As military spouses, providing stability for children can be a significant challenge. Frequent moves, deployments, and other unique stressors can disrupt routines and impact children’s well-being. However, with careful planning and proactive strategies, we can create a stable and nurturing environment for our children to thrive.
Here are some essential strategies and tips for creating stability for children in military families:
Establish Routines: Consistent routines provide a sense of predictability and security for children. Set regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and family rituals to create a stable daily structure.
Communicate Openly: Keep lines of communication open with your children, especially during times of transition or change. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns, and reassure them that their emotions are valid.
Maintain Connections: Help your children maintain connections with friends and family members, even if they are far away. Use technology to facilitate virtual visits and stay in touch with loved ones through calls, video chats, and letters.
Stay Involved in Their Lives: Take an active interest in your children’s activities, hobbies, and school life. Attend parent-teacher conferences, school events, and extracurricular activities to show your support and interest in what’s happening with them.
Provide Emotional Support: Be attuned to your children’s emotional needs and offer support and reassurance during challenging times. Validate their feelings and offer comfort and encouragement as needed.
Prepare Them for Moves: Military life often involves frequent moves and deployments, which can be disruptive for children. Help them prepare for transitions by involving them in the moving process, maintaining familiar routines, and addressing any concerns they may have. I like to show mine phots of our next home and get them excited about what’s to come.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support from other military families, support groups, or mental health professionals if needed. Connecting with others who understand your unique challenges can provide valuable insights and reassurance.
Focus on Resilience: Teach your children coping skills and resilience-building techniques to help them navigate life’s ups and downs. Encourage a positive outlook, problem-solving skills, and adaptability in the face of change.
Lead by Example: As a parent, you play a crucial role in modeling resilience and strength for your children. Demonstrate healthy coping strategies, and communication to inspire and empower them.
By using these strategies and prioritizing stability in your family, you can create a nurturing and supportive environment where your children can thrive.
Ready to take the next step in creating stability for yourself and your family? Download our free guide, “Creating a Life of Stability With the Things You Can Control,” for practical tips and resources to support your journey. Together, we can build a foundation of stability and resilience for your family’s future.
Are scholarships available for military spouses seeking to further their education? The answer is a resounding yes, but navigating the landscape of scholarship opportunities can be daunting. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various scholarships available to military spouses, eligibility criteria, application tips, and resources to help you secure funding for your educational goals.
Exploring Scholarship Options:
Military Service-Related Scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarships specifically tailored to military spouses, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions. These scholarships may be provided by military branches, veteran associations, or nonprofit organizations.
Educational Institutions: Colleges and universities often offer scholarships and tuition assistance programs for military spouses. These can range from merit-based awards to need-based financial aid packages.
Private Organizations: Numerous private companies and foundations provide scholarships for military spouses pursuing higher education. These scholarships may be industry-specific or open to spouses from all backgrounds.
Government Programs: Federal and state governments administer various scholarship and grant programs that support military spouses in their educational pursuits. These programs may include the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program and state-specific education assistance programs.
Eligibility Criteria:
Citizenship and Residency: Some scholarships may have citizenship or residency requirements.
Military Affiliation: Eligibility criteria often include being married to an active-duty service member, reservist, veteran, or fallen or wounded warrior.
Academic Achievement: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA or academic achievement standards.
Financial Need: Some scholarships are need-based and consider the financial circumstances of the applicant.
Field of Study: Certain scholarships may be limited to specific fields of study or career paths.
Application Tips:
Research Extensively: Explore scholarship databases, university financial aid offices, and military support organizations to identify relevant opportunities.
Review Eligibility Criteria: Carefully review the eligibility requirements for each scholarship to determine your eligibility before applying.
Gather Documentation: Collect necessary documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays, well in advance of application deadlines.
Tailor Your Applications: Customize your application materials to highlight your unique experiences, achievements, and aspirations.
Meet Deadlines: Submit applications ahead of deadlines to avoid missing out on valuable scholarship opportunities.
