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Home › Articles › Family Life › A Deployed Parent

A Deployed Parent

Helping Babies and the Homefront Parent Adapt

By Mark Stackpole

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

More specifically, Fraga suggests book reading, journaling, walks and getting to know other spouses in the military unit to help create a supportive network. Having people around you, and knowing that it is OK to ask them for help, can be reassuring to a parent on the homefront.

When Jenna Good needs reassurance, she has a singular image that springs into her mind and improves her morale and confidence. "As we were preparing for this deployment, I became very worried," she says. "I was very scared for my husband's safety. I kept praying for some kind of relief from all of the horrible thoughts that I was having, and finally on the day of his deployment, I got some. Michael and I went to check the mail, and he got out and went to our mailbox in our apartment complex. Those mailboxes are huge, so all I could see were his boots underneath the mailbox. It was almost instantly that I got chills, and I just knew everything was going to be OK, and that I was going to see those boots underneath our mailbox again. To me, it was God giving me a hug and letting me know that I did not have to be scared, and that he was absolutely coming home."

Sending the Love

Even though it isn't always easy for military families to stay in touch with their deployed loved ones, Jenna and Haylie Good put all of their efforts into letting Michael know that he is in their hearts.

"I try to send my husband a package at least every other week," Good says. "I haven't been able to be particularly creative yet because he's been out in the field; they've basically been on the move, so anything I send him needs to be small, and he needs to be able to fit it in his pack. I have quite a few ideas though that I plan on doing once he is back on base."

A recent 4th of July package included pictures of Haylie wearing a T-shirt with homemade messages – "I Miss You, Daddy" – with an American Flag on the front and "My Daddy, My Hero in Afghanistan" on the back. A Father's Day photo shoot resulted in a huge collage with pictures of Haylie wearing her dad's cammies and cover.

One of her plans for the future is to send Michael themed care packages. The themes are only limited by the imagination and knowledge of what will be meaningful to your loved one. (Remember not to include any breakables and all food items should be non-perishable.) These are some of the ideas that she is working on:

  • To Be a Kid Again: Filled with silly string, bubbles, bouncy balls, hacky sacks, brain teaser toys, playing cards, dominoes and other fun things they can use in their spare time.
  • Thanksgiving in a Box: For the holiday season, canned turkey, instant mashed potatoes, snack-size apple pies, a can of corn or any other canned vegetables. (On a related note, she suggests a "Christmas in July" box.)
  • Congrats on Your Promotion: Includes party favors, favorite snacks and anything else that makes a loved one feel special.

    One final note in terms of making any package seem a little bit more special: "I always write on the outside of the packages, just little messages from Haylie and me," Good says.


    • Pages:  1  2  3  4  

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