Being away from your child for any reason can be hard, but this is especially true for military parents. Thankfully, grandparents, aunts and uncles, family friends and loved ones can make children of service members feel more secure when their parent is deployed. Thankfully, there are innovative options that military parents can use to keep in touch with their children during their deployment. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Utilize Technology to Stay Close

Technology is being developed from time to time, and you can use it to communicate with your children.

Since children nowadays are very familiar with technology, they can easily communicate with their military parents by having instant or random calls when free or even scheduled, asking about their children through text messages.

Not only that, but there are many ways you can use technology to keep your connection with your children. Below are different apps that you can use to communicate with your child virtually:

1. Facebook Messenger: It’s a standard social media application that service members can use to talk to their children.
2. FaceTime: Apple users are able to use a built-in app on the device, which they can also use to call their children or even loved ones.
3. Zoom or Google Meet: A free and well-known app used for video conferencing that service members can use to connect virtually with their children.
4. Discord: It is used by service members to build communities, but it could also be used to connect with your children, as it also has the option to send messages and do a video conference.
5. Email: As sometimes service members do not have their phones with them, some deployment areas have computers that service members can use to send emails to their children or other family members.

There are a lot of ways to use technology to keep in touch with your child; we just have to learn how to use it.

2. Schedule Online Activities

Technology is continuously developing, so we have to maximize it as it’s a great way to maintain that connection. You can do this by scheduling regular online activities together.

Children today are very engaged with online games, and these activities can provide an opportunity for military parents to bond and have fun with their children, even from far away.

This way, you are showing your child that you value spending time with them and that you are interested in what they are engaged in, as these are the kind of moments that your child looks forward to.

3. Send the Gift of Love

When military parents are away from their children, one of the best ways to keep the bond strong is by sending little surprises to show you’re thinking of them, like care packages.

A simple box filled with things they love can brighten their day and remind them you’re still right there with them, even from afar.

You can send them their favorite snacks, a fun toy, a hoodie, or anything in general that you think will make them smile. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but what matters is that it came from you, and you have thought of them even when you’re miles away from them.

On the other hand, you can write them a letter. Tell them about how you’re doing at the base, tell them about your day, your favorite special memory with them, or simply tell them how proud you are of them, as this can mean more than a military parent knows.

With this, you can also encourage them to write back to you to keep the conversation going, and at the same time, it builds their creativity and writing skills.

Lastly, you can also send printed photos of places you have been, along with the letter. Kids love to see the world, so sharing this with them, even just through photos, would make them feel that they are also a part of your military journey.

4. Always Create Consistent Connections

Being a military parent is a tough job, especially when you have to be away from your kids. As a parent, you want to be there for them. So staying in touch is important, but it’s a matter of how you stay connected with them.

Connecting doesn’t just mean texting or calling when you have the chance, but it also means showing up for your kid/s. It can be being consistent in how you communicate, how you talk to them, and most especially, how you show your love.

As military parents, we don’t realize how much our children can pick up. They notice the tone of our voice, the time we take to listen, and if we are really present at all, even if it’s just on a screen.

Therefore, this Month of the Military Child, let’s truly build a genuine connection with them. It can help make the distance feel shorter and keep the bond strong, as being away from them is hard, but with consistency, effort, and showing up, you can still be part of their world.

Military parents always have to show up for their kids, even on duty and even when it’s hard. But there is nothing a parent wouldn’t do for their child, especially when it comes to giving them love and strength in a life that’s constantly on the move.

Read next:

• Your Ultimate Guide for Military Spouse Resources
• Homeschooling During Deployment: Tips for Military Spouses
• 5 Tips Every Milspouse Needs to Thrive During the First Deployment

Sources:

• Helping Children of Deployed Military Service Members: 11 Ideas for Maintaining Connection During Deployment