My son returned to training today and I hate saying good-bye :(
It's only for a few weeks until Christmas; but it's been great having him home although I know he was itching to get back to his new 'brothers'!
I wonder if I will ever really get used to this ... My daughter will be home from Uni for reading week soon, so I have something to look forward to!
Being a mother is so painful at times - apparently 'Empty Nest Syndrome' is a real psychological condition when one or more children leave home - it's more prevalent in the Autumn when children go to college.
I'm pleased that I still have my little one.... But I miss the other two more than I thought!
Empty Nest help from Parentline plus
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Sunday, 18 October 2009
He's home!
We went to the 'Passing-in' Parade on Friday - I was so proud! It was great to see where he lives and meet some of his section. We had a presentation by the Commanding Officer and learnt what he has been doing for the last six weeks.
I wept when I saw him - so tall and formidable and in his uniform. The Junior Soldiers put on their regimental head dress for the first time which was moving for all of them - thinking of the history behind their badge and the soldiers that had gone before; some of whom had died for their country.
The living areas were not exactly what I had expected! My son was keen for me to see his locker which had taken so many hours to perfect the layout and the boots he had spent many hours polishing to a high sheen.
What I am having difficulty comprehending is how awesome the change is in him. He looks the same (only leaner) but his brain is completely different. His thought processes are altered. His priorities are changed. He isn't mine anymore - he belongs to the army through and through. I feel that if I were to cut him open it would say 'British Army' - just like a piece of seaside rock. It has only been 6 weeks - how can that be achieved? Hard work and discipline? It is certainly miraculous. No doubt this is only the beginning. I wonder what he will be like after a year? Will we still be able to converse about normal every day things?
Last night we were walking down the street - he even walks differently! He has poise, self confidence and body language that screams, 'Don't mess with me!'
It is so lovely to have him home and I'm just going to savour every second!
I wept when I saw him - so tall and formidable and in his uniform. The Junior Soldiers put on their regimental head dress for the first time which was moving for all of them - thinking of the history behind their badge and the soldiers that had gone before; some of whom had died for their country.
The living areas were not exactly what I had expected! My son was keen for me to see his locker which had taken so many hours to perfect the layout and the boots he had spent many hours polishing to a high sheen.
What I am having difficulty comprehending is how awesome the change is in him. He looks the same (only leaner) but his brain is completely different. His thought processes are altered. His priorities are changed. He isn't mine anymore - he belongs to the army through and through. I feel that if I were to cut him open it would say 'British Army' - just like a piece of seaside rock. It has only been 6 weeks - how can that be achieved? Hard work and discipline? It is certainly miraculous. No doubt this is only the beginning. I wonder what he will be like after a year? Will we still be able to converse about normal every day things?
Last night we were walking down the street - he even walks differently! He has poise, self confidence and body language that screams, 'Don't mess with me!'
It is so lovely to have him home and I'm just going to savour every second!
Saturday, 10 October 2009
6 days to go!!!
Well it's only 6 days until I get to see my son and bring him home for a week! Hurrah! These six weeks have dragged so much and I'm so looking forward to seeing him and having a proper conversation rather than snatched snippets of conversation on a mobile or text message.
I was on the Jeremy Vine show this week on BBC Radio 2! The topic was, 'would you let your son or daughter join the army and fight in Afghanistan?' I basically said that no matter how painful it is for a parent you have to let your children go - fly the nest, grow up and make their own decisions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n2w3z It'll only be a live link for 5 days from today - the army discussion is one hour in for half an hour - my 30 seconds of fame is about 25 minutes through the 30 minute section.
My son has to pass 3 tests before he is allowed to 'pass in' to the Army next week. The little one has dubbed this the 'Tri-soldier challenge' as in the Tri-wizard challenge in Harry Potter!! He has passed two so only one to go. Fingers crossed!
I'm going to be one of the proudest Mum's there on Friday!
I was on the Jeremy Vine show this week on BBC Radio 2! The topic was, 'would you let your son or daughter join the army and fight in Afghanistan?' I basically said that no matter how painful it is for a parent you have to let your children go - fly the nest, grow up and make their own decisions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n2w3z It'll only be a live link for 5 days from today - the army discussion is one hour in for half an hour - my 30 seconds of fame is about 25 minutes through the 30 minute section.
My son has to pass 3 tests before he is allowed to 'pass in' to the Army next week. The little one has dubbed this the 'Tri-soldier challenge' as in the Tri-wizard challenge in Harry Potter!! He has passed two so only one to go. Fingers crossed!
I'm going to be one of the proudest Mum's there on Friday!
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