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Coping With Deployment

Deployment can be difficult for your family. Try to communicate with your family members any feelings and concerns you may have prior to, during, and after deployment and encourage them to do the same. Set aside time to discuss the deployment as a family. Communicating will help everyone to better cope.

Although you may be very busy while deployed, it is important for you and your family and friends to stay in touch. Try to set aside time on a regular basis to communicate with them.

It’s not uncommon to experience emotional difficulty during and after your deployment. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you do. There are support resources available to you and people who can help.

Children and Deployment

Deployment of a parent or family member can be particularly difficult for children. Here are some ways to help children cope.

• Communicate with children about an impending deployment and encourage them to express their feelings and concerns. Children may take the separation personally so try to assure them that the deployment is not the result of anything they’ve done wrong.
• Research the deployment destination with your children. This will help them to understand and accept the deployment.
• Involve children in activities such as projects and hobbies to help pass the time and take their mind off the deployment. Look for activities that help take the place of those activities they enjoyed with the deployed family member.
• Monitor children’s behavior for emotional problems and inform teachers of the deployment.

Support Resources

• • Coping with Emotional Stress
• • Transition to Family Life
• • Emotional Support Tips
• • Coping with Deployment