I am sure there are endless lists of why it is challenging to raise children in the military, but I want to share why I am thankful for the military life with our children.
For starters, we are incredibly thankful for the way the military has taken care of our family when it comes to our children. When we were 10 months into our three-year orders overseas, our two-year-old (at the time) was diagnosed with autism. The military was able to move and change my husbands orders to better accommodate the services we needed for our son. At the time, I was also pregnant with our youngest son, and our orders were actually expedited so we could move before he was born and before the cut off for flying that far during pregnancy. I know often times, things do not always work out so timely or orderly. That is not saying there were not issues that came up during that process, but I am very thankful that we were able to have the help within the military system to get things done when needed for OUR situation. After moving back to the states, we were able to quickly get everything set up for appointments and services for our entire family, and in time for our youngest to be born. I am thankful, that during what is a stressful situation for anyone, the services we have in the military such as EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program), made that transition much easier for our family.
Because of sudden changes, military life has taught my children resiliency early on in life. Military children are the most resilient individuals around. Most of the changes in their life are beyond their control, and yet, they still find a way to make he best of everything. Even at a young age, my children have learned to adapt to the many changes of their life, from schedules, moving several times, my husbands inconsistent work schedule at times, and the people they meet. Changes most children would not experience outside the military life.
Military children make friends quickly, yet know the pain of having close friends move away, all-the-time! My children are no strangers to this at all. Sure, it is difficult to explain to a four-year-old why he cannot see his best pal or go to their house like he use to do. But when I explain that they have moved just like we have, he just seems to “get it,” and that I am thankful for.
I am so thankful that the military is a community. I know that when we move to a new area, but with the military, there are programs and events for my children to be involved within the community. I am thankful that within weeks of moving back to the states, my son was able to continue his same soccer program that he participated with in Japan. I am thankful that when we go to the new events, my child isn’t the “new kid” and is welcomed like he has always been there, because all these children have been in the same situation.
I am incredibly thankful of the experiences my children have had the opportunity to experience. My oldest was able to fly on a C-130 when we were stationed in Japan to fly to visit our friends living on mainland Japan over Thanksgiving. We were able to spend a week with them and our children were able to play together just as they had before moving there. Living overseas is even an experience most adults do not even get the opportunity to experience. I hope that one day my children grow to understand and appreciate this life. I want them to know how thankful we are for this life and what it has given to our family.
2 Comments
Love this! Lately my top military-life blessing has been our incredible health insurance and doctors at Walter Reed! This life is hard but the people, places, and opportunities the military provides are priceless.
Yes! Don’t worry thats on my list as well. Our healthcare is an incredible blessing and I cannot wait to share why I am thankful for that later in this series.