Navigating the tears, tantrums, anxiety and complex needs of our babes is challenging at the best of times and can be downright overwhelming when all of you are missing the comfort and craving the stability of having your serving member back home, but the many challenges of parenthood in the Army are easily outweighed by the joyful moments…
Jessica xo
Chaotic, emotional and adventurous are all words I would use to describe the journey of parenting little people through the trials and joys of Defence Life!
All the while navigating frequent relocation, absences of a parent and all the usual transitions and developments of childhood: little ones with a parent in the Army become capable and resilient. They learn to love each other and their peers in new ways, they form a fierce alliance with the other defence children in their lives and like you - they’ll learn to make the most of every moment and celebrate every win!
Read on to share in my joy and heartaches and glean a few tips and strategies on walking your little ones through the many challenges of Army life - while hanging onto your sanity and sense of fun!
From a mama who’s walking the walk with you!
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Defence relocation - Army life with toddlers
Relocating is a part of Army life, here’s what I’ve learned about surviving temporary accommodation with toddlers…
There's definitely no one-size-fits-all approach to helping young children process their huge feelings around having a parent that frequently comes and goes or is away for long stretches at a time; but there are definitely a few tools and activities that make the process a little easier!
We've tried a number of different resources and activities over our years in the military so far. Some were a hit and some were a miss; they sounded great in theory but the kids gave up on them pretty quickly. After years of trial and error, here is our shortlist of go to preparations and activities…
These are the ones that help my little ones when their daddy is away with the military - the things that help them feel just a little closer to their dad when he can't physically be with us. Over nearly six years, four children and NUMEROUS months long separations - these are the things we come back to again and again!