How hard was leaving your newborn home for BCT?

PVT, I can relate to the feeling as I left my children a few times for the Army. It hasn't gotten easier with each time, missed holidays, birthday, dance recitals, graduations and more with family. I just remind myself - get through the suck and get home to them. I know it sounds cliche to say this, but the quickest way to get back to them is to work your ass off, get through training and get home. it is a mind set.

One thing that I did to help was I took only one family photo with me, a small wallet size. I kept it in a small pocket bible as a place marker, and every time I wanted to see my family, I had to open that bible. I still carry this with me today, same bible, same photo. It is all a mind set.

Best of luck soldier!

Every last one of my three kids was one year old or less for one of my deployments. So allow me to offer some advice, if I may:
When they are very small, they won't remember that daddy is away. He/she won't hold it against you.
What they will miss is the interaction. Your smell, the sound of your voice, playing with them. This lasts, as they reach for mommy for everything at what seems to be your expense.

Talk to the baby, with video if you can, as often as training and rules allow. Make sure the baby has a toy or stuffed animal that smells like you. Record yourself reading the baby a bedtime story, then pick right up and read them in person when you return home.
Make sure you fortify mommy with the knowledge that you are gone because you have to be, but when you return, you will joyfully jump back in and help... even on diaper duty.

You will never get this time back. It is one of my few regrets of service that my children bore this cost. Make it less impactful, if you can, that you are absent.

Hardest thing I had ever done. Left home when my daughter was 9 mos old. Next time I saw her she walked across the room to me.