countrymouse thats awful for you all as you said he has given up his job and won't have any money for the next month that in itself is bad enough but to have psyched yourselves up for sunday only to be told a few days before that he isnt going must be devastating for you all. I can't imagine how it must feel, this is some rollercoaster and he hasn't even gone, I'm gutted for you all xx

Originally Posted by upncomingjs

thanks mummy alls well that ends well they say.thanks for that lynny,i would rather he take one but do you think anyone else will take one as i don`t want him looking a fool if he`s the only one taking it.also does he need to take basic first aid kit and hand washing powder. oh so many questions

Hi
I dont think many took ironing boards because you can buy then at the Spar. My daughter did take a basic fitst aid kit (blister plasters a must)
He can buy washing powder at Spar but my daughter took it back with her when she was on leave as i think the spar is expensive.

Please ask away if theres anything else i can help you with.

Originally Posted by Madre-Mia

me too jacksmum, been packing today and he is in a right mood, had to bite my tongue and not shout at him. I think its just nerves, he wouldnt say if he was nervous , tooo coooool for that. At least when they are there on Sunday they will all be in the same boat. ........... its his last day at home today and last time he will see his dad until passing in (I just hope he snaps out of his mood). xxx

I remember my daughter going quiet and when asked she explained that she felt anxious and worried. It is a huge and mature step that they are taking especially when they are so young. Im not sure that at my age I would be able to take that step.
Im sure once there he will soon settle.

lynny. x

wow ,so much going on,I cant keep up,good luck every one for Sunday starting that new unknown journey.
Countrymouse,does your lads ,careers office, not have him on a reserve list,so sad to say but there is quite a lot that drop out in the first couple of weeks,if I was you I would mention this to them,it just might be worth a go,and then keep bantering them every day for any imput.Ironing boards,why is it I have the same one for the last 23 years and my 2 sons have had numerous,LOL.They all tend to go as a platoon and buy the whole batch of ironing boards,surley the shops are used to this by now .

Originally Posted by chrsalg

Hi I am new to this forum and have been watching and reading post's over the last few weeks as that is how long it has taken me to read 144 pages lol. My son left for Atr Bassinbourn last Sunday 23rd Aug, as soon as he got there the guy he travelled with wanted to come home, after talking with the people there his mum was allowed to buy him a plane ticket, and the lad went home, this then put my son off as he was he only one from Northern Ireland and he knew absolutley no-one it was very hard to talk him into staying. He now has just finished his first week and most of those days have been trying to talk him out of coming home, he is 18 and has never been out of Belfast by himself and has been very sheltered so a week is an enormous step for him. I do hope he sticks it out. He has been talking to a few of my husbands mates (who where all in the army together and have stayed in touch.) and this seems to have helped him alot, I have also picked up alot of advice from this forum that i can give to him. It has been extremly hard for me as he is my first born and it was hard to see him go, I love getting the phone calls from him but I also dread them as I dont know what to say when he says he has had enough and wants to come home. My husband always seems to get through to him though and tells him he has only just got there and to give it a few more days. Thanks very much for letting me ramble on and I will continue to post and let people know how he is getting on. Once again thanks to evey one on this forum for the advice and some of the post's I will surely be passing on to my son.

Hi if I can help in anyway then please let me know, my Son also my first born and 17 when he went, also went to Bassingbourn he is passing out this Friday after 14 weeks of training. Any questions or support I can offer then please contact me. Please be assured that all of us have had the same feelings as yourself especially when they first leave home it is so hard and the slightest thing can set you off crying, but as everyone advises it does get easier. Just keep reminding him when he phones how proud you all are of him. You should recieve a letter off him soon (anything like my Son, and most of here it will be the only letter your get off them because they have to send it, he he), But the mobile phones are a fab way of keeping in contact as the weeks go by he will be able to contact you more especially once he gets into routine. Enjoy the family day - which is usually about after week four. Good luck

Hi all,

Blimey, miss a day on here and it all happens!!!!!!! Wow!!

First off, good luck to all those starting AFC Harrogate on Sunday. My JS goes back to Harrogate on Saturday to help see all the 'newbies' in on Sunday. He started at AFC(H) in January 09 and will be Passing Out in December, so if I can help in any way, please shout.

Secondly, good luck to all those starting their Phase 2 training. Hopefully, now we've all got each other for support, it won't seem quite so bad for us Mums and Dads.

Thirdly, if anyone needs to know how to teach ironing over the telephone please don't hesitate to ask!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Long story, and you'd have to read back a long way lol).

Just keep doing what you're all doing ....... supporting your lads and lasses on an enormous new adventure in their lives and ours too. They all get their 'down' times and that's the time to keep on with the positives and how well they've done. I can remember the first time my son's locker got 'trashed' .............. he was devastated!!!!!!!!!! Now they all work as a team and help each other. Mine gets everyone's boots!!! It works for them lol.

Stay strong but understand it's ok to cry and have 'down' days ourselves. And yes, you Dads, I know it's just dust but there's alot of it about!!! lol We are just being honest to ourselves. Come on here and pour it all out and there's always someone to lend a friendly ear, a virtual hug and advice.

Rose xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS, instead of a virtual ironing lesson, I could always offer you a virtual cup of tea and a biscuit!!!!!!!!! :D

Originally Posted by kevconway1

We are off to the family day at larkhill on saturday and really looking forward to it

Do all phase 2 establishments have a family day?

Hi... how I wish Ihad found this site weeks ago...
My son is off to Hrrowgate on sunday - PWRR

It has been his dream for years to join. He has just had his 17th birthday and I guess that will make him one of the oldest in his intake.

We have had no kit list at all so have found this very useful.

Does anyone know the dates of their pass in and out parades?

He is so excited and can't wait for sunday...where as I prefer to have him home for a bit longer..

O dear Country mouse you must be gutted, and so must your son such a disappointment, they build them selves up to going and just to be let down like that is not right. After I was shedding bucket loads of tears this morning and feeling sick with worry he phoned this evening and we could not get a word in edge ways he sounded 100% better. Talking about the gym and how good he feels and what they are doing over the next few days, brilliant. But I know he is going to have another off day mabe tomorrow, and I will be ok when he does I will just remind him of how he felt today. The parents day is on his 19th birthday he said it is only for a few hours, I live in Belfast and its a bit expensive to try to get over, especially for just a few hours I will have to look into it even if his daddy is the only one to go over at least that would be something, as I also have a 9 year old and and a 16 year old. Rose thanks for the offer of tea and biscuits I would love one. lol

I am so glad I have found this forum thanks very much it warms my heart to know that people I dont even know share there woes there advice and their love and it is returned :D

Originally Posted by mumof3

Hi... how I wish Ihad found this site weeks ago...
My son is off to Hrrowgate on sunday - PWRR

It has been his dream for years to join. He has just had his 17th birthday and I guess that will make him one of the oldest in his intake.

We have had no kit list at all so have found this very useful.

Does anyone know the dates of their pass in and out parades?

He is so excited and can't wait for sunday...where as I prefer to have him home for a bit longer..

passing in is 16th October, but dont know when passing out is, i think we get all the dates on sunday... xx