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How Is My Husband Always Gone For Mother’s Day And Home For Father’s Day?

06/01/2018 By Meg Flanagan

Ahhhhh, Mother’s Day. That glorious Sunday in May when mothers everywhere lounge luxuriously in bed.

We’re all peacefully waiting for our badly buttered toast to arrive, paired with an alcohol heavy mimosa. And then the whole family skips to brunch with happy, shiny faces.

Everything is right on Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the years of excruciating physical labor it takes to raise up a child. Many moms mark this occasion with flowers, wine, candy, cards and a trip to the spa.

Except for me.

And I’m guessing a bunch of other military spouses too.

Instead of my sweet baby angels bringing me cold cereal, I was awakened at zero dark thirty by my child screaming. I rolled over to nudge my husband, reminding him that it’s my day to sleep in, except, oh wait, I’m riding solo today.

Just like many Mother’s Days past, and certainly in the future as well, the military has thoughtfully scheduled field exercises today.

How Is My Husband Always Gone For Mother's Day And Home For Father's Day?

This year I’m observing delayed Mother’s Day on June 17, which just happens to be Father’s Day.

Guess who won’t have any work obligations on June 17 though? My husband.

Instead, he’ll probably be at the golf course celebrating Father’s Day. All alone. While I handle the kids by myself. Again.

Why is my husband always gone for Mother’s Day, but home for Father’s Day?

It seems like a cruel joke the military likes to play on me every year.

“Hahahaha, let’s leave all the non-active duty moms at home without their spouse today. Oh, but make sure the men are all home for Father’s Day. Can’t miss playing a few holes, am I right?”

Well, this year the joke’s on you, Dad! Because I’m observing delayed Mother’s Day due to scheduling conflicts. My personal Mother’s Day just happens to be on Father’s Day. Weird, right?

It seems like you might have had an OK time at your “exercise” in Seoul. I heard the all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue was delicious. The K-Pop karaoke looked fun too. I’m sure having a hotel room all to yourself with no one needing you to wipe their nose was pure torture.

Bonus: you got paid to be there!

Since you got your special day early, I’m going to go ahead and take mine right now.

When Dad’s Gone in May, Mom Plays in June

You’ll get to celebrate the joys of fatherhood the same way I basked in the glow of motherhood while you were gone. In short: alone.

That’s right, the kids are all yours today. Because you should spend Father’s Day celebrating with the precious little tykes who call you Dad.

Let’s start the day early. I’ll head out for a long sunrise run so that you can be the first face the kids see in the morning. Such a wonderful gift!

Next, you can enjoy a chilled coffee over soggy cereal. The handwritten cards will tug at your heartstrings.

Then, head out to the beach, pool or playground. Really, go wherever your heart desires. If you can get them to handle sitting in the cart, take them to the golf course. If not, mini golf is basically the same thing.

I won’t even be mad when you bring them back loaded up with sugar and sticky with melted ice cream. They have summer camp tomorrow!

While you’re out celebrating, I’ll make sure to prep the grill and food for you to cook when you return. I want you to have the honor of getting those steaks just right.

As for the middle part of the day, I was planning on having a working me-day. I’ll field some emails, check Facebook and then head off to be tortured at the spa. I’m talking brunch, massage, pedicure and facial. All while sipping champagne. It’s going to be terrible.

You can swing by to get me on your way back from mini golf.

How does your family handle missed holidays or special days? Share your tips in the comments!

10 Ways that Military Dads Rock!

06/03/2016 By Meg Flanagan

Military dads – men who have this parenting thing handled. No matter what. Even at zero dark thirty.

10 Ways that Military Dads Rock

Here’s to you military dads. You absolutely rock!

Let’s celebrate some of the many ways that these guys rock at parenting.

1. Most Realistic GI Joe Gear

When you can bust out Daddy’s cammo face paint, strap on a real helmet or slip into authentic aviators, you pretty much have Halloween in the bag. Or just a casual neighborhood game of tactical tag.

Having a father in the military means that you get to see his gear up-close and personal. And you also get to “borrow” it from time to time.

2. Father-Daughter Moments

If you think that man looks good in a dress uniform, add a sweet little girl who looks just like him to the picture.

Many bases, units or organizations sponsor Father-Daughter dances throughout the year. This is precious time spent together for fathers and daughters who are often separated by lengthy trainings and deployments.

3. Bring Your Parent to School Day

Sure, the other parents are sharing how they can fix cars or treat medical conditions.

A military dad?

He can FAST rope from a hovering helicopter into unknown territory in the dead of night.

When a military dad shows up in school to talk about his job, it is inspiring and a little intimidating. After all, his career has sent him all over the world. He has been to places many of us have only read about and he has the challenge coins, awards and pictures to prove it.

4. Scout Badges

When your father knows how to camp out for weeks on end, tie knots like nobody’s business and is generally well versed in field medicine, many of the badges in Boy and Girl Scouts become so much easier.

With years of tactical gear and training under his belt, he has the knowledge to share with you. Troop or pack mates will also benefit when dear old dad shows up to explain things like: making freeze-dried food edible; the importance of hot sauce; proper backpack packing; and leave no trace tactics.

