Deployment is what I might call the second “D word” unique to military families, and unfortunately, a word we must at some point speak to our children. If you are like me, you struggle with how to go about this subject with your own kids, or if you should address it at all. It seems easier to try and float around the word with them, especially when they are young. “Daddy is on a work trip” is what I most often find myself saying, leaving out the part about where he is going or how long he will be gone. I wrestle with this each time… whether honesty or comfort is most important for them. But then I wonder, is it really comforting to them when we shield them from the truth? Even if the intent was to protect, when their dad still isn’t home months later, doesn’t this create unrest for them in the too-soft expectations we set? I think the answer is: It depends on age and what they are developmentally ready for. Below, I will break up our personal approaches based on age range.
Staying Connected Through the Distance
It goes without saying that staying connected to your spouse during separations takes effort on both parts. If you’re like me, and your love language is “quality time,” then you are in …
