Dear Deployment Diary,
Season: Departure
Here you are once again. The time has come to wipe the tears, push my shoulders back, and endure you. I have little ones at home and they need a strong parent. But what do I do when I don’t feel strong? What do I say when I have no words of wisdom for my 8-year-old who has so many questions? Do we really know the perfect words to say?
When my service member and I moved to Fort Carson back in 2011, it was our first duty station, and we had no idea what to expect. Fortunately for us, we soon found a gem of a program offered through Army Community Service that got us through potty training, tantrums, and so much more.
No matter where you’re headed or currently stationed, the ACS Family Nurturing Program is something you should check out. Does free child care and kid-free adult interaction sound good to you? Great!
For the entire month of February, my family and I took off to my parents’ house for 25 days. Now, mind you, my family consists of an 8-month-old infant and two 50-pound dogs, and my parents’ house is definitely only built for three grown adults and zero animals. It’s been a challenge, but we’re making it work.
If I could travel back in time and tell my newlywed self something, it would be this: “He’s only on loan.”
My 26th year is shaping up to be a big one as we prepare to welcome twins into our family halfway through it! With the thought of becoming a first-time mom to two babies at one time, I’ve been reflecting on the 26 life lessons I’ve learned in my short life that I’d happily pass along to them as they grow older in our home.
Dear Stranger,
You may look at me with three small children on my own and wonder why I look so disheveled. I’m holding their little hands and trying to navigate them through a new activity in a new building that I’ve only seen once. I look and feel every bit clueless, but I’m trying so hard to be brave so my children know to follow suit.
Mission: Milspouse is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN Number: 88-1604492
hello@missionmilspouse.org
P.O. Box 641341
El Paso, TX 79904