Any suggestions on how to keep my 5mo old familiarized w/ his dad while he is away?

Kimberly - posted on 04/04/2009

I have three children and my husband has done a few deployments. One lasted 13 months. We say prayers at night but you go do this with whatever your nightly routine is. We videotaped my husband saying our nightly prayers, he then spoke to the kids (like....sweet dreams, I love you, ..etc..etc). Then every night, daddy was there to say pray with them. Also walmart and sesume street put out a dvd for kids, it is great, my kids watched it all the time. It is about Elmos daddy goes on deployment. Check out military.com it may show where you can get it.

Kendra - posted on 04/03/2009

wat helped me the best with this was photos and all the calls let him talk to dadda on the phone and hell reallize his voice. and also i put one of my husband old drill shirts in his crib so allways smell him! and it workd pretty well! at frist is was a little wierd bc he new who he was but on thru phone and pics but once he realized dad was really and could play man it was on!!!! goood luck girl if you need anyone to talk to just send me an email!

Rachel - posted on 04/02/2009

Lots of pictures! I also made a pillow case that had a picture of my husband and son on it. My son got to "sleep" with daddy and give him kisses anytime he wanted.

Crystal - posted on 04/02/2009

My husband met our third when he came home from Iraq, and she was 4 months old at the time. We had a video of him reading some stories for the kids (USO is awesome!) and I would have her look at his picture a lot. They didn't have any trouble connecting when he got home. They're best buds now!

Christy - posted on 04/01/2009

I video chat through Skype with my husband. He is in CA for school right now. My daughter (she's 3 months old) gets to see her daddy and hear his voice. She doesn't really understand what is going on, but I think it will help her when he comes home from school. Good Luck!

Jodie - posted on 03/30/2009

If you can, try to get a video from your husband to your son. It may be less confusing for him to watch a "video message" from him, as opposed to observing himself and his dad. If at all possible, VIDEO CHAT. Get a webcam. If you dont have one now or arent able to use it where he is now, you are still going to want one if he deploys or is away again. You could also record his voice. Have him read a book to him or something. That way, even if he doesnt completely get it, he will be familiar with his voice as well as his face (looking at the camera and talking directly to him makes a difference. Have him try to get him to smile and talk to him). I hope it all goes well, and Im sure it will be fine. Even if he does not recognize him at first, he will figure it out soon, and fortunately they are not missing out on their most crucial bonding time (he wont remember the first few months because he is so busy learning so many other things, but as he gets more perceptive and playful, his daddy will play a crucial role :) Good luck! And he'll be home before you know it!

Billie - posted on 03/29/2009

my hubby came home when our son was 6months old. i had a Er c-section and hubby was home from iraq for 10 days. he was there for the birth, but left 4 days later.

anyway, i took pictures every month-walmart rocks at $5!- and sent hubby pics, at that time, they had no email, webcams, just snail mail-obviously no photo developing either. He just said hi to him on the phone alot, and i had tons of pictures around his room of what daddy looked like.

your baby will be right at the age where stranger anxiety kicks in, so let hubby know that its NOT HIM, its everyone but you. lol. its 100% normal if they cry when they aren't around you.

Barbie - posted on 03/28/2009

First, I'd like to start off by saying I'm sorry for what you're going through - it's hard. We found out I was pregnant the day before my husband left for Basic & AIT, he made it home for the birth & got to stay for 3 months before having to leave for pre-mobilization training & then going straight to Iraq afterward. Whenever my husband calls, I put him on speaker phone & let the baby hear him, & they "talk" to each other. I know you don't have the luxury of much talk time, but when you do have the time, it helps. Also, pictures. I always point to my husband's pictures (esp. those of him in uniform) & repeat "Dada". We also get to talk on webcam & stuff, but in Basic & AIT I know that's not an option. I hope all works out well for you!

Heather - posted on 03/28/2009

Hello! I actually went through two deployments with my husband and had a baby with each deployment. What I did with both my children was when he could call, I would put him on speaker so they could hear his voice. We also did the build a bear with a voice recorder and had him record a message to them. Our oldest was born 4 months after he left and was nine months old when he came back. We also made home video tapes of him. Just little videos of his daddy doing something around the house and things like that. Its my best advice I can give you. We did the exact same with our youngest one. He was born a week after my husband deployed. Its just hearing the voice. They will always recognize the voice. Good luck with everything and our prayers are with you and your family!

Kelly - posted on 03/28/2009

My husband has just suggested that your husband records himself reading a story to you little one this will familiarise his voice and when daddy comes back let them have bonding time in the bath, ideal for you too have a rest and put your feet up lol and when we were seperated after our sons birth phone calls on loudspeaker really helps now our son has his make believe chats on the phone and he isn't two yet lol. Apparently some of the Welfare officers help with it if your husband enquires with his officer or you can see what they suggest. When daddy is home give over the precious one that is your son and go spoil your self in the shops that way they have to bond, And the biggest of all DON'T WORRY they know their parents >>

Veronica - posted on 03/27/2009

I think he will recognize his face and voice as well, keep pics around for him to look at occasionally, let him talk to him on the phone if possible even though ur son wont respond he should know the sound of his voice.  I wouldnt worry too much that he would be scared of his daddy he is too young for that stranger danger stuff yet anyway.  My daughter is just starting to go through that a little bit and she is 7 mos old. 

Charise - posted on 03/26/2009

Well when my son was born, my husband was in Iraq. He made it here 2 days after his birth. He was here for 2 weeks, so my son saw him up until 2 weeks. Well when my husband got back to Iraq, I would let my son hear his voice and see him on webcam. I would also show my son pictures of his father so that he would know who he was when he got back. I put on the video that my husband made for my son and daughter on his way back to Iraq and let him watch that often. It worked out well for us. my son was 6 months when my husband got back.

Cassandra - posted on 03/26/2009

Hmm, at 5 months that's a tough one. I would have to say that even though it is hard to keep his attention at that age, just the sound of his daddy's voice on a regular basis will probably help. You say you have videos, so I would play them often, even if just in the background to kepp it familiar. But since he is so young, I wouldn't worry too much! When your hubby gets back, try having him do simple things with your son like feeding him at bedtime, giving him his bath, and putting him down for the night to help ease them both back into the routine! Hope that helps! *Cassy*

Amanda - posted on 03/26/2009

He probably won't reconize his face, but if you let him sleep with a shirt that still smells like his dad, then he should reconize his smell. Kepping photos up around might help too.

Amanda