Advice and Tips for Military Parents

Being a parent is fulfilling, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its challenges. Adding the military lifestyle to the mix can add additional difficulties or stressors that can be tough for new parents. Unless you’ve navigated raising a child in the military lifestyle before, it’s normal to be experiencing stress or other challenges associated with parenting. In this blog, we’ll provide advice and tips for military parents to help their children thrive.

The Challenges of Being a Military Parent

Whether you’re an active duty service member or a spouse, being a military parent comes with a few challenges. Some of the main challenges that most military families face include:

• Relocation and deployment: Moving frequently or having to be away from home for long periods can put significant strain on a family, and children often have a hard time dealing with these situations. Having to start over constantly or having a parent missing for long periods can cause significant stress for children, especially school-aged children, as it can disrupt their routine and pull them away from friends and school. 
• Financial stress: While it’s rewarding to be a military parent, it can also cause some financial stress. If both parents are working and you’re stuck on a waiting list for childcare on-base, you will have to find childcare elsewhere and pay for the cost out of pocket. You may also have to deal with higher levels of debt than your civilian counterparts, as well as extra costs with frequent relocations and difficulty for spouses finding employment. 
• Mental and emotional strain: Being a parent is never easy, and it can become even more difficult when you include all of the stressors involved with being part of the military lifestyle. The mental and emotional stress on the entire family can lead to several problems that make it harder to deal with the challenges parents and children face in their lives. 
• Limited support: As part of a military family, you’re often moving constantly, often great distances from loved ones and an established support system. As a result, it can be hard for military families to find the support they need when they encounter challenges, which can create tension in a family dynamic. 

Tips for Thriving as a Military Parent

As a military parent, it’s important to be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to handle the unique challenges the military lifestyle presents. It’s just as important to take care of yourself so you’re able to offer the love and care your child needs. Below, we’ll provide tips on how to thrive as a military parent so you’re ready to navigate any challenges that come your way.

1. Openly Communicate and Offer Support

It’s important to communicate with your spouse so you know how they’re feeling and so you can properly address challenges as a team. Listen to your spouse when they’re having trouble at work or when they’re having difficulty as a parent, and support them when they need help. Talk with your child and listen to them when they experience emotions like anxiety or fear related to the uncertainties of military life. Even if these feelings are dark or negative, acknowledge how they're feeling and give them support. You can even offer professional support if your children are struggling with things like depression or anxiety. 

2. Find a Strong Social Network

It’s important to have a strong social network you can rely on when things get tough; that way, you have the care you need to get through some of your toughest challenges as a parent. There are plenty of local support groups you can join through your installation’s Military and Family Support Center (M&SFC). You can also find support through online support groups on social media platforms, such as Facebook. These groups can be invaluable to finding places to vent or ask questions when you’re struggling with something as a military parent. 

You can also utilize M&SFC to find activities and support that’s specifically tailored to military families. Not only will you find support, but you can engage in activities that bring you closer together as a family and build a stronger bond. 

3. Take Advantage of Military Resources and Benefits

The military offers plenty of resources and benefits to help families while they navigate the challenges of the military lifestyle. For example, Military OneSource is an excellent place to find counseling and other support services that help military families. You can also find counseling resources through this site if someone in your family is struggling and you need professional help. 

Military families can also access discounts, financial assistance, and more to alleviate some of their stress. These resources are put in place specifically to address some of the challenges military families have to go through, and while they aren’t designed to solve all problems, they can go a long way in helping struggling families get back on track. 

4. Learn How to Manage Your Stress

It’s tough being a parent, especially one involved in the uncertainties of military life. It’s important to learn how to manage your stress so you can better handle the stress you encounter as a parent and throughout your daily life. Remember to take some time to take care of yourself so you don’t become overwhelmed easily, which means taking care of your physical health and setting aside some time to relax when possible. Military spouses who feel stressed can look into finding a new purpose, whether that’s a new job or hobby, so they can get some stress relief throughout their day. If things get particularly hard, speaking with a professional and discovering new stress management techniques can make a significant difference.

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Military Luggage Company has gear for your whole family, ensuring you’re prepared at every stage. We’ve got the gear for active duty service members and spouses looking for something high-quality and sturdy to help them get through the day. We even offer kids' gear so they can feel like part of the mission. Tackle your objectives with efficiency with gear you can trust from MLC. Get started by browsing our selection, or contact us today with your questions.