deployment MilitaryShoppers Page 5

When Deployment Is the Reason Mom or Dad Won’t Be Home for the Holidays

12/04/2015 By Julie Provost

The holidays are coming and you are supposed to be getting excited about the season, however, this year, your spouse is not going to be there. They are going to be on a deployment or away on training.

When Deployment Is the Reason Mom or Dad Won't Be Home for Christmas

It may be hard for your child to understand why their parent is on a deployment during the holidays.

Many military families have been through this. For us personally, my husband has missed quite a few holidays because he has been deployed or had to be away from us for different reasons.

As soon as you know that your spouse will be deployed for the holidays, you need to make a plan to tell your kids. If they are very young you might not have to say much if anything at all. Just do what you would normally do.

If they are older and can understand what is going on, let them know that a parent will be gone because of a deployment. Explain to them that the parent who has to be away because of the deployment wants to be there for the holidays but they will not be able to. Share how much they will miss being home during that time.

Help the child understand that the deployment is the reason the parent will be gone and not because they don’t want to be there.

Plan to decorate and celebrate, even if your spouse isn’t home this holiday season.

If there is a small chance that your spouse might make it home in time, don’t tell your children about that. Planning to surprise them later with the news that the deployment is over would be better than having to tell them that their mom or dad will not be there after you told them they would be.

After you have told your children you should decide what you will do during the holidays when your spouse is deployed. Some people decide to visit family. I was able to do this one year and being with family made that time during the deployment a lot easier on me and my son.

If you can not visit family, maybe you can have someone come to you. Ask your family to see if anyone is willing to come if they do not offer. They might not realize how much being there would be able to help you during the deployment.

Another option is to find friends to spend the day with who are also in the middle of a deployment. We did this with my husband’s second deployment. He was going to be gone for Christmas so I made a plan with a few of my friends. We had Christmas at our own homes and then met at a friend’s house to make a Christmas meal together. That way, we were not alone, our kids would have other children to play with and being with others helped us not dwell on the fact that our husbands were deployed. The day went well and we all had a great time.

If your spouse is going to be gone for the whole holiday season you should still plan to decorate and celebrate as much as you can.

Some parts of the holiday will be different. You might not make a big meal and you won’t be able to play Santa together but keeping a lot of the same traditions as you normally do each year is important for the kids. You don’t want them to feel like they are missing out on everything just because their mom or dad is deployed.

Try to keep your spirits up during this time. Remember that the deployment will be over eventually and you can always have a belated celebration then. Do the best you can to make the holidays great for you and your children even if your spouse is gone on a deployment.

What are your tips for talking to your children about deployment during the holiday season?

Pets Feel the Separation During the Deployment Too

11/16/2015 By Rachel Tringali Marston

We’ve all heard (and most likely experienced) it before: “Deployments suck.” I might even sound like a broken record at this point.

There are so many different types of stress that can occur when a service member is on deployment or away. But, we often forget about the effect of separation between service members and their beloved pets.

Think about it this way, a deployment or separation is a difficult challenge for all family members. Don’t we all consider our furry, four-legged companions a part of the family?

It’s almost a given for dogs to be very attached to their human counterpart. Did you know that cats can suffer from separation anxiety too?

Felines express it differently, especially because a lot of cats are extremely independent already. Well, leave it to my cat to be the exception to the rule. She is very attached to both my husband and myself. We got her as a kitten when she was about 8 months old. My husband was actually the first of the two of us to hold her.

When Your Pet Feels Separation Anxiety During a Deployment

My husband and Xena.

Since I work from home, I see her a lot more. When 4 to 5 p.m. rolls around, she’s waiting by the door for my husband to arrive. It’s actually really cute.

But, when my husband has TDYs, she stays waiting at the door and it breaks my heart! I can only imagine how she would react during a deployment.

Most pets are sociable creatures and love companionship, whether they are a dog or cat. I believe they can miss and even care for you. Our cat Xena does so by “grooming” or snuggling with us, which can get a little weird at times. Everything said is why it’s important for us to consider our family pets as well as all the other humans in your household that go through a deployment. There are some relatively simple things that can help our furry family members cope with their service members’ absences.

Rewarding your pet is a good way to help their attitude during a deployment.

