I do have a confession to make though:(:( For the last 6 months or so, Johnny was getting mail from the Army, Airforce, navy and marines.

I didn't show them to him. I didn't open them and I didn't throw them away but I was afraid it might put ideas in his head and I already went through 4 1/2 years of HE!! when my oldest son Joined and went to Afghanistan for 15 months.

I know I'm awful and I will eventually show him. I just didn't want any outside influence.

I'm probably going to get some flack from some of you and I probably deserve it but he's under 18 and he lives in my house and at this point I am just a mom protecting her young:cool::eek::o

(I do feel better after confessing);)

Congrats!

I know how long their school careers can be. Felt like I dragged both of mine all the way.

:p

You did fine keeping those letters. I don't blame you a bit - I did the same thing.

:o

I have only one son and they weren't getting him without a fight. He's the last boy with his family name, and that should mean something.

Thanks for this Vic. My dd is heading to communtiy college this fall. It's nice to know you think highly of them and they're worthwhile.

She wants to be a translator, taught herself Japanese.

congrats beth, hopefully the last one will be easy, we recently had the last of 5 graduate its a great feeling, glad the weather cooperated, again congrats beth

Congrats Johnny and mom. Being a retired Marine (by disability), I see no reason for you to get any flack. The decision is his if he wants to go in the service, and you have every right to be scarred. If you hid the mail from him so what, he doesnt need that for him to make a decision. Any how good luck.

Thank you JMiller for that! I kinda have a guilty conscience but you are absolutely right. If he has it in his head to join he is going to with or without the mail that I confiscated. LOL

The first part of 12th grade he did talk alot about joining the airforce but he hasn't mentioned it in awhile and I guess I didn't want the info to get him back in the mood.

He's a smart kid and I know what ever decisions he makes he'll make them after thinking about it for a while:)

He's going to do what he's going to do. Unfortunately you can't do a thing about that (after he turns 18 I mean).

But until then, DO continue to hide every single letter you get. You keep nurturing, and protecting him. You're his mom. That's what we do.

There isn't a parent on this board who won't side with you!!!

Sincerely,

Melody

me too beth
 

Beth I did the same thing with my Nick. Im really not proud of myself, but
would have no problem with any mom doing the same thing.:o

:hug:

Confessions are certainly good to cleanse the soul. shhhhhew!! I feel better.

I kinda blamed myself when my older son joined the army.

He had absolutely no direction in life. We got into an argument one day just a few days after his 18th birthday.

He wasn't working, just kinda laying around and I got mad. I told him he needed to do something worthwhile in his life. I blurted out "why don't you join the army. A place to sleep, eat, and exercise. ( I was just mad when I said that)

Three days later he came to me with his enlistment papers. My jaw hit the floor and I started bawling. I told him, "I can't believe you did this" "What the heck is wrong with you"! He said "you told me too!" I said " I DIDN'T MEAN IT" "geez MARK, If I told you to jump off the ambassador bridge would you do it:eek:"

This was pre 911 and so 4 weeks later Mark was on his first plane ride to Missouri (Ft. Leonardwood) after bootcamp he came home for a bit and on Sept 10th the day before 911 he flew to FT Drum New York.

6 weeks later he was in Afghanistan and I quietly have never forgiven myself.

That boy has not been the same since he came back.

After thinking about what I was doing as far as withholding military information mail from johnny, I carefully put it through the shedder!

Awwww What a beautiful Sunny Day.

(((Beth)))

My brother went to Viet Nam... some of his friends never came back. My neice went to Saudi Arabia and Iraq - A woman, AFMP? How scary is that? I'm proud of her, trust me. But I don't know how her father lived through that.

I have one son. He has a beautiful little girl. She's coming tomorrow, and we will be blowing bubbles and coloring with side walk chalk.

:)