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Military Families And Their Children

These families are ones that make sacrifices. One, a parent or both are serving in the military and are being shuffled around base-to-base in the United States and around the world. Sometimes, it's on short notice, and this can be hard for their children to understand. A permanent change in station, the military phrase for moving from one place to another, affects them and what they have become accustomed to. To see it ripped out in a matter of weeks, it hurts them to be in a strange land and make new friends and familiar places again. Here are a few things you can do to make it easier for them.

First, when knowing when the move is, tell them as you know the details. Explain why, where they are going, and guide them with the worries they will have in moving, especially if it's to another country. Moving from a base in Texas to Japan can be somewhat traumatic because of the distance in flight, the dramatic time change, and, obviously the language and culture. The more time they have, the easier it will be for them. Second, have them pack things up, so they are part of the move. Bringing their toys along and safely putting them in boxes is a comforting feeling.

Then, there's getting to the new home and having them get used to other people and their families. Of the 2 million military-connected children, 1.3 million are aged 4-18, and eighty percent of them attend public schools. That can be a little scary. So, parents should walk with them around the block to the new areas of interest and have fun with their children. Maybe a park, maybe a mall, perhaps a beach, if located close to one. A base in Hawaii or Alaska is something isolated because it's far from the mainland, but show they aren't alone. If there are groups for military children, introduce them to it when they can connect with others.

It should be known that all school districts have military-related students, and over 10 percent of these students are in special education classes. This makes things more delicate with them because a program for their needs is massively essential. You also have the 187,000 teenagers who are in school and struggle to keep up, even social media, friendships as they bounce around. Some will follow and join the military at 18, and others may become military brats and rebel, so keep an eye on the older ones too.

In all honesty, they move all the time happily, so no one can't firmly plant their roots in for too long. On average, families move three times every few years, which means radical changes from state to country and from warm to cold places is highly likely. Every year, 500,000 of these children will be switching schools, so there will be struggles for them in having to relocate multiple times just when they find their footing. So, parents should keep flexible when they help their children moving around and often. It's hard for everyone, but more for them. If they know what to expect and are comforted and lead through everything, and you answer their questions, moving can become more comfortable.

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