Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Communicating with children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress. Use the checklist below as a guide for talking with children about deployment.

As a Parent, I:

___ Help my children count down the days.

___ Tell my children what I can about the deployed parent's mission.

___ Allow my children to ask questions and give open and honest answers in words they can understand.

___ Show patience when my children ask the same questions and I repeat the same answers.

___ Encourage my children to share feelings through words, play, drawings, etc.

___ Listen sensitively to my children's concerns.

___ Am aware of my emotional reactions around my children and do not rely on them for support.

___ Remind my children and myself that separation can be a time for everyone to grow.

___ Help my children communicate with the deployed parent.

___ Help my children send artwork, homemade cookies, cards, and small gifts to the deployed parent.

___ Make a weekly family newspaper or audio tape to send to the deployed parent.

___ Send e-mails regularly and include digital pictures when possible.

___ Keep the deployed parent in family conversations and involved in all family decisions.

___ Maintain communication with my children's teachers, childcare providers, and others about the deployment.

___ Watch for signs of stress in my children (nightmares; excessive worry; anxiety about being away from home; anxiety about going to school or other activities; stomach aches, headaches, and other complaints; withdrawal; lack of interest; acting out; and sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits).

___ Seek professional help, if needed.

 Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Communicating with children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress. Use the checklist below as a guide for talking with children about deployment.

As a Parent, I:

___ Help my children count down the days.

___ Tell my children what I can about the deployed parent's mission.

___ Allow my children to ask questions and give open and honest answers in words they can understand.

___ Show patience when my children ask the same questions and I repeat the same answers.

___ Encourage my children to share feelings through words, play, drawings, etc.

___ Listen sensitively to my children's concerns.

___ Am aware of my emotional reactions around my children and do not rely on them for support.

___ Remind my children and myself that separation can be a time for everyone to grow.

___ Help my children communicate with the deployed parent.

___ Help my children send artwork, homemade cookies, cards, and small gifts to the deployed parent.

___ Make a weekly family newspaper or audio tape to send to the deployed parent.

___ Send e-mails regularly and include digital pictures when possible.

___ Keep the deployed parent in family conversations and involved in all family decisions.

___ Maintain communication with my children's teachers, childcare providers, and others about the deployment.

___ Watch for signs of stress in my children (nightmares; excessive worry; anxiety about being away from home; anxiety about going to school or other activities; stomach aches, headaches, and other complaints; withdrawal; lack of interest; acting out; and sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits).

___ Seek professional help, if needed.

 Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Reassuring children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress. Use the checklist below as a guide when reassuring children about deployment.

As a Parent, I:

___ Realize that my children might feel and display a variety of emotions during this time.

___ Let my children know it is okay to share whatever they are feeling.

___ Let my children know that other children share similar feelings when their parents are deploying.

___ Keep my children from viewing graphic media reports of military conflict that might raise their stress levels.

___ Help my children sort out what they see or hear about military action and tell them the difference between what is real and what is not.

___ Keep my children as close as possible to a caregiver or me during times of danger so they feel safe.

___ Remind my children that they are safe and cared for while the deployed parent is away.

___ Remind my children that the deployed parent will do everything he or she can to stay safe.

___ Keep a positive attitude toward the mission of the deployed parent.

___ Read books with my children about separation.

___ Give each child lots of reassuring hugs.

___ Comfort my children who have nightmares or trouble sleeping.

___ Talk about the special things we can do once the deployed parent returns.

___ Watch for signs of stress in my children (nightmares; excessive worry; anxiety about being away from home; anxiety about going to school or other activities; stomach aches, headaches; withdrawal; lack of interest; acting out; and sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits).

___ Seek professional help, if needed.

Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Reassuring children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress. Use the checklist below as a guide when reassuring children about deployment.