First, when we know he will be leaving for an extended amount of time, my husband makes sure he spends extra time with her. We call for her and pet her as much as possible.

Then when my husband is away, I mimic the same exact activities that my husband does with Xena. He’s pretty much the person that plays with her everyday with her favorite toy. When he’s away, I grab the toy and play with her until she starts panting and is tired. Keeping to routine is important.

Afterwards, I feed Xena her absolute favorite treats, which I’ve mentioned before, are Purina Whisker Lickin’s Crunchy Tuna Treats. Seriously, she absolutely loves them. My husband feeds her 3 nibblets following a play session. Rewarding your pet is a good way to help their attitude and as a result provide a positive environment for them.

It’s also a benefit to keep your pet distracted and socializing with others. If you have a pup (and if you’re brave with a cat), take them outside for plenty of walks and trips around town at places that are pet friendly.

For service members that need extra help during a deployment, there are organizations out there to assist when deployment orders get drawn and you have no one to watch your pet. Dogs on Deployment is a wonderful group that matches your pet with a loving home for them to board. The organization also considers cats too! Boarding your pet eases the stress of separation by giving them another home to live in the meantime. It also eases the stress for service members as they go through deployment and gives them peace of mind.

Don’t forget about the service member too! I send plenty of pictures of Xena to my husband when he’s away, so he can keep up with what’s going on at home. It’s a great way to keep them interacting with the family no matter where they are.

I can’t end this without sharing some of my favorite pet reunions! I’m a little particular to the unlikely one between a service member and his cat here.

But, you can never go wrong with dogs and their special service member companion here.

What are your tips to help pets feeling separation anxiety during a deployment?

Why His Deployment Is the Right Time to Earn Your College Degree

08/28/2015 By Kimber Green

Tips for Getting Your College Degree During His Deployment

Your service member’s deployment may be right time for you to start taking college classes.

You’ve been thinking about going back to school for a while now and your spouse just deployed. What are you waiting for?

Deployment is a great time to earn a college degree.

We’re all busy with family, work, volunteering and just life in general, which can put higher education on the back burner. If getting a degree truly is important to you, don’t put it off any longer.

Ask yourself a few questions and follow these tips to start working toward a college degree while your service member is away.

What type of learning environment suits your needs best?

Start by deciding if you would benefit most by going to a traditional college, an online program or a school that offers both in person and online classes. Is it feasible to make the commute to campus? Are you disciplined enough to take classes online and study on your own? What kind of experience are you looking for? Some people thrive in the classroom interacting with the professor and other students while some prefer to do it all on their own.

Do you want to go to a two-year or four-year college?

Community colleges offer associate degrees through a two-year program. Many students start at these schools, because they cost less and then transition to a four-year school to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Research colleges thoroughly.

Don’t limit your options to the college closest to you or exclude one you think might be too expensive. You might miss a great school that way. Widen your search and see what each school has to offer then you can determine if it is a match for what you want. Make sure the college you choose offers the program you want in the timeline you are looking for.

Browse through the school’s alumni directory to see what graduates have done with their degrees. Are there many listed in the field you are interested in? Read the school’s testimonies and search social media to see students’ perceptions of the college.

Decide on a major.

While you don’t need to decide on a major before you begin classes, it is helpful to have an idea of the area in which you want to pursue. You can take a few classes without declaring a major or simply register for general studies and many students change their majors multiple times.

College is expensive. Don’t forget to apply for scholarships for military spouses.

One thing to consider though, you may end up taking extra classes, which means your college degree could take longer to attain and you will be spending more money.

Look for scholarships.

College is expensive, but you don’t have to foot the whole bill. There are thousands of scholarships available; you just have to look for them.

I had 9 scholarships for my undergraduate years. Combined they covered everything. A friend received one scholarship that paid for everything.

Scholarships are offered in various amounts and every little bit helps. Spend some time researching college scholarships. Apply to the ones that require more work. Those with essays receive fewer entries because people don’t want to spend the time doing them.

Start volunteering with your community, if you aren’t doing so already. This is a very valuable quality to put on scholarship applications and some scholarships even require a certain number of volunteer hours. Look for scholarships that are specific to you as well. There are scholarships available strictly to military spouses.

