Are YOU a military spouse?
Then you know how difficult deployments can be. More than anything, deployments can make you feel you are alone. You are not. Military deployments are difficult for all family members involved, some more than others, and that military life isn't as easy as some people may think.
If you'll give me a few minutes of your time, I'd like you to put yourself in a three-year-old's shoes. Below is a chapter from my book, My Blissful Life As a Submariner's Wife, titled When Daddy Comes Home. Please understand that this chapter is not a reflection of how I communicated to my children when their father went out to sea - my purpose for writing this chapter was to give just one example of how difficult it is for the military family, especially very young, dependent children, to adjust to their routine when daddy first goes to sea, then having to re-adjust when he returns.
*****
You're an only child and from day to day Mommy and Daddy are common figures in your life, hugging you, kissing you, and playing with you every day. You often do things together as a family, such as playing, adventuring, swimming, or going to the beach, and you really enjoy your time together. As you explore your world, the one thing you are certain of is you are loved.
Life is good.
Suddenly Daddy disappears one day and of course you're too young to understand why. The only thing you know is Daddy's gone and now, instead of being a part of a family of three, it's just Mommy and you, a family of two. Mommy is the one doing everything around the house, cleaning, cooking, and giving you a bath. If you're a lucky three-year-old, Mommy is able to be home with you all day, every day. Although you don't understand what's going on or why things have changed, you are comforted because Mommy is always there with you. Fortunately for everyone involved, since you're only three you adjust quickly to the unavoidable change in your family dynamics.
Have you enjoyed the above excerpt from My Blissful Life As a Submariner's Wife? If so, you can purchase a copy of the book here!
Then you know how difficult deployments can be. More than anything, deployments can make you feel you are alone. You are not. Military deployments are difficult for all family members involved, some more than others, and that military life isn't as easy as some people may think.
If you'll give me a few minutes of your time, I'd like you to put yourself in a three-year-old's shoes. Below is a chapter from my book, My Blissful Life As a Submariner's Wife, titled When Daddy Comes Home. Please understand that this chapter is not a reflection of how I communicated to my children when their father went out to sea - my purpose for writing this chapter was to give just one example of how difficult it is for the military family, especially very young, dependent children, to adjust to their routine when daddy first goes to sea, then having to re-adjust when he returns.
*****
You're an only child and from day to day Mommy and Daddy are common figures in your life, hugging you, kissing you, and playing with you every day. You often do things together as a family, such as playing, adventuring, swimming, or going to the beach, and you really enjoy your time together. As you explore your world, the one thing you are certain of is you are loved.
Life is good.
Suddenly Daddy disappears one day and of course you're too young to understand why. The only thing you know is Daddy's gone and now, instead of being a part of a family of three, it's just Mommy and you, a family of two. Mommy is the one doing everything around the house, cleaning, cooking, and giving you a bath. If you're a lucky three-year-old, Mommy is able to be home with you all day, every day. Although you don't understand what's going on or why things have changed, you are comforted because Mommy is always there with you. Fortunately for everyone involved, since you're only three you adjust quickly to the unavoidable change in your family dynamics.
Have you enjoyed the above excerpt from My Blissful Life As a Submariner's Wife? If so, you can purchase a copy of the book here!