When Daddy’s Away For The Holidays
We’ve become a military family recently. It was unexpected but after really looking at the special position being offered to my husband, who knows many different languages, we had to go for it. Daddy will be here for Christmas, but on the cusp of the New Year, he’ll be leaving for boot camp.
I am trying to focus on the quality time we are blessed to have before he leaves. I plan to take lots of videos of him and our little girl playing together so I can play them over and over for our daughter while he’s gone. She just loves watching videos of herself. I’m sort of glad she’s still too little for his absence to affect her much, but I know somehow it still will, as he is a very hands-on dad.
I’m not looking forward to it, but I’m lucky to have him for Christmas this year. I’m not so sure that’ll happen next year, as he may be in Iraq. How do other families do it? Military or non-military, when the other parent is away for such an important time of the year, there is surely something lacking. Even now, despite my best attempt to get into the Christmas spirit, I am still “off”.
All I know is that I’ve got to keep a chin up and a cheerful attitude, so that my daughter can feel how special this time is. I must impart to her that even when Dad’s away, he’s with us in spirit.
Enjoy the holidays everybody, and cherish your loved ones. Not everyone spends their Christmas with friends and family. And some of them spend it in enemy territory.
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Melissa H says...
Support support support. Look for it anywhere that it is offered. Join the family readiness group that is attached to your husband’s deployment group. It is a group of moms and wives just like you. If there isn’t one…. start one. There are other women who need the same help. If you live close to your in-laws or parents enlist them to help. See if they will take the baby for a day or a weekend. Grampa and Grandma on Dad’s side will be just as focused as you on keeping Daddy as an active part of life. Start buying phone cards now! Use them. Have your daughter help to make boxes to send overseas to your husband. Tell her that you are sending long distance kisses and hugs and have her draw a picture a day. Take a picture a day and send it by e-mail. Get a Flat Daddy! You can get one free if he is sent overseas. Sit that thing at the dinner table and take it to the park with you. Take pictures of her with it and send it to daddy. I have a million other ideas for you…. but so little time and space. If you get creative you will find a million ways that I haven’t thought of yet. But reach out for the help where you can find it. Churches often have groups of ladies that can help out with babysitting. Remember YOU though. Take the time to make sure that you are okay. You are not just the mommy of a little girl whose daddy is gone… you are also the wife of a soldier who is gone and so you have to remember yourself. Do little things to keep your chin up… You’ll get through it. It seems a lot longer than it is…. each day leads to the next and pretty soon it is over and behind you.
MrsH says...
Melissa you have wonderful and helpful suggestions. Thank you for them, I’m crying just reading the flat daddy part.
Science-mom says...
Aw, T…Hugs to you and M and all the best.