Military Moms
| Military moms face unique challenges. During deployments and temporary duty, they're temporary single moms. If they're on active duty themselves, they must balance parenting with the needs of the armed forces. Add in moving, changing jobs and helping children adjust to new schools, and you've got a lifestyle that is both demanding and rewarding. Here at Type-A Mom, we know what it's like to stand in a military mom's shoes, and we're ready to share our experiences. Get tips on everything from being a frugal military mom to surviving the military lifestyle.
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Let's face it, we cannot rely on our husbands for everything, or anything sometimes. Their lives are owned by the military and in a second's notice they are up and out the door before they can even remember to tell you they won't be home for dinner. While that might be a little drastic, the truth is military wives need to network with other military wives.
May 8th is Military Spouse Appreciation day. A day where everyone is supposed to stop what they're doing, bow down to the military spouse and say "thank-you" for the sacrifices made to give their loved ones peace of mind. The military spouse is an amazing being that has to be a single parent, run a household, revolve around another's career, and wonder whether or not that loved one will come home after a long 6-18month deployment.
American liberty is freedom to be and exist. Why do so many people take it as freedom to offend and discourage? Members of the military and their family give up their own liberty to protect and defend that of perfect strangers who it turn pity and offend. President Barrack Obama apologized to the servicemembers in multiple speeches saying their efforts in Iraq are appreciated, though were wrong, and he feels bad they had to go in and fight. They were only doing their jobs after all, and weren't allowed to say no.
Deployments are hard, heart wrenching, and go by painfully slow. Many wives choose to lock up and leave their homes to go back to their home towns. This might seem like a good idea, but it has many drawbacks. Next time your husband goes on deployment, consider staying in town to help other wives in your command, and get support from those that have been there before.
Being a military mom you have to find positive and creative ways to involve the children deployments. A good way to get the kids involved is to create a deployment countdown. This is literally just counting down the days in an interactive and fun way.
It's not that I am anti-military, anti-war, or any of those labels one may associate with a woman like myself. OK, maybe I am some of those things. It's that I am actually anti-label but living in a town of labels, a world of labels.
I've moved 10 times since my husband began his Navy career. Staying in touch with family and friends as I unpack and repack my belongings is a real challenge. Lately, I've had great success with some of the most popular social networks, particularly Twitter. Joining Twitter has even helped boost my freelance writing career. But, as a military mom, I know that I have to be extra-careful when communicating via social networks.
My son is beginning to look at colleges. We're touring local campuses and thinking about next fall's application process. I'm also thinking about how to pay for his education. Just yesterday, though, I learned about a scholarship program for spouses and children of active duty military members.
Read more: College Scholarships for Military Spouses and Children
Like many military moms around the country, I have friends who are looking for work. Some have been laid off, while others are leaving the military and seeking jobs in the civilian sector. If you're a job-hunting military mom, you have valuable, free resources available to you, courtesy of your local military base.
Read more: Use Military Career Search Resources to Find Your Next Job
Many of my friends are in what I call "Orders Limbo." Their husbands are preparing to transfer some time this summer, but they have no idea where they're headed. Waiting for transfer orders is one of the most frustrating parts of being a military mom, whether you're on active duty or are a military spouse.
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