Army Wife/Stay at Home Mom of 2 kids

Rebecca - posted on 02/24/2011

I understand also. I have 2 girls, one is 6 and the other will be 2 on Saturday. My oldest goes to kindergarten, by her own choice, and absolutely loves it. We have had an issue of her coming home with new nasty habits, but we sit down, and talk about the rules we have in our home, and if what she's doing is allowed at home. When she says, no it's not allowed, then i tell her that everyone has different rules, but the bottom line is that we have rules, and despite what someone else is doing, it's not ok for her to continue to do so. As for dropping her off, she practically runs me over as i open the door for her, so i feel more, un-needed than anything.
Now, i'm sure you might laugh about this, but what i do to give myself some individuality is, in the morning after i take my oldest to school, i come home, usually lay my youngest down for a small rest because she's cranky, and i put in Pussycat Dolls work-out video. It's something funny, and small, but makes me feel good after since that is my main source of working out, and i like learning the dances. Lol. Also i like baking, and have started baking around holidays, just little things, and bringing them to neighbors. If no one answers, i have a note written up, telling them my name, which apartment i'm in, and that i just wanted to say hello. I've met quite a few people by doing so. I'm not sure what exactly you're into, but they always have clubs, and classes also that you can sign up for, and meet people that way, and get some independence. :)
Not sure if any of this will help you, but i do hope that you're able to find something that helps. Being your own person, outside of Mom, keeps everything better, for you, and for your family. :)

Tah - posted on 01/29/2011

thanks for the info Bree, so from what i understand, in the army it's personal relationships between officers and enlisted..



so Kristy you can go get your E-5's wife friend back...lol



now in regards to daycare and school, my son goes to the daycare on base the teachers there are AWESOMEEEEE!!!!...i know our children are very special to us but to assume that noone else could have their best interest at heart is limiting their experiences. Rylan's teacher's love him and go beyond the call of duty for him, buying him color and alphabet cards for home and allowing him to express himself. they cry when he moves up in age class and he is only going across the hall...lol. I think its great that they get to be socialized and they learn how to share and have empathy etc. I hope you allow the children to experience all they and you as well once you work on your trust issues, it can be done.

Tah - posted on 01/29/2011

im with Kim...my husband has friends above and below his rank, the thing i dont get is the fact that im not in the army, so if you and i are hanging, it really doesnt have anything to do with my husband. My friends where we are have loads of fun and our husbands are from E-2 to senior chief..E-8, i think sometimes the wives get up in the rank thing as if we are the ones in the military when we aren't. we are in each others homes, eating, drinking coffe, letting the kids run around and we dont even discuss who's husband is what, has nothing to do with our friendship. we just hang. it lends support, i think thats where we as wives cut ourselves and our children off from good relationships because we worry about who we can be friends with due to our husband's jobs. that is more the wives feeling superior(not saying you per se) because of something their husband has acheived(with their help in some instances) but it isn't my rank, i dont even talk about it unless someone ask, and then i wonder why they want to know. He doesn't pick my friends an d i dont pick his, and that makes for very comfortable and trusting friendships.

Bree - posted on 01/29/2011

I think that all of the questions have been answered sufficiently except one. I am not understanding this rank thing. As a wife, I wear no rank. My husbands rank does not dictate who I am friends with. His rank does not dictate who I socialize with. HE does not hang out with his Soldiers, but that doesn't mean I can't be friendly with their wives. And I have several friends with husbands lower ranking than mine. As long as they are not in my husbands unit it is not an issue to have them both over for a BBQ or just to watch a fight (UFC!). With such specific requirements for who you'd like to spend your time with, limiting your friend pool to E7's wives only is going to make for a very lonely existence. Instead it is easier to be open and see other women for who they are, not the rank on their husbands chests. Having standards such as "not in the same unit" can keep any worries of being in a potentially negative situation to a minimum.
http://www.defense.gov/specials/fraterni...

