Need ideas to cheer up DS

[Melora]

Chris called me today from basic training. Its the first time I've been able to talk to him for any length of time without hearing the Sargent bellowing to hurry up in the background.

He sounded like he was so worn out. He said he was given some "patio time" because he did so well on KP duty yesterday (he worked in the kitchen for 15 hours).

He said he is trying very hard but still having moments of stress. They let him talk to the doc when hes very stressed and he says that helps. His father was very hard on him when he was just a little guy (in ways I did not know about until many years later when my ex confessed how hard he was on him) and I believe this caused him not to be able to deal with stress very well.

He must have told me he loved me 50 times. He said he wants to do well and wants me to be proud of him, He said hes never done anything so hard in his life and he really wants to make this work.

Ive written him twice, and both of his sisters have written him. Im having the 8 year old write tonight.

He told me he feels so alone and so far away. I could hear in his voice that he didnt want to hang up but he talked to me for 20 minutes and that was a pretty long time to be using the phone.

He told me to tell Jeff (his step dad) that he loved him too. He said he very much wants me to come out for his gradutation at the end of March. He is afraid he might get recycled (sent back a week to 2 in training) and then I would have to change my flight plans.

I want him to know how proud I am of him and its so hard knowing how hard this is for him. I know if he can get through this he will come out a better person. One who feels a sense of accomplishment.

Does anyone have any other ideas of things I could do to help keep his moral up from out here in California? I hate for him to feel so alone even though I know in reality he is of course NOT alone. But I think lonely and homesick says it better.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My mom sent me a post card/silly card for EVERY day that I was at Basic. And I did the same thing for a friend when she was going through Basic. No matter how bad the day was, I could always count on mail call to cheer me up. And my freind told me the same thing. She said she knew that her mailbox would have something in it every day.

It doesn't have to be fancy; it just has to be from home!

Good luck and God Bless your son. Choosing to serve is a very noble life decision. Thanks Chris for making that choice.

 

[JC2]

I wish I had some advice. Here's a to someone who sounds like such a great, caring, and loving mom

 

[mommytotwo]

Are you able to send a video tape for him? Or maybe a thoughtout present that maybe only the two of you know about-like an inside joke thing? Maybe you can tell him that there is a surprise waiting for him at home so that he looks forward to everyday as it passes by.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I used to send my cousin care packages when he was in Germany, and he would share the food/treats with his buddies. I don't think it's so much the food itself, but the package from home - someone cares - goes a long way.

Please say thank you to your son for me.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Keep those cards and letters coming. The big thing in basic is to get mail the more the better. It really doesn't matter what you send as long as it is mail. When DS was in boot they had an unspoken contest of who could get the most mail! Send pictures too. And unless the recruit asks for a specific care package we didn't send anything to DS. He said one guy got a box of candy bars from home and had to eat everyone of them in front of the drill instructor at one time! Ugh, what a belly ache!

When DS was in medical after breaking his wrist it was hard to keep him up but I sent him all kinds of goofy stuff that I knew would make him laugh. Do a search for military humor and print out some of the jokes to send him. A page of military inspirational quotes might pump him up. Get your family members involved!

We cleaned Target, Wal-Mart, and Eckerd out of encouragement cards!

Good luck to you and your son!

 

[Dan Murphy]

No ideas, Melora, just a for you both.

 

[jsmith]

where is he in basic at? Just curious. Denifinately keep the letters coming-not just in basic either. My DH is over in the sand and every time I hear from him he wants more mail-cards letters and packages. Emails and IMs are great but they can't carry those around in their pockets to re-read later. I hope he learns to handle the stress better-thats tough-what is his MOS(military occupational speciality) going to be? Is he going to AIT at the same post or is he going somewhere else? A change of scenery may help with the stress. Also, just being in the military-even the Reserves is just pretty high stress right now because of all the deployments so just keep letting him know you love and support him and that there are a lot of us out here who understand and apprieciate his sacrifice and yours.

 

[nativetxn]

Sorry your son is feeling so homesick. When my brother's were in basic training I sent little packages and cards on a regular basis and that seemed to help a little bit.

Sending you a pm.

Katholyn

 

[Duchie]

The little care package idea is great. You could include special treats from his hometown or goodies that only Mom can make. Another thing is toys, little stuff we always enjoyed as kids (Silly Putty, Yo Yo's, Slinkys, Etch-a-Sketch, etc.) They don't have to be expensive, but there have been lots of studies about the relaxing effects of toys in the workplace.

 

[Melora]

Hes in Basic at Lackland AFB in Texas.

Hes going to be in Tachtical Aircraft Maintence. Everything from the engine to the airframe.

He really wants to do that and I just hope he can find it in himself to endure this difficult time.

At the end of March, if he gradutates, he will then go Shepherd AFB which I think is in Wichita Falls.

Im going to send him a prepaid calling card today because the one I sent him with didnt work.

 

[Boo'sMom]

mail......mail....mail.....when my DH was in basic, that was his lifeline. Mailcall is such a big deal, and getting something from home will definately make his day.

Hang in there....both of you.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Originally posted by Melora
Hes in Basic at Lackland AFB in Texas.

Hes going to be in Tachtical Aircraft Maintence. Everything from the engine to the airframe.

He really wants to do that and I just hope he can find it in himself to endure this difficult time.

At the end of March, if he gradutates, he will then go Shepherd AFB which I think is in Wichita Falls.

Im going to send him a prepaid calling card today because the one I sent him with didnt work.

Yes, Sheppard AFB is in Wichita Falls. Does he know what type of aircraft he is going to be working on??? Anyway, when he gets to Sheppard, he will begin to get a little more freedom than he has at Basic right now. It's called Phase training, and in each phase, trainees get more freedoms.

Hang in there. He will be just fine! PM or e-mail me if you just want to chat.

 

[jsmith]

Melora-sorry for the Army accronyms-did not know your DS was AF! Once he is out of basic things will get a litte easier for him. Also, instead of sending him a calling card try ordering one from AAFES.com-they are desiged to work with military base phone systems and give you a better rate.