See the Families section of this website.

LEARN ALL YOU CAN ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S LIFE WHILE YOU WERE GONE. Let them share pictures, crafts, stories and memories.

BE PATIENT W/YOUR CHILD AND YOURSELF. You can’t make up the time missed, overnight. It will take time for your child to reconnect w/you, trust you and rebond to you. Frustration, as a parent, is normal. Violence and verbal abuse is never acceptable.

NEGOTIATE YOUR ROLE AS A PARENT. While you were gone your spouce or your child's guardian set the pace as a parent.  You can't take over all at once.  Work your way back into the parent role...a step at a time. Respect what was done while you were gone.

REMEMBER THIS IS A CHILD, NOT A SOLDIER! Learn the developmental stage your child is in and use age-appropriate parenting techniques. ‘One size doesn’t fit all.” Your child is unique, so parent uniquely.

DO ACCEPT GUIDANCE FROM YOUR SPOUSE OR YOUR CHILD’S GUARDIAN. You’ve been Soldiering for a long time. You need some retraining. Listen to the person with the most experience with your child.

TAKE A PARENTING CLASS W/YOUR CHILD. You learned to become a warrior..you can learn how to be a better parent. Your local school district will have information on parenting classes. Sign up and invest in your child’s welfare.

See the Families section of this website.

Reconnecting with your parents...if you are a single Soldier

BE PATIENT W/YOUR PARENTS. They want to reconnect with you, but may not know how.

NEGOTIATE NEW ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES. Your parents may want you to be the way you were before you left. That isn’t possible. Let them know, up front and patiently, the new relationship you want to have with them. Help them define new boundaries and new ways to relate to you.

SHARE WITH THEM WHAT IS APPROPRIATE. Do not shut your parents out of your life. Share what you can with them about your combat duty. Let them know your plans and your whereabouts.

IF YOU HAVE YOUNGER SIBLINGS…..Be respectful of your parents rules for them and be aware that you are a role model, whether you want to be or not, for your siblings. Remember…your army ‘language’ may not be appropriate for your siblings….

CELEBRATE-Realize your parents sacrificed a lot while you were gone. They worried about you and supported you. Celebrate their accomplishments and thank them for their support.

ANTICIPATE-That your parents may want to celebrate your return and want to reconnect you with your relatives and their friends. This may be overwhelming for you. Make your parents aware of what you are comfortable with and ‘negotiate’ with them on their intentions for you.

See the Families section of this website.