Keep Kids Connected During Deployments

Tips on how to stay connected 

by MSM

• Keep your child of any age in touch with other military children.
• For stability, stay in touch with some military friends, even when you move.
• Keep the lines of communication open with your deployed service member, if possible.
• Write letters and take photos.
• Make sure your child understands that just because a parent is deployed, that the parent is not out of their life.
• Keep the deployed parent a presence as much as possible.
• Be open and discuss your fears with your child, but reassure them that you are there for them.
• Keep the lines of communication open, so that your child talks to you, not strangers about his or her worries during deployment.
• Take advantage of every free service, camp, school, and program offered to military children.

 It may be easy to focus on your own challenges and grievances during combat deployments, but most important, do not leave your child behind.