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Military families may find it difficult to connect with one another, especially when tours are long and parents miss important moments for their kids. Many ways exist to stay connected to your spouse when they’re overseas or otherwise busy with military duties. Therapy animals, recording videos, and writing letters are just a few of the methods available in making sure all members of the family can get through the time apart.
Therapy Dogs
Wives or husbands left without their significant other may find it difficult to cope. They may be unsure of how to deal with the stress of having a loved one in the military and having to maintain things at home alone. Therapy dogs are ideal in this situation because they can offer comfort in this time of need and ensure spouses left at home do not feel so alone as they may have otherwise. You can complete an ESA dog certification to see if you qualify and turn your pet into a therapy animal no matter their breed or size.
Recording Videos
You may or may not be able to send video footage to your loved one while they’re away on duty. You can, however, record videos and show them at a later date so your spouse doesn’t have to feel like he completely missed out on important moments. Capture the most precious times in your family, whether it be a dance recital for your daughter or a soccer game for your son, and be sure it all stays recorded for your husband to watch later. Send it as soon as you possibly can to keep him happy and wanting, even more, to come home.
Writing Letters
Any members of the family can write letters to one another when they’re away. It helps both parties, as the one reading the letter gets to learn about what it’s like at home and hear about their loved one’s life, while the one doing the writing gets to express their emotions and get things off their chest. Letter communication is sometimes all that’s available with a member of the military, and it can take weeks or longer before a letter is received in return. Either way, both people get to share their thoughts and feelings and stay connected with one another as they read each other’s words. Letter writing has many therapeutic benefits in all sorts of circumstances.
Military Resources
Some spouses and children left at home still struggle with the process no matter what they try to do to help it. Military resources are available for those who need support and guidance from others who have been through the same struggle. Always be sure to reach out if you need to and get the help and motivation you need during this time away from your loved one. Talking to others can often help and make you feel like you are not alone. Deployments affect family members in many ways, and some may do better reaching out than keeping to themselves.
Whether you reach out to one of the available military resources or support groups, write letters regularly, record videos to send, get a therapy dog, or all of the above, it can still be difficult to deal with a loved one away in the military. Do what you can to help you and your children cope, and be there for your spouse who is away and missing you as well. With the use of multiple methods for staying connected, the two of you and all other members of your family can remain as secure as possible.
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