Talk to friends, family and coworkers about their experiences.

It can be difficult to make such a big decision. Seek out help from friends by simply asking them what they liked best about their school, their college experience and how they made their decision on a school that lead them to a degree.

What tips do you have for going back to school during a deployment?

Make a college plan.

Look at the necessary courses for the degree you have chosen. Review the class schedule ahead of time and make a plan with a timeline for completing your degree. Some classes are only offered in specific semesters. Most programs have a capstone class that must be taken in your last semester. Make sure you know when that is so you aren’t waiting an extra semester just to take that one class because you didn’t time your program correctly.

Delegate time.

Once you have decided on a college and a program, make sure you take it seriously and spend the necessary time studying. That means setting aside a specific time to study. Do your homework. Don’t waste your time and money avoiding it. Delegate your time wisely and don’t show up late for class.

Are you thinking about going to college while your service member is deployed? What questions do you have?

Enjoy your classes.

College is a wonderful thing and can be a great experience if you let it. Study hard and you will feel so rewarded when you receive your degree.

What tips do you have for going back to school during a deployment?

End of the Deployment? 5 Tips for a Military Homecoming

07/22/2015 By Julie Provost

Even though you never thought the day would come, the end of the deployment is almost here. Your spouse is coming home and it is time to prepare for his or her homecoming.

You know there is a lot you need to do, but how do you get started? What if you miss something? Everything is going to be OK, I promise.

What advice would you give to military spouses preparing for a homecoming? Photo credit: Michaela Stuart Photography

Here are 5 things to think about when getting ready for a military homecoming.

1. Find an Welcome Home Outfit. You want to look good when your spouse sees you for the first time after months apart. Picking an outfit has always been one of my favorite things to do. Depending on the season, I have worn anything from a summer dress to a nice sweater and jeans. You want to be comfortable but it can be a lot of fun to pick out something new and a little more fancy than you would be used to. If you have friends who are also getting ready for homecoming, you can all shop together.

2. The Kids. If you have children you need to decide if you are going to have them at the homecoming with you. Keep in mind that you will be waiting for a few hours and if the flight gets in at 2 a.m. having someone come over to your house to watch the kids while they sleep might be a good idea. You could also have a night with your spouse before he or she sees your kids if you have a good babysitter to watch them. Every homecoming we have been to has had an area for the kids to play, which is nice and can keep them occupied during the wait.

How do you prepare your kids for a military homecoming? Photo credit: Michaela Stuart Photography

3. Make Signs. Holding a sign when you see your spouse coming off the plane or into the building is a lot of fun. The FRGs I have been in usually have a day to get together and make signs. You can also make them at home with your kids or even have one made.

4. Clean the House and Car. You will want to spend some time getting the house and car cleaned. If it’s in your budget you can hire someone to clean the carpets too. Try not to stress about how clean the house is. Your spouse will be fine if your house does not pass the white glove test. However, coming home to a clean house when you have been away for a while is a great feeling so I always try to do a deep clean before my husband gets home.

5. Relax and Remember. It can be easy to lose your cool during this time. The weeks before homecoming can be very stressful. Remember that times and dates can change. They can do so by the hour, the day or even the week. I have heard of soldiers being delayed by 2 weeks or even longer. Try to stay calm and take everything day by day. Remember to relax when you can and still stay busy until the end. The last week will drag by and you might go crazy if you don’t have anything to do while you wait.

Homecoming can be one of the best days of your life. Try to remember that the details will all work out, no matter how crazy it gets. Prepare yourself for changes and look forward to good times together again.

What advice would you give to military spouses preparing for a homecoming?

Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

06/08/2015 By Kimber Green

Father’s Day is less than 2 weeks away. Have you bought a special gift to show your husband how much he means to you and your family? Whether you choose to make something or to buy a gift, we have a gift idea for you.

Here’s the 2015 MilitaryShoppers’ Father’s Day gift guide.

2015 MilitaryShoppers Father's Day gift guide for military dads

Here’s the 2015 MilitaryShoppers’ Father’s Day gift guide.

