Episode 4: They didn't sign up for this
I decided to surprise the kids with ice cream tonight for being good all day while with the sitter. After enjoying our night time treat we headed to Wallie World, for unnecessary compulsive items, passing by the airport. My son seeing the planes asked with excitement "Are we picking up daddy?" My heart broke as I, the bearer of bad news, had to tell him "not yet buddy." My husband and I knew what we were getting into. We didn't join young we were late bloomers to the life of the military. Our two oldest, which they are still young, remember the civilian life of owning a home with grandparents two blocks away and a dad that was home every night for dinner. In the past two years all our "family vacations" which that phrase is used liberally have not included him.
As a military parent it is a constant struggle knowing that your spouse is both defending your families freedom while financially providing. In an economy of 9.5% employment which is the lesser of two evils a father that is always home because he is out of a job or one that misses birthdays, dance recitals, bedtime stories and at times 6 - 18 months of their lives.
There is no real answer, kind of like which came first the chicken or the egg, but their is support.
As military spouses we can support each other, help each other, lift each other. Don't ask another spouse if they need anything when the military member is gone because we all say the same thing "No, I'm good." A friend of mine last week literally came over and said " tomorrow after Jim's doctor appointment he is going to pick up the kids. Get your stuff done they'll be fine." Your kids want a break from you as much as you want a break from them. Again they didn't sign up for this.
So everyone who's spouse is gone whether a week, a month or a year I wish you comfort, peace and the ability to not kill your kids or yourself.
As a military parent it is a constant struggle knowing that your spouse is both defending your families freedom while financially providing. In an economy of 9.5% employment which is the lesser of two evils a father that is always home because he is out of a job or one that misses birthdays, dance recitals, bedtime stories and at times 6 - 18 months of their lives.
There is no real answer, kind of like which came first the chicken or the egg, but their is support.
As military spouses we can support each other, help each other, lift each other. Don't ask another spouse if they need anything when the military member is gone because we all say the same thing "No, I'm good." A friend of mine last week literally came over and said " tomorrow after Jim's doctor appointment he is going to pick up the kids. Get your stuff done they'll be fine." Your kids want a break from you as much as you want a break from them. Again they didn't sign up for this.
So everyone who's spouse is gone whether a week, a month or a year I wish you comfort, peace and the ability to not kill your kids or yourself.
