Sharing Deployment Stories Safely: A Guide for Military Families

Deployment can be a challenging experience for military families, especially when it involves explaining the situation to your children. With the right approach, it's possible to talk about these stories in a secure and comforting way that nurtures understanding and emotional resilience within the family. This blog aims to guide you on how to safely share deployment stories with your children, offering reassurance and solidarity.

Why Share Deployment Stories with Children?

Children are incredibly perceptive and can often sense when something significant is happening, even if they don't completely understand it. Sharing deployment stories with them can have several benefits:

• Builds Trust: Open conversations foster a sense of trust and security.
• Encourages Emotional Expression: It gives children the opportunity to express their feelings and ask questions.
• Strengthens Family Bonds: Sharing experiences can bring family members closer, reinforcing their support system.

Approach Age-Appropriate Conversations

When discussing deployment with children, consider their age and emotional maturity. Tailor your conversation to ensure that it's age-appropriate and understandable:

For Young Children

Use simple language and focus on positive aspects. Explain that the deployed parent will be away but will be safe. Utilize drawings or simple stories to make the concept clearer.

For School-Age Children

Offer a little more detail and allow them to ask questions. Be honest while remaining reassuring. Share stories of daily life during deployment to help them connect and comprehend the experience.

For Teens

Discuss the deployment more openly, addressing any concerns they may have. Encourage them to express their feelings and provide them with ways to stay in touch with the deployed parent through letters, emails, or calls.

Using Storytelling as a Tool

Storytelling can be a powerful tool to make deployment stories approachable and relatable. Utilize stories to illustrate resilience, courage, and the dedication the deployed parent is showing. Books, movies, or personal anecdotes can effectively highlight these themes.

Consider creating a family deployment storybook. Each family member can contribute a page about what they've learned or felt during this time, emphasizing that everyone, including the deployed parent, is contributing to the family’s success story.

Creating a Safe Space for Questions and Emotions

Encourage your children to express their emotions and ask questions. Create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. By doing this, you enable them to process their feelings and reduce any anxiety associated with the deployment.

Assure them that it’s okay to feel sad, confused, or even angry. Validate their emotions by sharing that it’s natural to experience these feelings, and that talking about them can help the entire family support each other better.

Staying Connected Even from Afar

Maintaining a connection with the deployed parent is crucial for both the parent and the children. Use technology to your advantage by scheduling regular calls or video chats. Encourage letter writing or drawing pictures to be sent via mail or