For the Sentimental Father: Photos

Consider hiring a photographer and having your children dress in daddy’s uniform or parts of it. If you’re on a budget, you could always take the photos yourself. You can photograph the kids in your own backyard or go somewhere that is memorable to your family. The location of the photo could be just as special as the photo itself.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

Source: Britni Killeen Photography

Don’t have time for a photo shoot? Gather pictures you already have and present them in a fun way.

Order a personalized photo reel

Feeling crafty? I love this idea. Take photos from the states you have traveled to together or where you have lived and cut them in the shape of that state to fill in a map.

Source: Cut Craft Create

Homemade Gifts from the Kids

The best gifts are the ones from the heart. Let your children show how much they care for their father by letting their creativity run free. If you have a toddler, simply have them color in this downloadable daddy page and add photos of your little one.

Source: Smart Bottom Enterprises

You can capture the cuteness of your baby or toddler’s hand and footprints. Let Dad be part of the fun and make a memory together with this father and child handprint art.

Source: Imgfav

Ask your children what they love most about their dad and have them write it on a chalkboard or write it for them if they are too young to do it themselves. You can photograph them with it and frame it for him.

Source: Positively Splendid

For the Deployed Dad

Don’t forget to include some homemade cookies in your Father’s Day care package.

Send a care package full of family memories. Include letters from the children and yourself, photos of the family, snacks Dad loves and personal mementos. Add a touch of fun with punny Post-its as well.

Feeling a little silly? Send a giant hug his way. Who could resist such an adorable thing?

Send a hug to a deployed dad this Father’s Day.

It can be lonely curling up in bed at night without having your husband next to you. This is a very unique gift. Send your spouse a special pillow. When he falls asleep, wherever he is in the world, your pillow will glow and you can hear his heartbeat when you rest your head on the pillow. Finding comfort in knowing your spouse is safely in bed can help you rest easy.

Source: Sheknows.com

Military-themed Gifts

Service members collect and take pride in trading and receiving coins. Give them a beautiful way to display their military coins with a display case.

Source: United States Flag Store

Create a keepsake of your husband’s time in the military. Frame his picture, medals, awards and letters.

Source: Bradley’s Art And Frame

Have a little fun with some gifts as well. What military man wouldn’t love this? 50 caliber bottle opener, money clip and cufflinks are great gifts.

Source: Bullets 2 Bandages

Useful gifts are great, but skip the traditional tools. Try a Made In America smart key. It takes the bulk key mess your husband carries and turns it into a compact key holder. Now there will be more room in his pocket for family pictures.

Source: The Grommet

Is your husband a beer enthusiast? Order a man crate with personalized beer glasses and more.

Source: Man Crates

There are so many ways to say “you are a great father and I love you” to your husband. Whether you choose to make something or to buy a gift, he is sure to love it.

What will you be giving your husband for Father’s Day this year?

Daddy Deploys, Grandma Moves in

06/03/2015 By Julie Provost

Your husband just got deployment orders and you are wondering how you are going to get through the next year alone.

Then you remember something your mother-in-law told you. She would move in if you ever need extra help with your kids. You think long and hard about it and decide that having her move in while your spouse is deployed is a smart thing to do.

Sound familiar?

Daddy Deploys, Grandma Moves in During a Deployment

Having someone move in with you might be the best way for you to get through the deployment.

Sometimes this is what a military spouse has to do in order to get through the deployment. She has to ask her mom or her mother-in-law to move in for an extended period of time.

In order for this to work one would have to be able to live with that person. If you just don’t get along in general, having them move in is probably not a good idea.

When my husband was deployed the first time I knew that I would probably have to give birth to my second little boy by myself. I decided to see if my own mom could live with us for 2 months. She wasn’t there the whole deployment but she sure did help during the 2 months she was with us. Since I also had a two-year-old she was able to be there for him in ways that I couldn’t. This was especially helpful after I had my baby so I could focus more on the baby knowing that my 2-year-old was in good hands.

Related: Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

I have also known a few spouses that did have a mom or their mother-in-law move in during the whole deployment. They knew their limits and they had circumstances that allowed this to happen. The grandma was able to come and stay for an extended period of time even though she left behind her everyday life at home.

Has your mother or mother-in-law lived with you during a deployment?

If you are facing a deployment and are considering asking a family member to move in during the time your spouse will be away, make sure you really think about all the details.

