It can be unsettling to think about your son or daughter joining the Army.
You had planned to have your kid go to college, find a job, get married, and give you grandchildren.
Your plans just changed.
You’re a complex and mixed set of emotions during this unfamiliar time.
You feel like no one understands your concerns.
That’s okay! It’s normal!
You're anxious and hesitant.
You have so many unanswered questions.
You want to know what’s going on. You need to know.
You deserve to know.
Photo credit: Ivan Samkov via Pexels
Photo credit: Ivan Samkov via Pexels
Afterall, that’s your child...
You’ve spent the last 18 years being a mother, nurse, tutor, chauffeur, cook, maid, banker, and confidante.
Sometimes, when you look at your son, you don't see the man he is becoming.
You see your little boy.
You see the big grins...
the chubby cheeks.
You can still feel him wrapped up in your arms...
the snuggles he gives to you on those lazy Saturday mornings...
the laughter you share.
You remember taking him to his first day of school...
hanging his drawings proudly on the refrigerator,
the ball games,
the skinned knees.
You remember the mother's day cards he made for you...
the dandelions he picked and professed his love for you.
You give a half-serious laugh when you think of the times he gave you such a scare.
He was such a daredevil.
And as your little boy's mom, you still want to protect him.
It's not easy to let go.
Suddenly, with this news of joining the Army,
you feel left out and cut off
from all information.
You’ve tried talking with his recruiter, but the recruiter is busy. They have paperwork and the enlistment process to complete.
Recruiters have other young men and women they work with who are going through the same process.
A sobering realization overcomes you:
Your son/daughter is a legal adult now.
Recruiters don't have to talk to you.
You're frustrated!
You’re designed to nurture, solve problems, and take care of pretty much everything.
It’s what you’re used to - and to be candid...
it’s what you long for.
You're the queen of fixers, the keeper of the band-aids, and the kisser of owies.
Sitting in the dark,
you wonder what happens next,
you wonder how you will stay in touch with your child,
you have an uneasy feeling.
Truth be told,
you feel a little angry at the Army
for not sharing more information with you. Information about your child. It feels unfair!
Your feelings are understandable.
I get you.
Photo credit: Yan Krukau via Pexels
Photo credit: Mart Production via Pexels
After your daughter leaves for basic training (aka boot camp)...
you feel lost.
Your house is quiet. Her room is empty. The everyday chatter and chaos is absent.
You're worried...
you haven’t heard from her in days…
maybe even a few weeks. Ugh!
The WAITING!
You want to write letters, but you don’t know where to send them.
You try to be patient while waiting for a phone call. You're carrying your phone with you everywhere you go. But the phone doesn't ring.
The waiting...
keeps you on edge.
Each day that passes
feels like FOREVER.
You're her mother. You want to… no, scratch that.
You NEED to know...
she is safe,
she is okay,
she is succeeding.
I'm right there with you.
Don't give up! There is good news!!
As a mother and your friend, I've been through this process. Not once, but twice!
I was so frustrated.
I had the same questions and worries that you have right now.
When my first son joined the Army, social media wasn't accepted by the Armed Forces. All communication I received was through postal mail.
That's right.... snail mail.
The waiting was torture for me.
I had no choice but to wait on the Army to send me the information I needed to make plans.
When my second son joined the Army, ten years had passed. Thankfully, access to information was a little easier. But I was still at the mercy of the military mindset.
The Army doesn't tell you about the enlistment process...
what records your son or daughter needs in order to join,
what challenges they go through,
when they have the swearing in ceremony,
and little else.
The Army doesn't owe you this information. Nope. Your son/daughter is considered an adult. And they will learn very quickly to take accountability and responsibility for themselves.
(Trust me - This is the beginning of a beautiful thing)
After my son left for basic training, I had to hunt down his training location and specific unit information on social media. I had to figure out everything I needed to communicate with him, when to expect his calls, where to find photos of him, and how to make arrangements that would coordinate with his graduation.
You don't have to go through this alone.
You don't have to struggle through the details.
Here's the good news - This book was written for you!
Joining the Army:
A Guide for Mothers of Soon-to-Be Soldiers
This book not only answers the questions you have, but it also gives you the information you need.
This book tells you what the trainees go through from week to week while at basic training.
I've also included stories of mistakes I made when my sons were going through training. Embarrassment and heartache doesn't even begin to describe what I went through. I share my stories to help you avoid the same mistakes.
You no longer need to feel left out or worried about the enlistment process.
This book is your BFF
While your son or daughter is away at training, this book is your resource. You’ll get the answers you need and know how to resolve the concerns you have.
This book will help you be prepared. You'll be able to help guide other mothers and put them at ease by sharing your newly acquired knowledge.
You'll also be excited about everything you learn so that when you finally get news of the basic training graduation you'll be ready to celebrate!
Now THAT is something to be proud of!!
251 pages of important information you don't
want to miss such as:
-
What records are needed to enlist
-
What needs to be discussed with your son/daughter before they leave
-
How to contact your trainee while they are gone
-
What information to share if there is an emergency at home
-
Where to find pictures of your son/daughter while they are training
-
How females fit into the male-dominated soldier world
-
Phases of training (Red, White, Blue)
-
Lighting a candle during The Forge
-
How to connect with other parents
-
Where to send letters
-
How to attend basic training graduation
-
What documents are required from you, as the parent, for entering an Army training/housing base
-
So.... much.... more!
Don't miss your opportunity to take back your Mom card!
Embrace your confidence!
Get ready for
big hugs and joyful tears
when you get to see your son or daughter transformed
into the fine
United States Army soldier
they have worked so hard to become.
Hooah!
Tap the link below to purchase your copy of
Joining the Army: A Guide for Mothers of Soon-to-Be Soldiers !
Testimonials
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for moms….. but mostly for moms - C. Moran
This is a great book if you have any of your kids male or female going into the military. CJ talks about everything you need to know from where to begin, arm service vocabulary, enlistment oath, mail and phone calls, basic combat training, religion, family days acronyms and jargon of the military.
CJ has experience with two of her sons going off into the military, I find this book very informative, straight to the point and a mothers Bible to your military kids serving our great country.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great information! - M. Dennis
I loved this book! It had a lot of good, helpful information that will definitely guide new moms through what it means when their kid enlists.
The author's use of their own experiences with her two sons enlisting provides that personal touch.
A really good read and I can't recommend it enough.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book - Cheyenne
This book was incredibly helpful and well written. It really explained what to expect when your child goes into the service and brought to light how many moms feel when their child signs up and goes into the military.
