Raising Kids
Inside: Learn one phrase that will help your child get unstuck when a challenge shows up. If your child says, "I can't" or wants to quit, this is the best response. I took two sips of coffee, sat on the couch and immediately noticed my strong-willed child creeping down the stairs. The scowl on his face said it all. I’d been parenting [...]
DeploymentWhy I Stopped Preparing for My Service Member to Leave
If you could see my living room floor right now, mere hours before my husband leaves for an extended training mission, you might cringe. Sea bags leaning against the sofas, empty magazines piled up on the coffee table, extra blouses strewn across the floor—all hiding the cherry hardwoods underneath. Crossing into the kitchen requires [...]
MilSpouse Life7 Things No One Tells You About Being a National Guard Spouse
Inside: Being a National Guard spouse is a challenging and unique life. Learn 7 things I never expected when marrying a National Guard service member. The National Guard has been the conundrum of the military world since their establishment in 1636. Each state has a National Guard that’s governed by the governor of the state, not [...]
3 Powerful Words to Remember When Your Child Melts Down
We had just left Target. Three kids in tow, a basket full of items even though I swore I was only going for toothpaste and bread. We had made it through our whole trip almost unscathed. No tantrums in the aisles, no begging for toys. And we even had made it past the dreaded dollar spot. We got to the car, unpacked, I got all of my kids [...]
How to Prepare Your Child’s School for Deployment
Inside: Learn 4 simple ways you can prepare your military child's school for deployment. Improve support and keep strong relationships with teachers. Seabags and SAPI plates are strewn around your living room. All of the uniforms are being washed. You are scheduled out for the next few months so that everyone stays nice and busy. And [...]
Military ResourcesThe Emotional, Stressful and Exhausting Reality of a PCS Move
The longer we are active duty military, the more quickly and aptly I’m able to self-diagnose and articulate the funk I’m in. What it is this time, is something I have recently described as the Post-PCS Crash, also known as Complete Depletion. There is a process to arriving at this state of being, so I’ll explain. For the few weeks [...]
Mom LifeWhat If All I Want to Be Is a Good Enough Mom?
I hear the doorknob click and instantly I wake from my sleep. My oldest just opened his bedroom door and there’s a part of me—a part deep inside me that belonged to my 21-year-old-childless-self—that cringes. I turn to look at the clock as he crawls into bed next to me…5:03 am…geezus! It keeps getting earlier, and this is what I get [...]
7 Boot Camp Graduation Gifts That Will Make Your Service Member Smile
Inside: Best boot camp graduation gifts to share with your service member. Whether you're a military spouse, military girlfriend or family member, these gifts are perfect. Boot camp is no joke. A year ago, our family visited the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for the first time since my husband graduated boot camp 13 years [...]
The Most Powerful Way to Turn Sibling Rivalry Into Sibling Harmony
Inside: Are your kids more like jealous siblings than friends forever? Learn this powerful 3-part approach to help you respond to your kids' sibling rivalry and fighting. My heart leapt into my throat the moment I heard those words escape my son’s mouth and enter into the space between us. “I don’t like her. I never wanted a [...]
How to Prepare for Deployment as a Military Spouse…in 33 Steps
It never fails. Military life always throws some monkey wrenches into your life plans. Okay...a lot of monkey wrenches. If you want to prepare for deployment as a military spouse, you'll need a deployment binder. But more importantly, you'll want to practice and train just like you would a marathon or a hot dog eating contest. This is [...]