Here are a few questions to consider before grandma moves in:

Will you be able to live with this person each and every day? Living together for months is different then a 2-week visit.

Are they willing to give up their lives back home for you? Will they miss other family members too much? Will they have to quit their job?

Can you talk openly about budgets and expectations? How often will you need them to help with the kids? What chores would you like them to do? Will you need them to help buy groceries?

There are so many benefits to having a family member move in. You can live with another adult, have help with the children and can stay in your own home verses moving somewhere during the deployment.

Really think about what would work best for you and go from there. Having someone move in with you might really be the best way for you to get through the deployment.

If your mom or mother-in-law wants to move in, it is also OK to say no to that proposal if you don’t think the arrangement would be a good idea. Talk things out with them to figure out what would work best for you and your family.

Has your mother or mother-in-law lived with you during a deployment? Would you recommend it?

Resiliency Starts with Resources: 4 Resources for Military Kids

04/29/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Military children aren’t naturally resilient. They aren’t born with a distinct skill set that leads them to be confident in new situations, to be understanding during separations and to be grateful for this unique life.

Yet, military brats are often described as resilient. Why?

I believe it’s because of their military parents. Resilient military children are that way because of their parents. Their parents show them the ropes of military life in a positive light. Their parents take the time to listen to their frustrations about the new school, missing their old friends, making new ones and saying goodbye to Daddy right before Christmas.

But as a military parent how do you know when to apply tough love and when to hug your way to happiness? Lucky for us, there are plenty of valuable resources to help us know how to talk to our children about military life and how to listen when they want to talk.

Here are 4 resources to utilize as parents of military kids.

FOCUS: Family Resilience Training for Military Families

You’ll recognize FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) by its purple materials. FOCUS is available to families in all branches of the military and its training is based on more than 20 years of research. FOCUS says its mission is to provide “resiliency training to military children and families. It teaches practical skills to help families overcome common challenges related to a parent’s military service, to communicate and solve problems effectively, and to successfully set goals together and create a shared family story.”

One thing I love is their emotion thermometer magnet. It helps my preschooler explaining that she’s feeling “a little red” when she doesn’t have the vocabulary to identify her exact feelings.

Sesame Street Talk, Listen, Connect Kits

With Elmo as the central character, small military children can feel like another little person understands their situation. Talk, Listen, Connect is a “a multiphase outreach initiative to help kids through deployments, combat-related injuries, and the death of a loved one.”

As a parent, I really enjoyed the conversation starters in the workbook. It had a short story I could read to my daughter and then questions I could ask her. The workbook also provides suggestions and strategies to help ease the transitions during the deployment.

With You All the Way- USO

When my husband deployed, my kindergartner received a With You All the Way support kit from the USO. This kit includes a video, a teddy bear, and a deployment journal. My child enjoyed writing in the journal about her adventures while Daddy is gone.

School Liaison Officer

Switching schools can get complicated quickly for military children and their parents. Just trying to figure what paperwork needs to be submitted to a new school district in the middle of the semester can be a frustrating experience. School Liaison Officers around the world work to ease this transition for military children.

My military children are young and I’m still trying to figure how I can best support them. Do they want to talk through their feelings? Do they want to draw Daddy a picture? Do they want to cry? Navigating these moments as an occasional solo parent and military spouse, I truly appreciate the information from the resources listed above.

What resources have you used as a parent to a military child? Which ones would you recommend?

Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

03/18/2015 By Julie Provost

As the summer of 2009 was approaching, I knew I had to do something. My husband was deployed yet again and I was in Germany with 2 small little boys. I couldn’t imagine going through a whole school-free summer by myself. I needed a break, a big one.

That was when I decided to go live with my parents for the summer. We took a Space-A flight out the end of May and stayed until the last week in August, a few weeks before school started again.

Moving back home was one of the best things I have ever done to help me get through a deployment.

There were so many benefits to going home for the summer. For one thing, I no longer had to be the only adult in the house. I had my parents right there to help me out. My brother and other family members and friends were also around to spend time with. I was able to plan an amazing summer taking my kids to some of the same places I went to as a child. I loved being able to do that with them. My husband even went there for his R&R and we were able to take a romantic trip for a few days while my parents watched our kids.

