Military Parents.

[CaitlinRo]

My husband is signed on for another 12 years and my little girl is only 5 months but my husband deploys next month. I’m thinking of starting a scrapbook for my daughter to show where daddy went and what he got up to during his deployments, the letters home etc has anyone done anything similar? Can’t decide whether she’s too young to start.

She obviously won't appreciate it for a few years but my dc love looking at where dad has been and what he wrote to us. They love that he mentioned their names in his letters even when they were babies. You could get him to write, send postcards (even ones he takes with him with generic images so just sending a quick note if not somewhere likely to have tourist shops). He also saved some coins and notes from everywhere he's been and tries to get some kind of souvenir.

When dd was about 2 we bought them matching bears, he takes photos of 'his' bear wherever he is (when he can) and sends them to us (when he can) and we do the same sending pics of bear at nursery, the park, out to eat etc. it's a really simple way for them to feel really connected. They then play lots with the bears when he's home and they come out with us so we can take pics of the bears together. She's now older but still loves looking at all the bear photos - together and apart.

Make sure you grow your 'village' - find some people with the same experiences who can help you through too.

Aw this is lovely such fab advice. We have actually bought matching turtles already for pictures so it’s lovely to know that helped your dc. I think I’ll put it all in a scrapbook for her.

It’s rough old ride this miltary life so I’ll make sure I take all the help and support for her