How Do You Celebrate Holidays With Kids Whose Military Parents Are Deployed?
Holidays are stressful on many occasions. During holidays, children with one or both parents in the military face obstacles that other children don’t. Holidays are even more of a challenge for kids who are coping with stress already. Different ages of children show different reactions. Make the most of holidays with these children. Caregivers must care for themselves. It is difficult for someone used to having a support system to be the sole parent, even more so for grandparents or other caregivers. Make sure health concerns are addressed. Seek support for overwhelming events. Talk to children about the parent who is deployed and the holiday in terms they can understand. Preschool aged children will need basic information. As a child gets older and understands more, there will be more of a chance to talk about feelings and the challenges of being apart. Honest conversation will be more productive than putting up a false front of happiness. Honor traditions. As much as possible, uphold