For me it was a big fat break from the regular deployment routine. I didn’t have to do everything for a few months. I got to enjoy time with my family and my parents were able to bond a little bit with my boys. It worked really well for us and helped speed up the deployment. By the time I got back to Germany we only had about 6 weeks before he came home.

Living with my parents worked for my family, but this temporary living arrangement doesn’t always work for everyone.

You need a good place to go that will be a comfortable home for you and your children. You will have a much harder time if the place you will be staying is more stressful than staying put at your current duty station.

Another thing to consider is what you are giving up. You might not have any other military friends nearby. I was OK with this but others might not be. There is a lot of support to be found in a military community and you give up some of that empathy when you move home for a deployment.

Related: Creative Deployment Activities for Military Kids

You also need to find out what will happen to your housing if you do leave. Some places will make you move out if you are gone for a certain amount of time. We were lucky in that we could keep our home in Germany, I just had to find someone to keep an eye on things while we were away. I knew when we went back everything would be there waiting for me. If your spouse is planning to ETS back home after the deployment, it might be a good idea to move home early and get settled. It can make the whole transition a lot easier when he comes back from deployment.

If your children are older, moving in with the grandparents might not be an option for you. You won’t want to pull them out of school. They won’t want to leave their friends. I know I wouldn’t be able to go home for a whole summer again because of the ages of my children. When we went home in 2009 they were only 2 and 4 years old.

You really have to think hard about if going home during a deployment is the right thing to do. For some people it is and for others it’s better to stay where they are.

Have you lived with your parents or in-laws during a deployment? Would you recommend it?

Frozen Heart? Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

02/27/2015 By Michelle Volkmann

Do you ever need a little military life pick-me-up?

Maybe you’re glued to the news about the Homeland Security budget negotiations or you’re frustrated with the proposals to cut military benefits. Your husband’s homecoming is delayed. Again. Your hairdresser is PCSing across country. Your friend asks how your children are handling the deployment. When you tell her it’s a struggle, she suggests your husband “leave the service so you don’t have to deal with that anymore.”

Sigh.

Despite these real-life struggles, there are many moments to cherish being married to the military. Despite what you see on the national news, there are many happy military couples. Think of that retired service member and his wife who celebrated 40 years and 25 moves. They know their love is rock solid. Think of those newbie spouses who promise to love, honor and cherish and then say goodbye as their husband goes to Korea for a year unaccompanied. Every day apart is building that rock solid marriage. And for everyone in-between, they are using the tools of date nights and frequent communication to keep their spark alive.

Here are some of my favorite images and quotes that illustrate the love between a service member and their supportive spouse. Let it be your military life pick-me-up today, tomorrow or any day that you need it.

Photos and Quotes to Melt Away Frosty Feelings About Military Life

Photo Credit: Kelly Schwark

Photo Credit: The Professional Army Wife

“Why do I do it? Because nights alone aren’t permanent. Because missing him reminds me that I’m lucky to have someone to miss. Because I am not afraid to make sacrifices for true love.”

Photo Credit: Sarah Elle Photography

“It doesn’t get any easier…You just get stronger.”

“I started missing you the moment you said goodbye.”

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

Photo Credit: Powell Woulfe Photography

“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

“I didn’t choose to fall in love with someone in the military. But I choose to love him daily.”

Photo Credit: Photo Art by Lu

“Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.”

“Tears last for a moment, but memories are forever.”

“You want to know the best thing about a long-distance relationship? Every kiss is like the first.”

Photo Credit: Pictured Moments by April

You can’t have homecoming photos without those military brats. Little ones screaming, running and hugging their deployed parent always brings a tear to my eye and a smile to my face.

Photo Credit: Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life

Does your military family have a favorite photo showing your love and sacrifice? Submit your photo to MilitaryShoppers’ monthly photo contest for a chance to win a $50 shopping spree.

20 Moments to Cherish Being Married to the Military

02/11/2015 By Rachel Tringali Marston

Despite the roller coaster of emotion that comes with being a military spouse, I believe there are many moments that are wonderful and touching. What better time than now to reflect and cherish all those moments that make us proud to be married to the military.

20 Moments to Cherish Being Married to the Military

Photo Credit: Lauren Nygard Photography

Here are 20 military moments that take our breath away.

