Let me start by saying there is an overwhelming amount of resources out there for military and their families! From free babysitting services, to free entry into National Parks, to free counseling, there is a WORLD of support from people all over the place who want to help. This is my second deployment and I've just learned that half of these even exist! So I want to share some of those resources with you guys. I want to get the word out that people want us to take advantage of these awesome benefits they're offering.
We are kind of conditioned to be independent and take care of ourselves when our guys are gone. It's what comes with the role of being a military spouse. Our partner is gone and we're left on our own to take care of everything (which we're happy to do because we LOVE THIS LIFE, right??;)) We're strong women who send off our husbands and take care of the home-front- we don't need help. Well, let's face it: sometimes we do. Sometimes a little relief is just what we need to step back, take a breath and revamp.
Half the time when I tell someone my husband is deployed I get a hug, some tears and a sincere thank you. People are truly grateful for what my husband and his brothers (and sisters) in arms do, and they feel compelled to support us. There are people who offer their help to be polite, but most of the time they offer it because they really do want to!! So let them. Let them bring you dinner one night. Let them babysit your children so you can get a pedicure (or just walk around Target by yourself for an hour!) Let them mow your yard, shovel your driveway- whatever. Let them help.
So! That being said: I'm going to list a few super helpful resources out there for military families.
MilitaryOneSource is basically your one stop shop for resources. You can find just about anything you need on this site. (For FREE!) Here you've got counseling sessions, health and wellness coaches, and a plethora of sites and companies wanting to help you.
ArmyOneSource is another great site I encourage you to check out.
Also- USAA = Incredible company!
Active Duty Military and dependents- go get your FREE National Park Annual Pass!!!
For those of you with children some good sites to check out:
SitterCity is a website dedicated to finding babysitters for families. Babysitters upload their information onto the site and go through a background check, and parents looking for sitters can browse those babysitters. The site is free for military families.
ChildCareAware is a program that aids in day care. The program pays at least some in child care for working parents whose spouse is deployed. This also applies to private schools!!
For parents of soldiers:
GoArmy site has stories, answers and articles about your child being in the military.
Let's not forget our (in my opinion) strongest and most valuable resource- EACH OTHER. I might be a little biased- being the FRG leader for Hub's unit- but take advantage of your local
Family Readiness Group. Get involved!! I just came from a training event where I got to meet with other spouses and family members of our soldiers. The entire 3 hour drive home all I could think about was "how blessed am I to be a part of such a unique and incredible community?!" We always hear about the camaraderie among soldiers, but we have that, too. We, at home, are experiencing these events and emotions that only we, at home, understand. Let's lean on each other. Let's cry together about the hardships we endure. Let's laugh together about "that one time we tried using a calendar" ;) Let's encourage each other when we know exactly what each other is going through and what it takes to get through it. Let's ask for and lend helping hands amongst ourselves. This is exactly what FRG is for. We're in this together- let's get through it together.
M.
We are kind of conditioned to be independent and take care of ourselves when our guys are gone. It's what comes with the role of being a military spouse. Our partner is gone and we're left on our own to take care of everything (which we're happy to do because we LOVE THIS LIFE, right??;)) We're strong women who send off our husbands and take care of the home-front- we don't need help. Well, let's face it: sometimes we do. Sometimes a little relief is just what we need to step back, take a breath and revamp.
Half the time when I tell someone my husband is deployed I get a hug, some tears and a sincere thank you. People are truly grateful for what my husband and his brothers (and sisters) in arms do, and they feel compelled to support us. There are people who offer their help to be polite, but most of the time they offer it because they really do want to!! So let them. Let them bring you dinner one night. Let them babysit your children so you can get a pedicure (or just walk around Target by yourself for an hour!) Let them mow your yard, shovel your driveway- whatever. Let them help.
So! That being said: I'm going to list a few super helpful resources out there for military families.
MilitaryOneSource is basically your one stop shop for resources. You can find just about anything you need on this site. (For FREE!) Here you've got counseling sessions, health and wellness coaches, and a plethora of sites and companies wanting to help you.
ArmyOneSource is another great site I encourage you to check out.
Also- USAA = Incredible company!
Active Duty Military and dependents- go get your FREE National Park Annual Pass!!!
For those of you with children some good sites to check out:
SitterCity is a website dedicated to finding babysitters for families. Babysitters upload their information onto the site and go through a background check, and parents looking for sitters can browse those babysitters. The site is free for military families.
ChildCareAware is a program that aids in day care. The program pays at least some in child care for working parents whose spouse is deployed. This also applies to private schools!!
For parents of soldiers:
GoArmy site has stories, answers and articles about your child being in the military.
Let's not forget our (in my opinion) strongest and most valuable resource- EACH OTHER. I might be a little biased- being the FRG leader for Hub's unit- but take advantage of your local
Family Readiness Group. Get involved!! I just came from a training event where I got to meet with other spouses and family members of our soldiers. The entire 3 hour drive home all I could think about was "how blessed am I to be a part of such a unique and incredible community?!" We always hear about the camaraderie among soldiers, but we have that, too. We, at home, are experiencing these events and emotions that only we, at home, understand. Let's lean on each other. Let's cry together about the hardships we endure. Let's laugh together about "that one time we tried using a calendar" ;) Let's encourage each other when we know exactly what each other is going through and what it takes to get through it. Let's ask for and lend helping hands amongst ourselves. This is exactly what FRG is for. We're in this together- let's get through it together.
M.
RSS Feed