How To Explain To My Son I’m Leaving

I’m destroyed right now. I’m recently divorced, and currently in the USMC. I’m getting deployed on October 1st for 6 months. I have 50/50 custody with their mother, and I’ve told all my kids but my oldest son. He’s the only boy out of the bunch. He’s 16. They will be with their mother during the whole time, and he’s the only one who doesn’t know yet. His older sisters, my daughters, are really scared that’ll this will really destroy him because lately he’s just been going through a lot. I have an amazing relationship with my boy, and I just can’t get around telling him without tearing up. Last time I got deployed I made a promise personally to him that I would be home on the exact date, and not be hurt. I was off 2 months, and almost died. Mom said that she can’t explain this to him, and I agree. He’s just a really sensitive kid, unlike all the others. He’s super smart, very skinny, and just a wonderful kid. This is just so hard for me because I fucking love this kid so much. He gets bullied at school because he’s girly, and his sisters always have to stand up for him. He’s leaving tomorrow to go to moms, and I’m going to have to tell him then. Him, and his four sisters, and me are going out to get breakfast. I’ve invited mom too, and she’s coming. Me and his mother have dangerous professions. Moms a cop, and with me being in the military causes great worry for him. I’ve tried using the whole “I do this so other daddy’s can see their kids in safety” but he just responds with “I don’t wanna lose my dad”. He’s not dumb either, a politics, video game, book nerd. I don’t think I can face him telling this. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2QMEBdc