Children in a museum

Spring Break Fun: Military Family Edition

Written By Tanecia Favors

Duty stations can be hit or miss, but whether you are planning a trip away or staying local for spring break, military families know how to make the most of every situation. I want to share the value of taking advantage of “local” entertainment and planning a few staycations.

When my family was stationed in Virginia, Washington, DC, was a day trip away. We spent many days exploring the state and visiting nearby areas. I like to think that we became long-term tourists in the places we called home, thanks to military orders. If we are lucky enough to have a week off during spring break, that makes it even better! Grab your pen, paper or phone, and let’s plan a week of family fun together.

First things first, I want you to dust off that duty station bucket list. Take a moment to review it and look for something you haven’t done yet, or perhaps something you think your family would want to do again. For my family, that would probably consist of a few touristy adventures and day trips exploring spots in the city or nearby areas. Maybe you could visit a museum, a park or catch brunch at a favorite restaurant you’ve been meaning to try. You could also head to that water park that is finally open for the season or let the kids pick what y’all do for the day. My teenager would 100% plan a day of sleeping in, brunch and hitting up arcades with his friends. Meanwhile, my 5-year-old would likely either be up before the sun, ready to head to a toy store or a children’s museum. My 3-year-old, of course, would love to go to the park. Luckily, being stationed in San Diego, there is no shortage of parks that fit the bill.

Museum

Don’t forget to visit your local MWR for discounted attraction tickets and to see if there are any events that are being held on the base that are family friendly. You might even stumble upon the base’s outdoor and party rental shop, which could help you check off that visit to a national park you’ve been meaning to explore. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go camping and roast marshmallows under a sky lit by stars so bright you feel like you could touch them? Hopefully, I have your planning wheels spinning, and you’ll spend your days making core memories. Until next time, y’all!

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of recreation and travel resources tailored to your needs.

Children posing in front of pumpkins at commissary

How To Find Healthy, Affordable Food as a Military Family

Written By Lizann Lightfoot

As the spouse of an enlisted Marine raising five children in high-cost-of-living Southern California, I quickly learned that groceries were going to be a major part of our household budget. On our first night checking into housing at Camp Pendleton, I went off base into Orange County to pick up ingredients for a simple pasta dinner with salad and garlic bread. When our ten items rang up over $100, I nearly cried. I later learned that I had made the rookie mistake of going to “the nice grocery store,” an expensive local chain known for organic produce and high-quality meat.

Over the next few years, I had to get creative to feed my growing family. Sure, I wanted to provide healthy meals and good nutrition. I also wanted to have money left in our account each time my husband got paid! It can be challenging to balance your food budget, but with some planning, it is possible to feed your family well without breaking the bank. Here are some strategies that have worked for my family and can help you maintain a healthy food budget.

  1. Shopping at the commissary. The motto of the commissary is, “It’s worth the trip!” If you live off base, going to the commissary might feel inconvenient, but the extra mileage is worth it to save on your weekly grocery bill. At our second duty station, when we lived in town, I often alternated between the national chain grocery store and the base commissary, filling a similar shopping cart at each location. The same food that cost me $100 per week at the commissary cost $20 more at the national chain — a 20% increase! This can lead to significant savings over time. While most military families know you must shop at a variety of stores to maximize all deals and coupons, commissaries do offer discounts on a range of items, from fresh produce to pantry staples. Make it a habit to do your primary grocery shopping at the commissary, taking advantage of special promotions.
  2. Buying in bulk. Another clear way to save money is by purchasing items in bulk from wholesale clubs. With locations nationwide, you can usually find one wherever you PCS. Memberships to these clubs can be a worthwhile investment, especially for non-perishable items, household goods, cleaning supplies and frequently used ingredients. Buying in bulk reduces your cost per item and ensures you won’t run out of essentials. This approach is particularly helpful for large families, like mine. We go once a month to stock up, then freeze or store what we can’t use immediately. Just make sure you have storage space in your tiny on-base quarters!
  3. Applying for WIC benefits. Many enlisted families are eligible for this government assistance program, especially if you are pregnant or have multiple children under 5 years old. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides vouchers for purchasing nutritious foods. This is not a military program, but you can often learn more at the base family center. If you qualify for WIC, you can use your vouchers at grocery stores or farmers markets, allowing you to buy healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and beans. These vouchers really helped us maximize nutrition on a budget!
  4. Planning ahead. No matter where you choose to shop, you can keep your grocery budget under control with meal planning. Before heading to the grocery store, I usually plan my meals for the week and create a shopping list based on those ingredients. I plan around proteins and veggies, so we get good variety. Sticking to the list helps me avoid impulse purchases so I only buy what I need. To really stretch your budget, look for store coupons or discounts on specific items and plan your menu around those.
  5. Being creative with free food. Sometimes, local charities or churches offer free food on base. While these donations are well-intentioned, they don’t always include healthy options. Try to supplement with nutritious items from your own shopping. For example, if you receive canned vegetables, consider using them in soups or stews with fresh ingredients to boost their nutritional value. Canned tuna can be added to salads or whole grain rolls for a healthy meal. Canned beans can be added to ground beef to make tacos go further.

