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A Deployed Parent
Helping Babies and the Homefront Parent Adapt
By Mark Stackpole
Anyone can make an appointment for an oil change, but being an effective mother and father for a baby or toddler is a rather unique challenge. Since Michael does not have regular access to the Internet or telephone, he writes as often as he can but doesn't have a way to stay completely current on family issues and baby milestones.
"Not having my husband around to raise our daughter has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to endure," Good says. "You cannot prepare yourself for your husband missing your baby's first word, first time eating cereal, first time standing on her own. You can't prepare yourself for any of it, and when she does all of these things, it makes it sink in even more that Daddy is away."
Despite missing him and worrying about him, and despite everything that he is missing right now, Good chooses to focus on all of the great things that he will be a part of upon his return. Though he might not see Haylie's first step, he will see her walk. She might not remember him at first, but they will be able to connect again as father and daughter. Good has the utmost faith that he will be coming home, and that is what keeps her going.
Faith, love and support are obvious keys to helping a family get through a difficult situation like a military deployment, and being attentive to even the smallest of details is an important art of demonstrating them to a young child.
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