My recruiter said I have to give up custody of my baby for 9 weeks to my mom to finish my training for the army and I…

Yeah I know what you mean I was in the process of rejoining the Navy but I don't think I could give up custody of my son

I couldn't do that. I can't be away from my baby

You don't give up custody. It's called a family care plan. You have a temporary power of attorney and all other care arrangements written out. Your mom will be your child's temporary guardian until you finish training. Once you go to your duty station you will be able to have your child with you but you will have to keep your family care plan current, that way if you deploy or have to go to some training or what have you, the military knows that you have a person to take care of your children. It is very hard to be away from them but the benefits make it worth while. Especially if you're a single mother, which I am assuming you are if you're needing a family care plan.

I was a single mom at 16 and by time I was 21, I was newly divorced and a single mom of 2 that didn't even have a ged. I got my GED, joined the army, did my time, receive benefits for the rest of my life now, and received my bachelor's in business. My kids are well provided for and I owe it all to my time in service. Like I said, it is very hard to be away from them, but how much harder will it be when you're always away bc you're working at least 2 jobs and always working weekends and holidays bc you're trying to make ends meet for your children

@2-mommies, I'm not a single mother and don't "need" a family care plan. My boyfriend works full time. And it may have been that way for you, but not me. Their asking that I flat out give her custody. And I'll get it back once I'm done with training. They've done it with all my peers who've had children. I'm also not trying to make ends meet or working 2 jobs.. I'm not struggling at all lol. The army is something I wanted to do, not needed to do.

@infamousmama_ wasn't trying to assume anything or offend you. Was just giving you my experience

@2-mommies, you didn't offend me at all. Lol. You did however assume. As you stated your "assuming I'm a single mother" and it's hard to be away from my baby but it's "easier than working 2 jobs and being away weekends and holidays to make ends meet for my baby". But it's totally ok! Lol. You didn't know. But I'm a first time mom, and me and my child's father are together and living together. He just works full time. So we're both gonna be Away way too much. He works in another city. :/

I only assumed you were single bc when married the army doesn't require a family care plan is all. And as far as the two jobs and what not, I was just saying how the army helped me in that aspect. That sucks that he works in another city and being gone too much. It's always hard to be away from our kiddos. Especially our first one 😢 I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on your little bundle of joy.

@infamousmama_ If you have any time I'd love to talk, I'm a first time mom and I'm looking to join the Army in a few months. My husband's a Reserve but I want to go active. I haven't been able to find any other moms joining or already in the military, it's just mainly spouses.

@emily526, hey mama, I'm gonna message you my number!

@infamousmama_ Awesome thank you so much!