MilSpouse Life
The house was calm for the first time in a few weeks. It felt weird. My military kids were playing together on the living room floor with all of their army toys for kids we purchased to help them cope with their daddy being away. I was plopped on my ottoman with my hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee. In the weeks prior, things were [...]
Military Kids
What to Do When You Feel Lonely in Military Life
My husband is gone a lot for work. This is the military life we chose. We both accepted the responsibility of this choice, and we are more than willing to see it through. However being apart, as a family, is met with a very hefty set of challenges. Sometimes I feel like a lonely military wife. There is a stillness in the house during [...]
How to Respond When Your Military Child Feels Anxious
I watched the military child stand next to his daddy in uniform. He was saying goodbye that day. Simply by looking at him, you could tell this little boy utilized every ounce of effort to appear brave. Taking short guppy breaths, two tears rolled down his cheek and onto his red t-shirt. He wore a look that begged anyone to stop the [...]
Best Holiday App for Military Kids Far From Family
My in-laws were just here Japan for two weeks visiting us. During their visit, they met our newborn daughter for first time. These are the moments everyone appreciates when you live far from family. The moments where you build relationships and connection. The moments where you share laughs and giggles together. It’s special. It’s also [...]
Military Kids and Homecoming: How to Ease the Transition
Every military child is unique and responds differently to the life changes accompanying military life. As a parent, this makes things extra challenging. You may find yourself wondering how your child will transition after your service member returns home from deployment. Will the reunion go well? Will it be challenging? Moreover, what [...]
Best Toys and Resources for Military Kids During Deployment
Beyond parenting military kids during a deployment, there are tons of toys, products and resources that can offer that little bit of extra support. As I recently shared, I frequently get questions about how to best help military kids during a deployment both on my Facebook page and via email. A huge thank you to all the military spouses [...]
Best Tips for Parenting Military Kids During Deployment
Parenting military kids during deployment presents a unique set of challenges. Readers often message me via my Facebook page or email asking for help and a list of deployment parenting strategies for military kids. To be honest, I'm far from expert myself as our son is just old enough to really sense the impact of daddy being gone. *post [...]
DeploymentWhat a 2 Year Old Will Teach You About Surviving Deployment
My husband left not too long ago on another military deployment, and we are in the season of separation. I wish I could say that it gets easier. It doesn’t. When my husband left this time around it was tough. Saying goodbye pregnant with a two-year old in tow has a way of pulling at the heartstrings. Our apartment felt a bit lonely. [...]
How to Help Kids Feel at Home After a PCS Move
Moving with kids is a difficult transition. Even if you spend your days cross-checking a moving overseas checklist or a regular PCS checklist, moving remains a big life change. When we moved to Japan, it took our son a good month to fully transition back to normal everyday life. Between night-waking and behavioral issues, I know the move [...]
5 Reasons the Heartache of Deployment is Painful After Kids
Nothing makes me cry like a baby more than when my husband says goodbye to our son before deployment. During our last separation, my husband left quietly before dawn. My son and I still sleeping soundly in our own beds, we were oblivious to his stealth disappearance. After waking that morning, the shock of it all hit me. He was gone on [...]