Kitchen counter with food

Ultimately, feeding your family healthy, nutritious food on a budget requires an intentional effort. Use available resources, plan ahead and be open to new ideas.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month, take the time to look at your food budget and explore new ways to provide your family with wholesome, affordable meals. Remember, you are not alone in this journey — many military families face similar challenges. Together, we can support each other in making healthy choices affordable for all.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of health and wellness resources and tools tailored to your needs.

Young girl in kayak

Summer Is Coming, What’s the Plan?

Written By Kristi Stolzenberg

My office is still illuminated by the warm glow of twinkling lights on my Christmas tree. It’s Februaryfreezing outside — and not just by coastal North Carolina standards. The fridge calendar is set to June, and I’m juggling 47 tabs — dance, theater, sports and camps — trying to fit everything into our schedule.

When our summer isn’t consumed by moving, there are a lot of weeks to occupy, especially if your kids are like mine and cry boredom within the first 48 hours of having nothing to do, and you, like me, are tethered to a full-time job.

In the places we’ve lived, if you start to think about summer camps once it feels like a reasonable time (any time after spring allergies kick in), you’ve probably missed the boat. You’ll be left stuck with the bottom-of-the-barrel three-hour camp that’s a 30-minute drive away (plus traffic), starting an hour into your workday and requiring you to be back for pickup three hours later — not ideal.

We’ve trudged through all scenarios when it comes to summer activities for the kids:

  • Skipping activities entirely because we’re moving
  • Registering last-minute for anything available, just to help our kids make friends before school starts
  • Choosing minimal activities and spending the summer traveling
  • Enrolling in evening activities, leaving us with a bored dancer all day and parents scrambling to figure out dinner before 9 p.m.

Mom and children smiling in car

Young girl in sunglasses

I think that about covers it. We’ve never really gotten it right, which is why I’m sprawled on my office floor in fuzzy socks, under the glow of the Christmas tree, with tabs open, calendars poised, and a plan taking shape in February. You may feel that rush of anxiety, thinking you’re too late. I won’t make promises, but I’ll just say, “maybe not.” Here’s my advice to you today.

  1. Get the academic calendar for the next school year and track the last day of this school year.
  2. Mark key dates and immovable commitments (vacations, move dates, doctor appointments, family visits, etc.).
  3. Reach out to other parents to find out where and when their kids will be attending camps or classes (unless you’re new in town).
  4. Set a realistic budget for summer activities.
  5. Explore options at local schools, colleges, sports leagues, gyms, dance studios, theaters and outdoor businesses (YMCA, boating, fishing, hiking, surfing, horseback riding, etc.).
  6. Eliminate any options that conflict with your immovable dates.
  7. Present the remaining options, including the suggestions from other parents, and let your kids choose a few that fit your budget.
  8. Once you’ve agreed, book the activities and let friends’ parents know (more kids, more carpooling and a happier planet).

Young boy on beach

A Word for Those Not Registering for Summer Camps

I’ll admit, sometimes summer camps are more trouble (and expense) than they’re worth. Honestly, they were not the norm for me growing up. Even if you aren’t planning on camps or classes this summer, it’s still a great time to plan the next few months. Are you planning a vacation or a PCS? Don’t forget to book hotels and find activities at your destination. Staying put? Find local activities to avoid summer boredom. Maybe it’s a reading goal, a weekly family game night, extra responsibilities around the house, visiting a new local attraction, or making sure your teen secures a summer job or volunteer position.

Summer will be here before we know it. Routines will shift, and this is our chance to shape them so summer feels like time well spent for the kids and the parents, who are often playing taxi.

Blog Brigade unites military spouses by creating a community built on shared experiences and mutual support. Navigating the complexities of military life can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Military OneSource offers valuable resources focused on well-being, readiness, and connection. Explore a range of parenting resources and tools tailored to your needs.

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