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Tips for preparing young children for long parental absence?
I am preparing to go away on a 9 month deployment overseas. I leave behind 2 children (3 yo daughter and 7 yo son with their father). My older boy has been through a deployment when his father went away for 6 months a few years ago with no ill effects, and moreover, he is a lot closer to his father. My daughter, on the other hand, is VERY close to me and does not understand that I will be away for a long time. I have been away on business before, but the max time has been around 5 days. It breaks my heart that I will be away from them, but if I can do anything to make the time go by in an easier fashion, or at least hear about what to expect, I can prepare myself. Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
- ?Lv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
Voice recording yourself while reading a story book is a fantastic idea. There are stuffed animals where you can record your voice. Perhaps a nice good night message would help her at the end of the day.
You could also sit down and write a bunch of notes or draw pictures. When she is missing you, someone can give her a note you left behind. You can skype as much as you can as well.
One of my friends plays a game with her son. They have a bunch of little rubber ducks, like the size of a half dollar coin. They hide the ducks in the house in very unlikely places for one another to find. Perhaps you can do something like that so she finds special reminders of you while you are away.
The wonderful thing about children is that they are resilient. I am a mom and I think I would be more out of sorts leaving my child than my child would be without me!! So, remember to take some reminders with you to keep your kids close to you as well.
While I have your attention, I just would like to thank you for your bravery and your dedication to our country. I admire you more than words can express.
- ?Lv 79 years ago
I have a friend who had to go away for a time (for cancer treatment) and we recorded video messages.
You can use a number of devices, including your phone, video cameras are relatively inexpensive these days and you can get one from Walmart if there is one near you. We used a "Flip It".
Leave nice little messages, happy birthdays if you will be gone during any, I love yous, have a nice day at school, whatever. You can also record some of your activities. Record for each of them and individual video message also.
Leave cards with your husband and have him pass them out, gifts etc. Also be sure to place pictures around the house.
Best Wishes.
- 9 years ago
There are books whete you can record voices. That way you can read them a book every night. You do it your self eith a voice recorder and their books they already have.