As a Parent, I:

___ Realize that my children might feel and display a variety of emotions during this time.

___ Let my children know it is okay to share whatever they are feeling.

___ Let my children know that other children share similar feelings when their parents are deploying.

___ Keep my children from viewing graphic media reports of military conflict that might raise their stress levels.

___ Help my children sort out what they see or hear about military action and tell them the difference between what is real and what is not.

___ Keep my children as close as possible to a caregiver or me during times of danger so they feel safe.

___ Remind my children that they are safe and cared for while the deployed parent is away.

___ Remind my children that the deployed parent will do everything he or she can to stay safe.

___ Keep a positive attitude toward the mission of the deployed parent.

___ Read books with my children about separation.

___ Give each child lots of reassuring hugs.

___ Comfort my children who have nightmares or trouble sleeping.

___ Talk about the special things we can do once the deployed parent returns.

___ Watch for signs of stress in my children (nightmares; excessive worry; anxiety about being away from home; anxiety about going to school or other activities; stomach aches, headaches; withdrawal; lack of interest; acting out; and sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits).

___ Seek professional help, if needed.

Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Maintaining routines with children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress. Use the checklist below as a guide for maintaining routines during deployment.

As a Family, We:

___ Keep family routines as normal as possible.

___ Celebrate special events together.

___ Each accept responsibility for chores.

___ Volunteer to help people in need.

___ Keep busy doing productive activities.

___ Find time to talk about feelings.

___ Maintain family rules while the deployed parent is away.

___ Include the deployed parent in all family decisions.

___ Give everyone time to adjust to the change at their own rate and in their own way.

Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Maintaining routines with children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress. Use the checklist below as a guide for maintaining routines during deployment.

As a Family, We:

___ Keep family routines as normal as possible.

___ Celebrate special events together.

___ Each accept responsibility for chores.

___ Volunteer to help people in need.

___ Keep busy doing productive activities.

___ Find time to talk about feelings.

___ Maintain family rules while the deployed parent is away.

___ Include the deployed parent in all family decisions.

___ Give everyone time to adjust to the change at their own rate and in their own way.

Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members. Caring for yourself during this time of uncertainty can help you be a better parent for your children. Use the checklist below as a guide for taking care of yourself while a parent is deployed.

As a Parent, I:

___ Remember that the better I care for myself, the better I will be able to meet my children's needs.

___ Make sure I am getting enough rest.

___ Make sure I maintain good nutrition.

___ Make sure I am getting enough exercise.

___ Join a military or community group to get involved.

___ Join a support group for emotional support.

___ Talk with others who can relate to my situation.

___ Reach out to old and new friends and relatives.

___ Connect with other families dealing with deployment.

___ Try to find time for myself.

___ Try to do something I've never done before. Cook a new recipe or learn a new sport, hobby, or computer program.

___ Learn ways I can be more independent.

___ Reward myself for handling single-parenting and doing a good job.

___ Remind myself during stressful times that the situation is temporary.

___ Seek professional help, if needed.

Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.

Deployment is a stressful time for all family members. Caring for yourself during this time of uncertainty can help you be a better parent for your children. Use the checklist below as a guide for taking care of yourself while a parent is deployed.

As a Parent, I:

___ Remember that the better I care for myself, the better I will be able to meet my children's needs.

___ Make sure I am getting enough rest.

___ Make sure I maintain good nutrition.

___ Make sure I am getting enough exercise.

___ Join a military or community group to get involved.

___ Join a support group for emotional support.

___ Talk with others who can relate to my situation.

___ Reach out to old and new friends and relatives.

___ Connect with other families dealing with deployment.

___ Try to find time for myself.

___ Try to do something I've never done before. Cook a new recipe or learn a new sport, hobby, or computer program.

___ Learn ways I can be more independent.

___ Reward myself for handling single-parenting and doing a good job.

___ Remind myself during stressful times that the situation is temporary.

___ Seek professional help, if needed.

Download a PDF version of this document suitable for printing and distribution.