the "empty nest"!!! Go through the house and "spring clean"....

I don't know your son - but how proud you must be!!! Tell him I said THANK YOU for his service!!! VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

Men don't handle empty nests the same way women do - for them - it's just another day....they need to get away to address their "oh my life has flown by" - so really - instead of being angry - relish the empty nest....it will be okay!!!

Maybe you could schedule dinner with some girlfriends or family?

Sorry I know it will be hard day. Best wishes to you and your son!

And for what its worth: The day my brother left, I cried like a baby. He has been out for quite some time now, and boy did the army influence him into a great man that he is today. I know other men that could have needed that structure in their lives.

If your husband can't change his trip (and I suspect he can't), then make some wonderful plans for the week. Make dates with your friends for "girls night out". Get some of the food that maybe they don't like so much and you love. Chocolate should be involved. Plan for bubble baths, good books, and maybe a movie or two that are your taste and not theirs. Be as self indulgent as you can within your budget, and enjoy it. Do you have a good friend or sister who could come spend a day or two with you at the beginning of the week?
I think your worries for your son are coloring your feelings of anger against your husband. Please let him off the hook for this one. He's probably coping with this in his own way.
This will be a big transition in your life as well as your son's. Make sure you and your husband talk about this when you're not so angry with him. Good luck to you all.

Wow, ladies, such great advice here so far.

S., make the day you dread (and maybe even the following one) a day that's very special for you; you can celebrate what a wonderful job you have done with and for your son to date. At one big event in my son's life I realized my husband was clueless as to how I was feeling...so I bought myself a beautiful bouquet of flowers to enjoy. When he asked about the occasion, well, I TOLD him and he was sort of, well, DUH.

I also second the idea of keeping a journal. This is a unique time in your and your son's life and writing your thoughts down will help you deal with the emotion as it all comes out and onto paper. There have been studies that compare how effective journaling is vs. seeing a therapist. It might also be something your son will enjoy reading at a later date...so in a way it could be a gift. I frequently write letters to my son and then put them away for him to have should anything unexpected happen to me; I want him to know how much he's loved.

There are many men out there like you describe; some of my friends NEVER even get a birthday card from their spouses. It's painful for each of them but it seems like it works to make a celebration of your own with friends for these events; in a way, it's sad to think how much joy these men are missing.

Congratulations and good luck as you move forward to this new phase in your life!

It will be an emotional day for you either way. My son just finished Air Force basic training in Feb and I cried for 2 days when he left. Every time I saw or touched something of his I broke down. But you will get through it and will be strong for him. Letters are so important for these young men and women during that time. Maybe make plans to start writing letters that day that you can send to him as soon as you have his address. I wrote to my son every day...and it meant a lot. Reading those letters was all they could really do in whatever free time they have. Start putting together a memory book for him of this period too, something that you can give to him when he graduates.

Do you get to go to the MEPs with him to see him off? If so, there will be other parents there that will be going through the same thing.

I found a great support site for Air Force on Facebook called AF Wing Moms. I would look for a support group for the branch your son is going into. Once I found this group it made it so much easier for me - they were a great source of information and support.

You will get through it and will be so proud of your son and the transformation that he is going to go through!!

I've been married almost 30 years to a traveling man. I can count on one hand the birthdays/anniversaries/special occasions he's been at on both hands in all those years!!! So I know what you mean. Our son was born (C-section) on Friday before Memorial Day and he left Tuesday morning on a trip!! In fact, had to fly in Thursday night before he was born!!!! You can either be bitter, or thankful that he has a job. It's your choice. Men think about providing for their families as part of their jobs. OUR emotional needs NEVER factor into that equation. It's not that they don't care, it's just that it's never considered!! It's how YOU respond to it that will either bring harmony or discord. I realized way back when that if I was going to be happy, I had to change how I looked at the situation. I'm sure he figured if he was there till he left and made the day before good - all was great. Never even thought about your emotional state the day of your son's departure - after all, "it's only boot camp". I could hear those words come out of MY husband's mouth......

Find out what time your son will be leaving. Then book yourself a pedicure or something...find a book that will be waiting for you that day that you've been dying to read...plan to take a walk with a friend, or just be alone if you prefer and go to an arboretum (sorry, can't spell) or some place of beauty and just walk. Start writing a journal of your thoughts and feelings. Use that blessing of a day to "get in touch" with yourself and TREAT yourself a bit...celebrate that you have done a great job of raising a great young man.
I can only partially understand. My husband is deployed, and while it's tough, I cannot imagine watching my son get on a bus...though I know the day will come.
hugs to you.