July 09, 2020
Being a military spouse isn’t easy by any means. There are so many different issues to navigate as you move to a new area or learn to navigate life on base. Things like shopping and medical care are not the same as they are in the civilian world. Add to that a deployment and life can be very hard. Staying connected can make a world of difference. Here are some tips on how to stay connected during deployment.
When your spouse goes overseas communication may not happen as regularly as you might be used to. It can be difficult to adjust to not picking up the phone and talking to the one you love whenever you want or need to. It could be days or weeks before you speak to each other. This can put a strain on any relationship without a plan in place. However, there are some means of overseas communication you may be able to take advantage of. These will depend on the location of deployment and demands on your spouse as they serve.
Another way to stay connected is through gifts and mementos either sent to your spouse or from your spouse to you. This could mean setting up a flower delivery for each month on deployment, sending a special gift for birthdays and anniversaries, or even having special items ordered for holidays. When your spouse is on deployment it can be hard for them to miss out on a lot. Having some of these items set up in advance to come to you can mean the world. Here are a few ways your spouse can send home special mementos or gifts.
Where your spouse is deployed will impact what you can send, how frequently, and how much. However, sending a letter or care package can be the boost your deployed spouse needs to keep going. Sending these physical items can be a huge encouragement. There are some items that you definitely need to send. However, with longer shipping times, there are also some items you will want to avoid.
Necessities - Start by packing in some of the necessities. Items like sunscreen, lip balm, socks, underwear, powder, or other items you know your spouse uses regularly can be a big help. It can also help to send over a favorite soap or personal care item they can not get overseas. These items aren’t always easily accessible overseas. By sending over things you know your spouse will need you are offering them a huge encouragement and a little bit of comfort.
While the hope after a loved one leaves on deployment can be to hear from them often, this may not be practical. Instead, lack of internet access, long hours on duty, and other factors can greatly limit your communication. One of the most important things you can do when you have a loved one overseas on deployment is to manage your expectations. It may not look how you thought it would but there are still ways to stay connected.
While your spouse is on deployment life will go on. This means that serious things can happen that need to be discussed with your partner. However, talking about these in the wrong setting or the wrong way can cause issues. You will want to take some time to set up a plan with your spouse before they deploy for how these issues will be handled. It may mean that you have a dedicated communication channel or a set phrase that lets them know you are moving on to a more serious conversation. Here are a few tips for discussing the harder life issues you have to approach with your spouse.
Kids can have a hard time understanding the implications of deployment. For kids it can feel like the parent they were used to seeing is just gone. No matter how much prepping you do, this can still be a difficult transition for them. There are some ways for the kids to stay connected to their deployed parent.
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