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Parenting is as much of a challenge as it is a boon. It is a soothing experience to watch your little one grow, wiggling out of your hands to stand on their own feet. Parents put in a lot of their time and effort into their angels to help them grow into fine young adults. It is a privilege to parent a child but it is a task as well which is accomplished by a team of mother and father. Together they can inculcate all the values in their kids and develop a bond with them. But what to do when you are a military man and are deployed? Living far from your family for a phase will mean a complete absence of the father in the kids’ lives. That need not happen! You can still be a part of the parenting process despite your physical absence, Here’s how!
Make Time To Communicate
You are far from your family but that does not have to mean that you cannot communicate with them. In the tech-savvy world, there are plenty of options for you to communicate like, phone calls, video calls, text messages, emails and so on. Make time in your schedule to communicate with each of your kid as well as your spouse. These little bits of communication will make them feel that you are still close to them. Pay individual attention to each of them and see how it strengthens your bond!
Following A Proper Schedule
Though the departure of a family member is a big change in itself, you can try that at least the rest of the things don’t change. If your family follows a fixed routine of eating, dressing, going for work, etc, make sure it still continues to happen. This will bring some normalcy to the situation and kids will have a sense of security. You may add on few activities like writing emails to dad, calling him up at a fixed time or recording messages for him. These little efforts will keep the father connected to the family despite his being far!
Cohesive Decision-Making
Being away from the family does not mean you will not be involved in the decision-making for the family. The mothers must make efforts to involve the dads in the parenting process as much as possible. Though petty things can be spared but when it comes to serious things like disciplinarian issues with the child, the dad can be involved. Together you can come to a conclusion as to how will the situation be handled. But keep in mind that it does not disturb the sanity of the father. He is a soldier and if disturbed he is a danger to his own and fellow soldiers life!
Making Mementos
Deployed dads return to their families once in a while and before they leave again, they have some time to spend with them. So make the most of it and create memories that will last when you are not there. Clicking family pictures that can be viewed later is a great idea. You may also record your voice, saying something nice or maybe just a goodnight can be listened to in your absence. It will give the kids a nice warm feeling that you are still close!
Sending Care Packages
The father is far away and he also misses his family. What can the family do to make him feel connected? Send him a package full of your love. Involve the kids as well to write letters, make cards, drawings or food. Put up a package of things that he will love and send it to him. These little things can go a long way in boosting his morale. You have no idea how happy he will be on opening a package sent from his family. It will be a little way in which you can make him feel connected and loved!
A Quiet Welcome
When the deployed dad comes back, many families tend to throw a party for his welcome. That is not a very good idea as he has been away from his loved ones for a long time and needs time to be with them. Also, the kids need time to adjust to his presence. It is best to give them all some time to be together, talk and connect with each other. The little time that you can give your little ones to be with their dad before anyone else comes up is necessary to strengthen their bond!
Parenting is a blissful experience that you cannot afford to miss. It is a limited period offer and you need to grab every chance to live it. No matter how far you are from them, they are still your family and need you. Try these tips to bond with them and watch how fun it will be to be a military dad!
