Deployment brings many challenges
to families. One
of the biggest is helping children cope when Mom
or Dad isn’t available. The information provided
here may help you make things easier during a deployment.
Impact
of Separation
- Emotions and Behavior: Children
will go through emotional and behavioral stages
of separation such as denial, anger, bargaining,
and depression. These stages may be difficult to
accept and experience; however, successful adjustment
and emotional and spiritual health demands that
we deal with them. - Reaction to Change: There will
be unexpected information flow — both negative
and positive — that will, in turn, cause
family members/Guard members to react in various
ways. Be ready to listen and answer all questions. - Roles
and Responsibilities: There will be changes in
roles of individuals as well as their responsibilities.
Family members will have to pick up the responsibility
for the role that the Guard member filled. Don’t
expect them to fill the role the same way! They aren’t
the same people. - Economics: There may be
an economic change because one family member
is now out of the home.
Click on a topic on the right for more detailed information. External links to other useful web sites are also provided.