Seek Assistance: Utilize resources such as education counselors, financial aid advisors, and scholarship workshops to enhance your application process.
In conclusion, scholarships for military spouses provide support and resources to pursue educational and career advancement opportunities. By leveraging available scholarships and grants, military spouses can overcome financial barriers and achieve their academic goals. Remember to thoroughly research scholarship options, carefully review eligibility criteria, and submit well-prepared applications to increase your chances of success.
As military spouses, so much of our lives are dictated by the military. Where we live, how often we move, whether or not our service member is going to be home by dinner time, and so much more. We have choices on how we react to this fact. We can fight it-kicking and screaming. Or we can accept it, and learn to make it work. The former is a common reaction, and often results in resentful, unadjusted spouses, and frustrated, miserable service members.
The latter is the option that will grow us.It will change us and mature us from the inside out, and result in not only stronger more resilient individuals, but a stronger unit (your marriage).
But how do we do it? How do we accept that our life is no longer just about us? Honestly, it s process that won’t happen overnight, but there are things you can do to shift your thinking, and make the change easier to embrace as you see the benefit.
Two Become One
Just as your husband was taught in bootcamp (or basic training) that he was no longer an individual, you need to begin to understand the same fact. When you said “I do”, the two of you became one. You are a unit, one body, one house. So there is no competing, no keeping score of who gets what, no splitting, no dividing. A house divided against itself can not stand.
There Can Only Be One Head
Don’t roll your eyes. I will not get into biblical submission on this post, but I need you to think logically, and without any emotion or bias. In a business, there are many employees, but one CEO. In a military unit, there’s a chain of command, and one commanding officer. In any living thing, there are many parts of the body, but only one head. The head does not operate independently, without the other body parts, but it is the only head. That said, someone in your marriage has to be the ultimate decision maker, the tie breaker, the leader, of sorts. That leader is the main character.
Where Do We Fit In?
As I stated above, the head can not move without the support of the neck the brain, and all the other body parts that make up the body. So as the spouse, or the supporting character, we are not without value. Your service member is often the logical, pragmatic, part of the body, but they need us. They need us to encourage them, and build them up. They need us to remind them that whatever it is, they can do it. They need us to feel respected and loved as the leader and representative of the unit (marriage) that goes out into the crazy world to make things happen.
What About My Needs?
I’m so glad you asked. Your needs matter, just as much as his do. I would never say that they don’t. There are ways to curate our desires and have our needs met as well. I always advocate for an hour or self care each day. Whether that’s an artistic hobby, or fitness, or reading a novel, or whatever it is that you enjoy, do it! Are you social? Definitely, go out and meet other spouses who can help build you up and create a sense of community. Do you have career aspirations? You can do those as well. Here’s where it gets sticky. In order for this to work, the first priority needs to be the unit. So if you can go to school, or work, or travel without it being a detriment to the family, and what the supportive role entails, then do it girl.
The Results
Over time, as our perspectives shift, and we begin to see our marriage as one unit instead of two individuals who compete with one another, small petty things, won’t matter. We won’t keep score over who washed the dishes last time, we won’t feel like we’re constantly fighting over when its “my time to do me”, and you’ll see this journey in the military as an opportunity to grow the marriage and its strength as well as the strength and individuals within.
Join our Facebook group, Milspouse Mastery, where we are doing a 5 day challenge on this very topic very soon. Becoming the Supportive Character Challenge
In the hustle and bustle of military life, it’s easy for spouses like us to prioritize everyone else’s needs above our own. We’re often so focused on supporting our service members and managing the challenges of parenting when they’re gone, that we neglect our own well-being. However, taking care of ourselves is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Here’s why self-care is crucial for military spouses and how to prioritize it in your life.
Maintaining Resilience:
As military spouses, we face unique stressors, from frequent moves to deployments and separations. Self-care helps us build resilience, allowing us to bounce back from challenges and adapt more effectively to the demands of military life.