Courthouse Weddings
Waiting for their Plane to Land
Photo Credit: Michaela Stuart Photography
Homecoming Kisses
Photo Credit: Michaela Stuart Photography
Homecoming Hugs
Photo Credit: Michaela Stuart Photography
Slow Dancing at Birthday Balls
Tears in Your Eyes During the National Anthem
Watching Your Kids Put their Hands on their Hearts during the National Anthem
Family Group Hugs
Celebrating Promotion Ceremonies
Growing Families
Photo Credit: Lauren Nygard Photography
Our Babies in Military Gear
Photo Credit: Lauren Nygard Photography
Exploring the World
Dress Blues
Photo Credit: Lauren Nygard Photography
Proud Communities
Photo Credit: Michaela Stuart Photography
When Strangers Thank Service Members in Uniform
Conversations between WWII Veterans and Today’s Active Duty Service Members
Crafting the Perfect Care Package for the Right Occasion
Knowing that They Will Receive that Care Package
Receiving a Special Unexpected Letter
Lastly, that Moment Following the Homecoming Kiss. Keeping them close till the next time duty calls.
Photo Credit: Lauren Nygard Photography

Now it’s your turn: What do you love about military life? Tell us in the comments section.

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Help the child understand that the deployment is the reason the parent will be gone and not because they don’t want to be there.

If your spouse is going to be gone for the whole holiday season you should still plan to decorate and celebrate as much as you can.

What are your tips for talking to your children about deployment during the holiday season?

Think about it this way, a deployment or separation is a difficult challenge for all family members. Don’t we all consider our furry, four-legged companions a part of the family?

What are your tips to help pets feeling separation anxiety during a deployment?

Deployment is a great time to earn a college degree.

What type of learning environment suits your needs best?

Do you want to go to a two-year or four-year college?

Research colleges thoroughly.

Decide on a major.

Look for scholarships.

Talk to friends, family and coworkers about their experiences.

Make a college plan.

Delegate time.

Enjoy your classes.

What tips do you have for going back to school during a deployment?

Here are 5 things to think about when getting ready for a military homecoming.

What advice would you give to military spouses preparing for a homecoming?

Here’s the 2015 MilitaryShoppers’ Father’s Day gift guide.

For the Sentimental Father: Photos

Homemade Gifts from the Kids

For the Deployed Dad

Military-themed Gifts

What will you be giving your husband for Father’s Day this year?

Sound familiar?

Sometimes this is what a military spouse has to do in order to get through the deployment. She has to ask her mom or her mother-in-law to move in for an extended period of time.

Related: Moving in with Your Parents during a Deployment

Here are a few questions to consider before grandma moves in:

Has your mother or mother-in-law lived with you during a deployment? Would you recommend it?

Yet, military brats are often described as resilient. Why?

Here are 4 resources to utilize as parents of military kids.

FOCUS: Family Resilience Training for Military Families

Sesame Street Talk, Listen, Connect Kits

With You All the Way- USO

School Liaison Officer

What resources have you used as a parent to a military child? Which ones would you recommend?

Moving back home was one of the best things I have ever done to help me get through a deployment.

Living with my parents worked for my family, but this temporary living arrangement doesn’t always work for everyone.

Related: Creative Deployment Activities for Military Kids

Have you lived with your parents or in-laws during a deployment? Would you recommend it?

Do you ever need a little military life pick-me-up?

“Why do I do it? Because nights alone aren’t permanent. Because missing him reminds me that I’m lucky to have someone to miss. Because I am not afraid to make sacrifices for true love.”

“It doesn’t get any easier…You just get stronger.”

“I started missing you the moment you said goodbye.”

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

“Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

“I didn’t choose to fall in love with someone in the military. But I choose to love him daily.”

“Love is when he gives you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.”

“Tears last for a moment, but memories are forever.”

“You want to know the best thing about a long-distance relationship? Every kiss is like the first.”

Does your military family have a favorite photo showing your love and sacrifice? Submit your photo to MilitaryShoppers’ monthly photo contest for a chance to win a $50 shopping spree.

Here are 20 military moments that take our breath away.

Now it’s your turn: What do you love about military life? Tell us in the comments section.

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