Personal stories, practical ideas, and checklists help readers know what to expect, how to prepare, and how to personally grow as individuals and families. Updated second edition includes new information about longer repeat and multiple deployments, self-care and wellness, and stories and examples from recent conflicts.

Military families face stressful times that are unique to the military lifestyle. One of the most challenging situations, both for children and parents, is when a father, mother, or sibling is deployed for military service and must be away from the home. Children often experience sadness, anger, fear, anxiety, and loneliness, and they do not understand their own feelings or know how to express them. This book is designed to help children especially, but also their parents, during such difficult times. Based on many years of experience as a social worker, who has assisted military families experiencing stress, author Beth Andrews has created an excellent tool for allowing children and their loved ones to deal with the many emotions caused by deployment. The text and illustrations encourage children to discuss their feelings and to draw their own pictures to express themselves. The accompanying parents'' guide is designed to validate parents'' feelings and give them ways to help their children cope. Guided by this approach, a parent or caregiver can help their children understand why one of their parents or a sibling had to leave home, identify their reactions, cope with their feelings in a positive way, be assured that they are not alone, and try new activities to help themselves adjust. At a time when military families are asked to make many sacrifices in the service of their country, this reassuring book will be a welcome resource.

Created especially for military kids, this popular journal offers comforting words and a special place to express feelings during the deployment of a parent or any loved one from any service branch. Young journal keepers will find encouragement for difficult days, ideas for healthy activities, and plenty of journaling pages to express their feelings and record experiences through words and pictures. New and updated edition! Fun new design Enhanced writing prompts Ideas for keeping in touch New goal-setting pages New feelings pages Glossary and fun facts about military life

A personal journal for anyone who has a loved one deployed with the military. Gentle journal writing prompts and encouraging sayings guide you through deployment and homecoming. Keeping Track section in the back helps you log milestones, communication, and special moments. Textured warm yellow Pellaq cover with yellow ribbon.

The U.S. military has been continuously engaged in foreign conflicts for over two decades. The strains that these deployments, the associated increases in operational tempo, and the general challenges of military life affect not only service members but also the people who depend on them and who support them as they support the nation â€" their families. Family members provide support to service members while they serve or when they have difficulties; family problems can interfere with the ability of service members to deploy or remain in theater; and family members are central influences on whether members continue to serve. In addition, rising family diversity and complexity will likely increase the difficulty of creating military policies, programs and practices that adequately support families in the performance of military duties. Strengthening the Military Family Readiness System for a Changing American Society examines the challenges and opportunities facing military families and what is known about effective strategies for supporting and protecting military children and families, as well as lessons to be learned from these experiences. This report offers recommendations regarding what is needed to strengthen the support system for military families.

In April of 2017, Jayden M. Semotan’s life changed greatly. After learning his mom was being deployed for more than six months, he had so many questions. Would she die? Would she go to war? As a nine-year-old boy, he didn’t know how to handle his feelings. Having his mom deployed was very different than having his dad go. A Green Light for Mom chronicles his journey of emotions, frustrations, and struggles as he survives the challenges of a parent’s deployment. Jayden tells how he experienced significant life events without having his mom to share them with, like his first double-digit birthday, travels to Florida with only his dad, graduating from fourth grade, and all the ups and downs of his sports involvement. Jayden also shares how he and his dad had an opportunity to travel to the other side of the world to see his mom. In the end, Jayden realizes he can overcome tough times. He learns that true strength comes from family.

Nearly 1.9 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2001. Many service members and veterans face serious challenges in readjusting to normal life after returning home. This initial book presents findings on the most critical challenges, and lays out the blueprint for the second phase of the study to determine how best to meet the needs of returning troops and their families.