Dec
20
Mentally Prepare the Kids
December 20, 2009 | 1 Comment
0216 by Cia de Foto
Photo Credit: Cia de Foto
Kids are pretty smart and if you have gone through one deployment you know the perils of explaining that one of the household is not going to be around for a while. The thing is, in most cases if you begin preparing a child for the inevitable they will handle it much better with more time to discuss what is happening.
A few months, even six months prior to the deployment, you should begin sitting down with your child(ren) and discussing the schedule of deployment and that daddy or mommy is going to go to serve their country for a little while but will be back. This leaves time for questions and answers, such as worries they may have about safety, how long, what you are doing, if you will be able to write, things like sending videos home, etc.
And while this will never completely prevent tears during temporary farewells, it will make it easier for children than a two week notice of ‘daddy/mommy’s have to go! You won’t even notice I’m gone’ and then the disappearing act.
It will be reassuring to hear that your service member is going to come back, how long they will be gone and things like communication schedules for kids a bit older and how rules, responsibilities and roles will change.
Give time for questions, give time to let it sink in, let them help in the packing process, and let them in.
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So true. We use the same method on our kids. They know, they really do. It helps when we prep them. They have time to ask their dad questions and he has time to remind them everything will be just fine. Good advice.