Maintaining strong ties to your military family during deployment
You're far away, and it can be heart wrenching. But you're not alone; and today more than ever before, you have many ways to maintain a strong connection to your military family even while you're on military deployment.
There is a lot you can do to create easier military family connections, well before you come home, if you have created a plan to stay connected to your military spouse and children consistently, throughout the stay of your military deployment.
Staying connected through technology gets easier all the time; staying together in spirit takes more creativity and planning.
Technology first. The Internet, cell phones and more make those connections easier than ever. Beef up your cell phone plan and do the same for you internet service provider plan - get the most for your money, and when you're in the military, that can mean military discounts are available just for you, if you ask. Consider a webcam for face-to face calls. These good connections can make for good family vibrations that can make all the difference.
Keeping in contact with a deployed military spouse may take planning, with time differences and sketchy phone connections. But remember that while phone calls and internet access can be short and infrequent, even a minute can make a big difference.
Also, be sure to double check all contact information and have an emergency contact plan in place through the American Red Cross or Rear Detachment Commander.
But it will also take good family planning before a military deployment to help you take care of your mission, your family and yourself. By working as a team, you and your military family can succeed and thrive during your military deployment.
How to stay in control of your parenting when you're on military deployment? For the military spouse at home, it can be tempting to let kids "slack off" from maintaining house rule, out of guilt or to make up for the sadness over their separation from the military parent. But it's best to maintain the order of your household, because you'll want to enforce it again when your military spouse returns. Maintain bedtimes, limit junk food, whatever your house rules were before the military deployment, stick with it. Holding children responsible for household chores not only makes life easier for you, but it also gives them the pride of contributing.
How about the spouse left behind during military deployment? You're carrying an extra heavy load for awhile. Find organized military support groups that let you connect with other military families and spouses in similar situations. Most military installations have family centers that host events and recreational activities. The USO and the National Military Family Association have spouse programs, too. Online communities, such as CinCHouse.com, also offer a haven of support, allowing military spouses to share concerns and advice.
Time and love are your most valuable assets for keeping your military family connected and cared for during military deployment.
