Military

Are You a Military Mom Preparing for Boot Camp Life?

Is your son or daughter about to leave—or has recently left—for boot camp?

We know that military training isn’t just tough on the recruits—it’s tough on their families too. Especially for moms like you. The first few months of your child’s training can be an emotional rollercoaster, filled with uncertainty, pride, and stress. But you don’t have to go through it alone.

Military Moms on the Home Front

Whether your child is attending Officer Candidate School, ROTC indoctrination, a service academy’s Plebe Summer, or basic training, the experience shares one major challenge: little to no communication. Your child is enduring grueling physical and mental training, and as much as you want to support them, you may feel powerless.

This transition is life-changing—not just for them, but for you. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even lost. But just as your child is becoming a warrior, you too can become a warrior on the home front.

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Your Journey Starts Here

By understanding the bigger picture of military training and life beyond boot camp, you can gain the tools to navigate this new chapter with confidence. When challenges arise, you’ll be prepared—not just to cope, but to thrive.

"Every day is a new opportunity for growth and transformation."

At MotherProud, my team and I have created the Military Parenting A-Z Guide—a resource packed with practical advice to help you build resilience, find focus, and embrace this journey with strength.

What’s Inside the Military Parenting A-Z Guide?

This guide is designed by military moms, for military moms. We’ve walked this path ourselves, and we know the power of a positive mindset. Inside, you’ll find:

✅ Emotional Coping Strategies – Manage the ups and downs of military parenting.
✅ Finding Your Focus & Cutting the Clutter – Stay centered in the midst of change.
✅ A Roadmap for Resilience – Step into your new role with strength and pride.

"We can either struggle through this journey or embrace it with joy and courage—the choice is ours."

Take the First Step Today

This is more than just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to grow, to evolve, and to support your child in ways you never imagined. If you’re ready to make this transition a positive and empowering experience, let us help.

📩 Download the Military Parenting A-Z Guide by reaching out to us at support@motherproud.com.

You're not just a military mom—you’re a warrior on the home front. And you are not alone. 💙

Madelaine Waltjen Shedlick hoped that Maryland lawmakers can create a new waiver so the members of deployed services can be exempt from checking.

This Proud Marine Mom is happy so much and starts jumping when his son, Private First Class Ash calling for her name after coming home. In a skeptical way, she couldn't stop screaming and jumping in happiness.

Being a mother is tough, and being a military mom is even tougher. Your children decide to serve, and you can feel your heart going with them. The moment your child starts their journey to pursue their dreams, you are filled with pride, but not without nervousness. You have to sacrifice your peace in exchange for your child's dream of serving.

As a military mom, you know the struggle of celebrating holidays. So whether it's Mother's Day, Christmas, a birthday, or even just daily life, we have collected the perfect list of products and gifts for the strong military mother.

Personalized Embroidered Keychains

Keychains are a handy gift to help organize home keys, car keys, office keys, and more. Personalized keychains will stand out and showcase your pride and love for your service member.

Created by the owner and founder of Military Apparel Company, a veteran spouse, the high-quality keychains will be crafted with passion and the utmost attention to detail.

Graphic T-shirts

We think you’ll love our collection of tee shirts, because they showcase your support for your military children. We have many designs, styles, colors, and sizes representing each branch for you to choose from!

Face Masks

Recently the CDC has made new face mask recommendations as the Delta variant continues to spread. Because we’re wearing them again, it’s important to find one that you like. This is why we have added a collection of face masks for military moms, so that you can now display your pride in your service member while covering up.

Bumper Stickers or Decals

Bumper stickers and decals are also a great item that any military mom should have on their vehicle. A public reminder of your pride, they can even connect you to other military family members.

Jewelry Accessories

Wearing jewelry can be a stylish way to express love for your loved one. Our jewelry includes from necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more, and most of them are hand-crafted and high-quality. Also, if you are interested in personalization, we do that, too!

Drinkware

Decorative and personal drinkware can be a positive reminder of your children’s service. From ceramic mugs to tumblers, our drinkware has been designed specifically for you and your family.

Headwear

Not only does it provide protection against the sun, headwear is also a good way to show support and love for your children serving. When you want to wear a hat, we think it's best to wear one that makes you proud.

And much more

The list above is only the surface of all the products you can get as a military mom! With these items, you can show all your love and support for your children. If you're looking for any other types of items, please feel free to browse our collection list. We continue to update our products daily so that you will always have something to choose from. Happy shopping, and thank you for choosing to support our troops.

What Deployed Troops Really Want in Their Care Packages

As a show of appreciation and support for the men and women serving in the military, many people choose to send care packages to deployed troops. These packages can include a variety of items, ranging from non-perishable food and snacks to personal care products and entertainment.

But what do deployed troops really want in their care packages? According to a recent article from Veterans United, there are a few key items that tend to be highly sought after by those serving overseas.

Personal and Practical Items 

First and foremost, deployed troops appreciate practical items that can make their daily lives a little easier. This includes things like:

• High-quality socks (I have to put this first, because some high-quality socks will make the toughest soldier smile with delight)
• Soap (shampoo, body wash, face wash, etc.)
• Toothpaste, toothbrush and floss
• Deodorant (travel size/non-aerosol)
• Lip balm
• Foot powder
• Baby wipes
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer
• Pain-relieving topical cream (not a necessity, but can be a real luxury)
• Vicks VapoRub
• Hand Warmers
• Sewing kits
• Lens cleaning cloths

These items may seem small, but they can make a big difference in the harsh conditions that many deployed troops face on a daily basis.

Food and Snacks

Deployed troops also appreciate food items that are easy to store and don't require refrigeration.Non-perishable snack items like jerky, nuts, and energy bars are always popular, as are instant coffee and tea packets. Items like:

• Hot sauce (a great commodity to have around, and the convenience of Taco Bell sauce packets are great to have in the field)
• Water flavoring packets (many places we are deployed are very hot, and we need to constantly remain hydrated)
• Beef jerky
• Slim Jims
• Protein bars
• Gum
• Sunflower seeds

Downtime Activities

Entertainment items are also welcome additions to care packages. Books, magazines, and movies can provide a much-needed distraction from the stresses of deployment. Games and puzzles can also be a welcome break from the daily routine.

Some items to consider include:

• Reading material (magazines, books or an e-reader like a Kindle)
• Handheld video games
• Board games
• Decks of cards
• iPod or thumb drives with movies, music and pictures
• Puzzles
• Plastic model kits
• Baseball gloves/baseballs
• Batteries (AAs and AAAs)
• Pencils
• 3M wall hooks

Not everything is suitable for a care package

It's important to keep in mind that deployed troops often have limited space and resources, so it's best to stick with smaller, lightweight items when possible. And be sure to check with the specific guidelines for care package contents, as there may be restrictions on certain items. Here’s a few things to avoid:

• DON’T send adult entertainment, alcohol or drugs (these items are illegal and can get the soldier in trouble)
• DON’T send aerosols or pressurized products
• DON'T send firearms or ammunition (we're already armed and this is illegal)
• DON’T send perishable foods
• DON’T send an entire box of the same thing unless requested (variety is a good thing)

Overall, the most important thing is to show deployed troops that they are not forgotten and that their service is appreciated. A care package filled with practical, enjoyable items can go a long way in boosting morale and providing a little bit of home while they are serving overseas.