Military Families Support Group

I wish I could tell you it gets easier...it doesnt. There are days you will feel stronger and days you will fall apart. Some things that helped me cope were to stay busy try something new it might help distract you for awhile, and it will give you something positive to write to your son about. ( they worry about us more than they let on ) Take good care of yourself mentally and physically. Are there any support groups for military families in your area? Try to find other parents with kids in the military it helps to be around people who "get it" sometimes folks mean well but dont really understand. Another thing that helped me was sending care packages ,I would spend time looking for funny cards and things about home to send. They love hearing about home .Mail and packages are all they have sometimes. I always thought if it made my son smile or laugh I was giving some small comfort to him.

My prayers go out for you and your son.

My bf whom ive been with for 4 1/2 years is in the AF. He has beem deployed 4 or 5 times and to some pretty bad places. What helps me when I miss him is ours laptops/ computers. I write emails everytime I thinl about him and he emails me back the first chance he gets. We even webcam chat whenever its possible to do so. Everynight I cuddle a shirt of his, one of his ABU tops and a stuffed animal he bought me. He also bought his mom a huge teddy bear dressed in a flight suit which she carries around with her while hes deployed. I know its not the same as mother and child but the longing is not any less. Just keep things around that remind you of him maybe when he gets home he can send you a build a bear with him recording a special message for you so you can hear his voice. I wish you & your son well and safety.

You substitute that feeling of fear and all the negativity. I've never been on the side that is waiting for a loved one to come back but I've been the loved one that left many times. I was an Army Ranger, made multiple deployments, married, had family at home, and we're trained to adapt and overcome. Some soldiers don't realize through the stress of it all that we have to help our families to do the same. If you miss your son, I am sure you are also so proud that it makes you sad to not have the ability to tell him but you do have the ability to express it. Find ways to honor him in your community. Take donations for care packages and you can google "care packages for soldiers" for more details on that. The way we adapt and overcome is by replacing emotions that hinder the mission and our ability to focus. Your mission, as a mom, is to love your son, be proud, and honor what he does for this country. It's okay to cry, be upset, and let the emotions get the best of you but then we have to pick ourselves up and drive on. It does get easier, you just have to find a way to replace the time you give sadness and fear with pride, honor, joy, and patriotism if it helps. Also, understand that him not being able to tell you his location is due to what we call "opsec" - operation security. Well, I hope this helps, feel free to message me anytime if you need to vent or want some advice.
-Jay