Tips For Staying Connected To Your Family While Deployed
Being deployed is hard on all fathers and their families. Things can be a more challenging in the case of stepdads who are trying to establish a solid connection with their stepchildren.
Staying connected and keeping the relationships strong is a big must. There are several ways on how you can make things easier at home during your deployment.
Prepare Your Family
As you know deployment is a call of duty for serving your country. It’s also part of your duty to make sure you and your whole family is prepared for the impending separation. Take advantage of the remaining time of being together and see to it your spouse and stepchildren understand the situation.
Heart to Heart Talks Can Help
In an age-appropriate way, you can tell your stepchildren what is going on and why you will be away from home. Encourage them to raise questions. Be honest in answering each and every one of them.
Think of Surprises
Before you leave, you can hide some messages in the most unexpected places of your home. For kids that are not reading yet, you can leave a box filled with messages to your wife and ask her to read one message out loud daily.
Stay Updated With Special Events Of The Family
One of the most important tips on staying connected with your family during your deployment is to make sure you keep up with all important events despite the distance.
However, since not all overseas base have or allow access to the internet, find a way to send a snail mail or burn and send some DVDs.
Old School Communication Never Fails
While Facebook, Skype, emails, calls and text messages are great, still, nothing can beat the joy of receiving a package from Dad. Take note there is really no need for you to send big packages.
Even the simplest mementos can show your kids you are thinking of them all the time even if you are on the other side of the world. Small and tangible items can help stepdads in staying connected with younger children.
These tokens of love can give the kids an assurance that despite your absence at home, you are in a real place and you will be coming back home soon.
Get and Use Your Calendar
While deployed, it’s all too easy for one to forget some special occasions. Having your calendar and actually using it can give you the reminder about birthdays, games, recitals, anniversaries, graduations and others. Sending a simple congratulatory message to your stepchild can mean a lot.
Be in the Know
You can take with you a good book or ebook on child development and browse it every now and then during your free time. This way, you can keep up with how your kids are changing and growing by the day. It can be a big help for you and make it much easier for you to jump in and fit into the scene once you return home.
Staying connected and maintaining strong family relationships before, during and after your deployment is never easy but these simple tips will surely be able to help.
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