JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Military and Family Support Center hosted a session about the impact of deployment on children April 13, 2015, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Two Military and Family Life Counselors spoke to the group about the behaviors and emotions that some kids display while a parent is deployed.
Since 1986, the military has designated April as the Month of the Military Child. Presently, there are more than 2.7 million people serving in the Armed Forces. Many of those men and women serving have children that, in a sense, are also "serving."
"Deployments are hard for kids to understand, different ages require different things. It's important to keep up routines while parents are deployed and keep rules the same," said Air Force spouse, Ashley Frevert. "My older kids like to keep a journal of their feelings. Sometimes they might need to talk to a counselor or another child who has been through it."
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, 43 percent of active duty service members have children. Many of those children have to deal with the deployment of one or both parents.
The MFLCs shared with parents that kids aren't often able to articulate their feelings, so it's very important to look for signs and changes in behavior. The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder points out that behavioral changes younger children may exhibit are separation anxiety, temper tantrums and changes in eating habits.
As a child gets older they may exhibit a decline in academic performance, mood changes, physical complaints, angry outbursts, withdrawal or signs of apathy. These are warning signs that the MFLCs urge parents to be sensitive to.
At JBA, there are events, classes and programs readily available to military parents that are preparing to deploy.
Tech. Sgt. Amanda Mocanu and Master Sgt. Jodi Jefferson, both 11th Force Support Squadron readiness NCOs at the M&FSC, assist service members and their loved ones with pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment support. They provide information for programs offered to families, such as Hearts Apart, Give Parents a Break, and United Through Reading.
While being deployed can bring about a stressful time for families, it's also a time for families to look for ways to keep the lines of communication open.
"Have something special that you can share with them. Starting a tradition that you can carry on through any other deployments is great such as recording a book or making a Build-a-Bear," Frevert said. "Keep in contact with the kids as much as you can and ask them about stuff at home, just to keep the communication open".
The MFLCs recommend that parents should keep their children talking. Talk about the parent that isn't present. Make sure that the child is expressive. If you're in a military community, get the family involved.
According to the National Center for PTSD, the parent who stays behind can often face increased family responsibilities, financial issues, isolation and fear for their spouse's safety. This can cause anxiety, loneliness, sadness and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
Frevert seconds that notion.
"Developing a group of people or friends is the most important thing while a spouse is deployed," she said. "It is a lifeline with people who know what you are going through. Also, it is important for the kids to have their friends as well, for the same reasons."
The M&FSC want members and their families to know that no matter where they are, if they have a service member they love who is gone for an extended period of time they will be there for in any way possible.
"Parents are not alone during deployment despite their loved one being halfway across the world," Mocanu said. "Stopping by the M&FSC often is really a great idea for all members. There are programs for every person of every dynamic to participate in and grow from."
To get information on the upcoming programs, visit the Joint Base Andrews Military and Family Support Center Facebook page or call 301-981-7087.
Contributions from the Department of Veteran Affairs and the National Center for PTSD websites.