About Judy & her Blog
Judy is a winner of Top 25 Military Moms - 2012
What do you love about being a military mom?
Being a military mom is one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done. Every day is all about helping my children, my spouse and my battle buddies learn to be flexible, empowered and happy in a lifestyle that is full of change and chaos. Being a military mom presents challenges that the civilian world doesn't have to deal with, and I love the change and growth that this lifestyle brings.
I believe that my job as a parent is to educate and support my children (as well as those in my extended military family) in a way that helps them develop the skills they need to thrive in this environment. And most of all I love it when I see them express themselves, show their resiliency and grow as individuals.
What advice would you give to moms on how to build a new support circle after a move?
My biggest challenge after a move is what I call the "starting over" dilemma.Do I tackle the PCS with gusto or do I fall into the trap of "being to tired" to do it all over again? Often times multiple moves can cause many of us to hibernate for a period of time and heal the wounds of leaving our support system for an unfamiliar place. And while this seems like an easy solution, it makes it harder in the long run.
My suggestion would be to try not to get caught up in what you left behind, and meet the new experience with a positive attitude. With each move there is a new opportunity to grow as a person, develop new friendships, and have new experiences. It is important to get out there, introduce yourself and search for activities that you enjoy. And most importantly, DO NOT stay cooped up in your house checking out eveyone's facebook status!
What's a tip for helping kids cope with a parent's absence?
I really believe in the "it takes a village" philosophy and know that sometimes the thing a child needs most, especially when a parent is gone, is to know that their world is safe and secure. We can help by supporting the parent who's left behind in a way that will take some stress away, give them a break and help the kids feel taken care of.
Another thing I have found that helps with the kids is to keep them busy and focused on something positive. Maybe it's a trip to the zoo once a month or an afternoon at a friends. Keeping them from "sulking" and focusing on what's missing keeps them from finding a healthy realistic perception of this lifestyle.
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