Having a lazy child

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Permalink Reply by Jaydeen on May 12, 2009 at 9:14pm

Hi Barbara,

My son Kyle sounds a lot like your son. Kyle is currently TALKING to the recruiters, and they are starting the background checks, but he hasn't officially signed yet. He is a major WOW addict, goes to sleep at 4-5 a.m., wakes up the next day at 1 p.m.-ish and starts again. Hasn't exercised much to speak of his entire life unless you count rapid keyboarding. Probably has the most fit fingers this side of the Sierras. I truly believe the Navy will be a wonderful experience for him, but he is a bit scared, and we (mom and dad) are a bit scared for him as well. He would like to talk to someone (other than a recruiter) who is rather like himself and already in the Navy to learn a little bit more about what it's been like for them. He just doesn't know anyone in the Navy, sadly. Do you think your son might be willing to communicate with mine briefly about his experience so far?

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Permalink Reply by Anti M on May 12, 2009 at 11:32pm

He sounds like my friend Troy, who is now an E-5, on a ship, and lovin' the Navy. Troy lived in my basement briefly, and we rarely saw each other as I was getting up when he was going to sleep. He can do it, he'll just have to suck it up and work at it for a while.

Running would be good. The PT always killed me.

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Permalink Reply by Robin on August 22, 2008 at 4:33pm

Oh My God.. almost the way my son was.. when mine was in high school he went to school, went to his part time job and came home and did the same exact thing, play video games or spent time with his friends. He worked a full time job for almost a year before getting laid off and then made the rash decision to join the Navy, signed up for it and was gone 11 days later, that's how quick things went at my house. I have read plenty of comments on this site that parents and son's/daughters had months to prepare for this, this wasnt the case here. But he also had joined the gym several months before hand and was in good physical shape.. was most worried about the running part tho.. he's not a runner, but tall and thin and the swimming part kinda made him wonder.

Anyway, has your son done any physical activities? Running is a key (or was for my boy) thing as they have to do it in a certain amount of time. He will get it eventually tho.. they push them, but not nearly as hard as say the Marines. That was one thing my son was a little disappointed with in the Navy.. he wished boot camp was harder than it was. I'm not saying it was easy but I know from listening to his friend talk about his experience with Marine boot camp.. the Navy was a piece of cake, and trust me.. the stories from his friend would down right scare any Mom and make you wanna lock your kid up and say - I dont think so!!

He will do fine, he WILL wake up and do what he is told to do and yes just like the other Mom's have said- it is team work here, he will probably hate it the minute he gets there. If someone steps out of line, they ALL pay the price and No-one wants to fail.. Just remember- when you get his address- WRITE TO HIM and KEEP encouraging him all the way and it makes it easier on them!!

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Permalink Reply by Ramona - Proud Mom of Andrew! on August 22, 2008 at 6:42pm

I completely understand, Tracy!!! My son has been at BC for 6 weeks and before he left he had an "I don't care" attitude. He had a job but quit it 6 weeks before he left and just kinda laid around the house. Thank goodness for a recruiter who was able to motivate him a little bit. Have a heart to heart with the recruiter, sometimes they can give them a dose of reality.
I just got a letter yesterday from my recruit and I can tell since the first letter that he has grown up quite a bit and has been given some responsibility within the division which forced him not to be lazy.

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Permalink Reply by Marianne Green on August 22, 2008 at 8:20pm

Hi Tracy . . . Like most of the teenagers today, mine too was lazy -- and at times, disrespectful and irresponsible. I got tired of asking him to clean his room -- but I did it when he left! He was always playing XBox 360 and on his computer chatting. He finally left July 16. I can't believe the change in him via his letters and phone call (1 each to us and letters to others.) He says boot camp is a breeze. His division beat the division's old training record. He's in the top 10 percent of his division - and this was a kid who ended up joining the Navy because he finally realized that he hadn't worked hard enough in high school to go to college In addition, he worked hard and was quickly promoted to an E2. Now he is working on an E3 promotion. For the first time in his life, he sounds motivated to work hard. He was very respectful -- and confident -- when we spoke with him on the phone. I'm sure in time that you'll be just as proud and bragging about your son's miraculous change as well! Keep your chin up.

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Permalink Reply by Tracy, Proud Mom of Darryl on August 24, 2008 at 11:56pm

I'm so happy for your son, I can't wait till I'm able to breg on my son like that....lol.

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Permalink Reply by Alison M. Field on August 22, 2008 at 9:11pm

Hi Tracy, This will be a great experience for your son and for you! It will cause him to grow and to get out of his laziness. They will work together because that is the only way it works for them as a team. It will be tough but it will be worth it and he will apprectiate that in the end. we are all here for help and encouragement. It is worth it all ..... ~alison

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Permalink Reply by T's mom on August 22, 2008 at 9:38pm

Boot camp will change him so much,the first time you see him after you, will already see the difference.Mine wasn't lazy just mouthy.As a matter of fact he ended up living with my ex-inlaws 6 months before he joined.
Because he decided to move home after being gone to college for 1 year and thought he could party and drink all night.We argued and had raised voices more than we got along.
Now,he is so different.He tells me all the time how much he misses me and loves me.I tell him the same and add how proud I am of him and how far he has came along.He left as a immature brat and now he is a man.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa (Tucson) on August 22, 2008 at 9:42pm

What wonderful stories you all are sharing....glad to be a part of it.

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Permalink Reply by Janise on August 23, 2008 at 11:59am

I have the same son and he left yesterday Aug. 22. I am so afraid. I hope that this site will give us both some advice and peace of mind. I got the 24 sec. phone call last night telling me he was there and he is ok. The last second was I love you ma' and then the phone was silent. I am still crying. I don't want to scare you but I like you am worried to death. My Blake is so slow and lazy I don't know how he will make it.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie T on August 23, 2008 at 7:09pm

Tracey,
Are you sure your not talking about my son? Sean left for boot camp on July 27. He is not one to take orders, devoted Waaaay to much time to video games and we nearly died when he told us he wanted to join the Military. Well, it's been four weeks and he is still there. I don't know what they are doing but apparently it is working. The first two letters home were heartbreaking, he was miserable. But in the last one (received last Thursday) he said it was getting better! I think, though he did not say, he hated all the physical labor. The advice I got so far from other Navy Mom's is to send positive, encouraging letters. I have written Sean nearly everyday and I always say "you can do this!" I think he never realized what he was capable of before and I hope this experience will boost his self esteem and his motivation. I hope it does for your son too!

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Permalink Reply by Susie M. on August 23, 2008 at 11:53pm

Gosh, Tracy did you imagine your question would generate so many comments? I had to laugh when I read all of them. Of course that was followed by tears. My son is in Basic Training now, set to graduate 9-26. Before he left, I worried that they would send him home becuase the boy just could not manage to get out of bed on time...for anything!! It was so bad that the TWO alarm clocks he had would wake me up before they woke him-from the other side of the house!! Now, I would give anything to have him home! But, I must admit that from his letters and phone call they are somehow changing him from a boy to a man.

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