Nurturing Mental Health:
The constant uncertainty and lifestyle changes associated with military life can take a toll on our mental health. Practicing self-care, whether through prayer, journaling, or fitness, provides us with essential tools to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Strengthening Relationships:
When we prioritize self-care, we’re better equipped to show up as our best selves in our relationships. Whether with our spouses, children, or friends, taking time to recharge allows us to offer more patience, empathy, and support to those we love.
Preventing Burnout: Juggling multiple roles and responsibilities as military spouses can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Self-care acts as a buffer against burnout, helping us maintain balance and prevent physical and emotional exhaustion.
Setting a Positive Example: Our well-being sets the tone for our families and communities. By prioritizing self-care, we demonstrate the importance of nurturing oneself to our children and fellow military spouses, inspiring them to do the same.
Incorporating Self-Care Into Your Routine:
Identify Your Needs: Think of what activities and practices bring you joy and relaxation. Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or indulging in a hobby, prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul.
Make Time for Yourself: Schedule regular self-care sessions into your calendar, treating them as non-negotiable appointments. Even if it’s just a few minutes each day, carving out dedicated time for self-care reinforces its importance in your life.
Have compassion: Let go of perfectionism and embrace compassion. Remember that self-care is not selfish—it’s an essential investment in your overall well-being. Be kind to yourself, especially when it’s hard.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your support network for help when needed. Whether it’s delegating tasks to your older kids or leaning on fellow military spouses for support, seeking assistance allows you to prioritize self-care without guilt.
Celebrate Progress: Recognize and celebrate your efforts to prioritize self-care, no matter how small. Each step you take towards nurturing yourself is a victory worth celebrating and brings you closer to a healthier, happier life.
By embracing self-care as a vital component of military spouse life, we can cultivate greater resilience, nurture our relationships, and thrive amidst the unique challenges of military life. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s a powerful act of self-love and empowerment that benefits us all.
I created a guide with tips to help you incorporate self-care into your routine every single day, and regain the vitality you once had. Check it out here!
Managing finances can be challenging, especially for military families who often face unique financial situations due to frequent relocations with varying costs of living. However, with careful planning and budgeting, it’s possible to achieve financial stability and peace of mind. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a military family budget, step by step.
Step 1: Assess Your Income and Expenses
Start by calculating your total monthly income, including military pay, allowances, and any additional sources of income.
Next, list all your monthly expenses, including fixed costs like rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, and discretionary spending.
Step 2: Set Financial Goals
Determine your short-term and long-term financial goals, such as saving for emergencies, paying off debt, buying a home, or investing in education.
Prioritize your goals based on their importance and feasibility, and set specific, measurable targets to track your progress.
Step 3: Create a Budget
Based on your income and expenses, create a realistic monthly budget that aligns with your financial goals.
Allocate funds for essential expenses first, such as housing, utilities, and groceries, then allocate remaining funds for savings, debt payments, and discretionary spending.
Step 4: Track Your Spending
Monitor your spending regularly to ensure you’re staying within your budget and identify areas where you can cut back or save.
Consider using budgeting apps (I love Every Dollar) or software to track your expenses automatically and categorize your spending.
Step 5: Adjust as Needed
Be flexible with your budget and make adjustments as needed to accommodate changes in income, expenses, or financial goals.
Periodically review your budget to ensure it remains relevant and effective in helping you achieve your financial objectives.
Conclusion:
Creating and maintaining a military family budget requires diligence, discipline, and commitment, but the rewards are well worth the effort.Remember your goals, and hold one another accountable. By following these steps and prioritizing your financial goals, you can take control of your finances, reduce stress, and build a secure financial future for you and your loved ones.
Don’t forget to join our Facebook group for more financial tips and support from fellow military spouses!
I'm a wife, crunchy mom of 5, Jesus lover, and homemaker. Join me on this wild journey of moving every 3 years to unpredictable locations as the wife of a US Marine.
