1-Send as many letters and boxes as you possibly can. I did this weekly. Involve your church families and your communities. Regardless of if your soldier shows it or not, it's always important for them to know they are supported at home.
2-Do not allow yourself to be consumed by the news. I stopped watching years ago, and it has freed me from so many moments of unnecessary worry.
3-Most people WILL NOT remember that your child is overseas. It honestly shocked me how little I was asked about mine. Then I realized that it isn't intentional. Others just do not understand how much it means for your child to be thought of, until they go through it themselves. I remember apologizing many times to a close friend of mine, for not inquiring more about her son while he was in Iraq, after my child's deployment.
4-The unknowns are the hardest part. Not knowing when your child is in the air. Not knowing when they're on the ground and what soil they are on. Not knowing if it is safe or if they are safe. Not being able to speak to them for days at a time. This is where my faith was increased the most. Trusting that God knows all that I couldn't possibly, and believing He is protecting them through it all.
5-Even if you aren't an emotional person, you will find yourself feeling things you've never felt before. Everytime I mailed out a package and I wrote Africa on the label, my eyes would fill up with tears. Do not do what I did and hold it all inside. Find someone who understands where you are and seek their counsel. If you don't have that person, let me be that for you.
6-You may become reactive to others complaining about their (in your mind) minimal problems. You mean you are complaining about being tired when I've been up for days not being able to locate my baby?!? That was where my mind went most of the time. It's important to understand it's okay to feel like you are living on the edge, because your heart honestly is.
7-We never forget our children are away from us, but it's important to wear a reminder. I have a special bracelet that was given to me by my aunt. Randomly throughout the day, when I looked down at it, it was the perfect reminder to pray for my girl.
8-From the moment you get the first call, your world will stand still. People will be going about their daily routines as normal, but you will feel as if you are stuck in a waiting area. It's hard to enjoy holidays or even breakfast knowing your child is being denied those things we take for granted.
9-When in doubt on if God will keep your soldier safe, start thanking Him for all the times He already has. This is where your strength to make it through each day comes from.
10-You will be SO proud. It doesn't matter what job your child has, or what foreign land they are in. They are putting their lives on hold, and yours too, so that the rest of our country can live freely. You will be proud of them mostly, but also proud of yourself for making it through the hardest days of parenting, thus far.
Lastly, if you don't have a child overseas, take the time to check on your momma friends that do. They are not okay. And somedays they just need someone to show them how much they care!
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