Marriage and family are a way of life for many service members in today’s military. When family members feel supported and valued, they more easily contribute to the service member’s mission readiness and to successful retention. That’s why it’s important for you and your family members to have good information and support as you make a life together in the military. Use these articles and resources to help you manage challenges along the way.

• Keeping Your Marriage Relationship Strong

• Communicating as a Couple
• Deciding to Live On or Off the Installation as a Couple or Family
• Marriage Enhancement Programs through the Military Services

• Starting Your Family

• Becoming a New Father While You’re Deployed
• Becoming a New Father as a Service Member
• Becoming a New Mother as a Service Member
• Caring for a New Baby
• Having a Baby When Your Spouse is Deployed
• The New Parent Support Program
• What You Should Know about Your Family’s Medical History

• Finding Child Care

• Choosing a Caregiver for Your Child While You're Deployed
• Community-based Child Care for Military Families through Child Care Aware of America
• Military Child Care Programs
• Questions to Ask about Military Child Care Waiting Lists
• Thinking about Child Care Options for your Family

• Raising Resilient Children

• Building the Resilience of Your Military Family
• Communicating with Children
• Family Resilience Protective Factors
• Healthy Parenting during a Move
• Helping School-Age Children Deal with Your Deployment
• Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem
• Helping Your Preschooler Deal with Your Deployment

• Parenting a Child with Special Needs

• Early Intervention Services
• Exceptional Family Member Program
• Getting an Evaluation for a Child with Special Needs
• Individualized Education Program
• Moving to a New Duty Station with a Family Member with Special Needs
• Special Education: An Overview
• Specialized Training of Military Parents

• Exploring Adoption

• Adopting While Living Overseas as a Military Family
• Adoption Benefits and Allowances
• Adoption for Military Families
• Exploring Adoption

• Guiding Your Teenager Toward Adulthood

• Communicating with Your Teen
• Helping Your Teenager Cope with Relocation
• Money Management
• Preparing Your Teen for Adulthood
• Programs for Military Youth and Teens

• Supporting Your Child's Education

• Coping with Standardized Testing Systems When You Change Schools
• On-Installation Schools
• Scholarships and Financial Assistance for Military Students
• School Liaison Officer
• Supporting Your Child's Education at Home
• The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

• Dealing with Serious Marriage and Family Challenges

• Domestic Abuse and Where to Find Help
• Helping a Child Manage Fears after a Traumatic Event
• Recognizing the Signs of Child Abuse
• When Your Family Member Is Diagnosed with a Serious Medical Condition