>U Mom Knows Best: Learning To Be A Merchant Marine Mom

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Learning To Be A Merchant Marine Mom



EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH AN OCEAN VIEW

           Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Wind Passion. Regardless, my opinions are honest. 

  It is official, my son has been accepted into the Merchant Marine Academy! My middle child, number three of five kids, has been away for 6 weeks and life is not quite the same without him. The house has been quiet and our grocery bill has been cut in half. The younger boys miss their older brother and are growing up a bit too fast. I am learning to let them become more independent. Without the teen at home, the boys are learning to stay home by themselves so mom and dad can workout at the gym. The younger boys are also making some money as they are doing yard work for the neighbors that my son used to do. Letting go of my child has been tougher this time around. My older two children left the house many years ago and my second one who is in the Navy has been overseas three times so why this time is different I am not sure. Maybe because the last time the younger two were babies and I did not have time to dwell upon it. This time around I have more time to pray for my child and a simple Unique handmade nautical bracelet has helped me. This stylish bracelet reminds me to not only pray for my son but it also makes me feel proud to be a Merchant Marine mom.


Its a sailors life for me!

  I became a military mom when my 2nd child went off to Navy boot camp. It was a new learning experience for me as I did not grow up with any military people in my family. I thought I was prepared for my middle child as he headed off to the Merchant Marine Academy. My son was the Valedictorian of his class and the CO of his NJROTC. My son ran a 4:30 mile in track. So this boy was prepared for what was in store for him. This mom, on the other hand, was not. It was tough to see my son endure plebe week with way too much exercise, way too little sleep, and way too much of being ordered around by the upperclassmen. He survived those two weeks and then started the classwork. I learned that the academy is equivalent to an ivy league school but more vigorous as he had 15 weeks of a class crammed into 12 weeks so he could be on a ship for a year. That meant the coursework of his academics were being done in three years instead of four like a typical college.

My passion is in the wind!



May the sea welcome you as a mother would embrace the return of her children after a long absence.”
― Anthony T. Hincks

  I was told to be prepared for his grades to be less than A's as the coursework was tough. I was told to be prepared for a child who may struggle with this new vigorous schedule. So I continued to pray for my son, especially when he asked for prayer the night before his first physics test. I was a proud mom when he told me he got a 96% on that test. My son has shown me that he is not only smart but tough. I was a proud mom when he said that he is handling the schedule quite well and is learning to manage his time.

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“Ocean separates lands, not souls..”
― Munia Khan

  This mom is learning to relax and let go of child number three as he is becoming a man. I am learning that him eating chips and not getting enough fresh fruit are small things compared to what he is conquering at the academy. He is proving to his mom that he can handle being an adult quite well. The other day a tree branch hit his forehead at cross country practice. He received several stitches but handled all the needed medical paperwork all by himself. My son will do well when he is stationed on a ship far away in the water for several months but will I be able to handle no phone calls or Facebook time? Will I be able to handle not seeing him in all the Merchant Marine Academy photos? I will cherish our time now and spoil him with boxes of healthy snacks through the mail. I will hug him tight when I see him during parents weekend this month. Most importantly I will keep praying for him every time I look at my wrist as see this nautical bracelet. The younger boys even wear one of these corded bracelets so they too can remember that soon they will see their bigger brother soon.



Many might not know that nautical rope bracelets have a long history which spans centuries. Started as a way for sailors to spend time on long journeys, braiding these accessories turned into a chance to show their skill. And the best way to do that was of course to wear it. These cord bracelets were also given as gifts to friends and relatives after returning from the sea.

Do you have a special military sailor in your life? 

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Use this link and Save 25% https://www.windpassion.net/ref/11/


These unique nautical bracelets make great gifts.



“I broke my heart in two
One half I slipped into your pocket
The other half I brought with me
Across the sea”

― Sabine Shah




23 comments:

Tamalyn said...

Oh, I feel so proud of him and I don't even know him! What an amazing young man you've raised there - he is for sure going to do great things in life. I especially love how he asked you to pray for him. So sweet and humble and handsome to boot. He looks a lot like you by the way.

Now, onto those bracelets! They are beautiful!!! What a lovely reminder that your loved ones will always stay close to your heart. I love how your other kiddos love to wear them too. Hope you have a lovely day!

Sarah Bailey said...

I bet it is hard when your child goes off into the military but something to be so very proud of as well.

Those bracelets are lovely as well - what a great idea.

Unknown said...

this must of been a very hard out of the nest experience, not only because he is your third but also hes leaving off to sea. you must be incredibly proud of your son. what a great way to honor your loved ones when they are not with you. :)

Unknown said...

You must be on an emotional whirlwind after he signed up for the marines. I know I would be, I wish him the best of luck when he goes off to sea!

JaxsonsMomJennie said...

Aww, congratulations to you and your son. I love this bracelet, it's a wonderful way to show off how proud you are of him. My husband is a Marine as well!

Janine said...

Congrats to your son. And props to you for being a military mom! I can't imagine how difficult that is. That bracelet is a lovely way to support him.

Unknown said...

Congratulations to your son & you must be a proud mom! Love the bracelet. I'm wearing a bracelet too, to remind myself of someone who's important to me :)

FaithHopeLove said...

I can imagine how tough it is for you to have your son leave.
I adore the bracelet and the meaning behind it. I will pray for you and your son as well.

Unknown said...

I am not a military spouse nor a military mom or marine mom but I am a mother and I understand what you feel to let go of your child and living their own. One thing for sure I know how proud you are as their mother, praying them is the best way that you can do. Congratulations to your son and those bracelet are really beautiful!

. said...

Congratulations! As a mother I can understand the hardship of seeing your child go off to the world. That is a lovely bracelet with a beautiful meaning.

Sundeep Bhatia said...

Roap bracelets. Whoa so creative. I am going to make some on my next trip to a beach destination.

Echo aka The Mad Mommy said...

I don't know if I will ever be a military mom, but I have so much respect for those that are! I love these rope bracelets and the meaning behind it for you.

Natalie Loves Beauty said...

That bracelet is so beautiful! You must be so proud of your children. Poor him getting hit by a tree branch like that, glad he is ok!

Mom Knows Best said...

he is ok. Thanks for asking

The Super Mom Life said...

Congratulations! I'm sure you are extremely proud of him.

Maysz said...

It's hard from the parents to moving their children into another place and I know Military is not an easy professional however I know someday or maybe in the another day you should proud of him :) thanks for sharing your wonderful story!

Hollie said...

Congrats to your son. Mt brother is a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy. He decided to go into the Navy and has loved it. Best of luck to your son and it's such a great program.

Unknown said...

I can't imagine how hard it must be for you, but how proud you must be at the same time. Your son must be so happy to have the opportunity to follow his dream

Mom Knows Best said...

Very cool to hear. My oldest son is in the Navy. The one at the Academy wanted to attend the Naval Academy but did not get in but he qualified as was on the waitlist.

Shabby Chic Boho said...

You have an amazing son and I know he gets it from his parents. I like those bracelets. I have family in the marines.

Dana Brillante-Peller said...

This must be a tough time for you, but I'm glad you shared your experience with us. Thank you.

Kiwi said...

I love nautical adornment. This is very unique and I love how this is unisex!

Unknown said...

Thanks for your inspiring post.. I have a son I suspect is headed to the military after ROTC. I will tuck this away until then... Thanks.

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