Early in my marriage to my Marine, I was given advice to always “keep a stiff upper lip” no matter what challenges we faced. In hindsight, I realize that was unsustainable advice …
Topic: Managing Stress
Let It Go: Holiday Edition
For the first time ever, I’ll be enjoying Christmas Eve free from assembling toys, wrapping gifts, tiptoeing around my own house and staying up way past my bedtime. This is the first …
Navigating College Admission Letters
Soon, college letters will hit students’ inboxes and reveal what’s ahead for the next few years. It’s an emotionally confusing time for everyone, mixed with pride, wistfulness, excitement and anxiety. One way …
Being Resilient Is More Than Being Strong
The word “resilience” is a dirty word in the military community. Too often, it’s used as an unhelpful band-aid to cover the challenges of military life. Military spouses are told it will …
Military Life on the Outskirts
I knew it was in the works, so it was absolutely not a surprise when my husband copied me on an email about a U.S. Marine Corps separation brief. But, in the …
What I Learned When I Left My Service Member Home With the Kids
For the past two decades, while my husband was serving in the Marine Corps infantry, I spent a lot of time taking care of our five children by myself. We were never …