As a mom of five military kids, I’ve led my crew through countless first days of school, new classrooms, and bittersweet milestones across nearly two decades of my husband’s Marine Corps career. During six PCS moves, from preschools to high schools, East Coast, West Coast and overseas — I’ve lost track of the number of school buildings, teachers and mascots we’ve encountered. After 23 years, my husband retired from the military, and we’ve recently settled into our final school district. This fall, as my youngest graduates preschool and steps into kindergarten, it feels like a monumental moment and a bittersweet celebration. I’m reflecting on the wild ride of raising military kids and sharing tips to help other military spouses navigate school milestones with confidence.
Leaving a Lifestyle, Not a Job
On a drive to a spouse event, with a back seat full of babysitters (my tween daughter and a couple of her friends), I overheard them playing an exhilarating round of “What’s …