5. Making the Most of Each Moment

The internet was recently broken by Staff Sgt. John York, USMC, and his 3-year-old son Bryson. To help his little boy deal with an upcoming deployment, this stellar dad celebrated all the holidays that he would miss with this son before he left.

Military dads know how to make the most of each moment, no matter when or how long that moment lasts. Whether they are holiday-loading before a deployment or just hanging out at home, military dads cuddle harder and play longer.

Let’s not leave out the rest of the dads who man up in military families – dads on the home front.

10 Ways that Military Dads Rock

Let’s not forget about the amazing male military spouses who also rock.

6. Master of the House

When mom is away, this dad is in charge. He can cook breakfast, organize a PTA meeting, schedule soccer carpools and survive bath time. Solo.

He guides his children through tough situations, like deployments, as a minority in the military spouse community. And he does it with grace, class and style.

7. Welcome Home Crafts

For a military homecoming, dad has got it handled. He not only purchased the supplies from the craft store, but he also searched Pinterest for the best homecoming sign ideas. His perfectly executed plan is guaranteed to build lasting memories for his kids and show his spouse how much he cares.

8. Lots of Dad Time

Not many kids can boast that they get to spend months on end with just their dad. But military kids can! These are formative years and time spent that can influence future decisions and beliefs.

Plus, dad gets to see a lot of things that are stereotypical “mom” territory: ballet practice, parent-teacher conferences, field trips, class snacks and sleepovers.

9. Cooking with Dad

Yes, this definitely happens in all sorts of families, but male military spouses are often in charge of the kitchen. This can lead to fun experiments that only dads would think of: macaroni and cheese and pizza rolls; hot dogs with jelly; and pasta with whatever is left in the fridge.

10. Rocking Solo Parenting

Female military spouses and moms get a lot of attention. These ladies hold it down at home while their partner is off protecting and defending.

Let’s not forget about the amazing male military spouses and dads who do the exact same thing.

These superstar fathers are finding resources to make separations easier, to figure out semi-solo parenting and to navigate military life. They become both mom and dad in a world where often “mom” is the default expected solver of all child-related problems.

So, here’s to you military dads of all sorts. You absolutely rock!

Tell us about your child’s military dad. What makes him a rock star dad?

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

Source: Positively Splendid

For the Deployed Dad

2015 MilitaryShoppers Father's Day Gift Guide for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

Source: United States Flag Store

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

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

Source: The Grommet

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

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Military Dads

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?

Show Us Your Darling Dads and Fearless Fathers

05/29/2015 By Julie Provost

Father’s Day is right around the corner. Dads are so important in the lives of their children. When he is in the military, his time at home is precious and the relationships he has with his kids are so very important.

A military father has to try extra hard to let his children know he is there for them even when he is far away.

MilitaryShoppers Father's Day Photo Contest

We try to take a lot of pictures of my husband and our boys.

A military father has to go out of his way to be there even when he can’t be. It can be one of the hardest things to do. From phone calls to gift boxes, dads who have to be away from their children have a special job that other fathers do not.

When a military father is home, he works to make important memories with his children. In our family we try to spend special time together like taking a trip to the park, going out to dinner or spending the day in Nashville. Sometimes we just stay home and barbecue. We take advantage of the days he is home so that when my children are grown they will have plenty of memories of their father being around.

In between deployments, my husband has worked on the relationships he has with his boys so that when he is away, they will know that he loves them and misses them just like they miss him. They all have such a strong bond because of the relationships he has worked hard to have with them. Creating strong bonds with his children is such an important thing for a father to do.

We also try to take a lot of pictures of my husband and our boys when we can. These pictures are so special to us when he is away. We can look at them, put them up in my kids’ rooms and he can even take some with him when he deploys. In the past I have even made him a scrapbook of fun times they have had together.

It doesn’t really matter if you take pictures with your phone or a fancy camera, just make sure you are taking photos. They are so nice to look at in the years to come and a great reminder of the fun times your kids had with their dad.

MilitaryShoppers Father's Day Photo Contest

Do you take photos of your husband with your kids?

Do you have a great photo of your kids with their father?

You can enter that photo into our Military Shoppers Father’s Day photo contest!

Submissions need to include:

  • Name of person submitting photo
  • Installation
  • Branch of service

Rules:

  • Pictures must be received by June 30, 2015
  • Winner will be selected at random the first week in July
  • Entrants must be registered with MilitaryShoppers.com and have checked the box in their profile saying “yes, I would like to receive emails of offers, savings and contests for the military community.”
  • Winner will be posted to MilitaryShoppers Facebook page, MilitaryShoppers blog and MilitaryShoppers.com
  • One photo per entrant
  • Multiple entrants will not be accepted
  • Photo must be submitted by entrant who possesses a valid military ID card (Active Duty, Veteran, Retiree, Reserve, Guard or family member of the aforementioned categories)
  • Entrant (not those within the photo) must be 18 years of age or older
  • Winner will be notified by e-mail
  • No purchase necessary to win

Good luck! Looking forward to seeing all of those great pictures of kids and dads. Enter the Father’s Day photo contest today!

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