Marissa - posted on 01/28/2011

I have some suggestions. First see if there is a play gym near u. I take my daughters to a place called Jumperoo it looks like warehouse but it is full of those inflatable jumper things my kids love it adults can climb and jump with them it will get u and your kids interaction with other adults. as far as putting your child in Kindergarten to be honest some school have programs where they learn by playing not by sitting at desks with books they get naps and snacks and still learn and sometimes u have to take a chance that your kid will get hurt if u keep them cooped up with u they will never develop social skills. I have problems with my oldest because I never put her in daycare she was always cared for by me , my husband, or my mom and now she is 9 and doesn't share with anyone not even her little sister she yells at everyone and tells them how and what to do. As far as worrying about what they learn U have to trust that what u have taught them will help them make the right choices at any age. When your child picks up bad habits from other kids U just need to sit them down and explain that it is not right and just because soemoen else does it doesn't mean that they should ( by keeping them sheltered forever they fall into peer pressure easier ).

Karla - posted on 01/21/2011

Kay, this is the third time I have written this reply, so hopefully this time it works (first time the baby erased it, the second time something went wrong and it didnt show up after I hit the button, so hopefully third time's the charm - and i really typed a lot, so i hope it works!)
I am really happy, being new to this community, that so many people have posted and were so positive, supportive, non-judgemental even tho opinions differ.
So, here goes...
1. Having a hobby of your own - what do you enjoy doing? Find something you can do in little snatches of time (kids napping, after they go to bed and before you fall asleep :) ). Try something like scrapbooking, cardmaking, or making jewelry - these are fun, you can keep adding to your collection, and can even sell them if you get really god and so desire! Try making necklaces to support your soldier/airman/specific unit - sell them at frg meetings or somewhere on post. What about crocheting some of those super cute little girl hats with the big flowers? Those are huge right now! You can sell things anywhere now, like Etsy, ebay, even facebook has pages (scrapbook yardseller is one i think? or start your own page).
2/3. Making friends and allowing others to watch your children. It IS hard making friends when you move - sometimes I think having kids makes it easier (you can look for mom's groups etc) but sometimes it makes it harder - it is more difficult to get out without them! I am envious of those of you that live on post, as we never have-the post we are at does not even have housing! But, we have been here for two years, and I have relatively few good friends. As I have gotten older, age is of no relevance to me as far as friendship - some of my friends are older, some are younger (unfortunately I am the older in most of them!) but there is something to be learned from all of them, and if you exclude based on age, you will miss out on some wonderful opportunities. I do understand the concern of friendships with other wives based on your husbands rank. I can see how differences in rank can be an issue, both professionally and personally. I think some ways you can make friends are to look for mom's groups where they get together with the children - this gives you an opportunity to meet friends with kids your children's ages, as well as to observe them and how they interact with their children as well as others' children. Once you meet a few moms, invite them for smaller playdates to get to know them even further, which will also allow you to see how they interact with your children as you all get more comfortable, allowing you to see if they are worth your trust to leave your children with them. Groups like MOPS (mops.org will help you find a group and tell you more about it) is a group where caregivers watch the children while the moms enjoy some time to be with other moms, being a woman first, as well as a wife and mother. Building these relationships helps you to nurture yourself as a person, but also as a wife and mother! Parents As Teachers (parentsasteachers.org will help you find a group - sometimes there are groups on military posts, other times within the community) - yes, it is a parenting and education program, but if you are eligible, the educator can link you with community resources, other moms through parent meetings, and possibly even some suggestions for someone to watch your children - to me, the best child-care recommendations come from other mom's i know and trust, and who recommends their sitter to me. On that note, I agree with the other poster as I have also worked at several child-care organizations as well as taking care of children in my home. I am sorry to hear of your negative experiences as a child, and yes, there are poor daycare providers/workers out there; however, there are also GOOD ones too - my mom was a daycare provider, and as I stated above, I have been as well; many of those i worked with at the daycare genuinely love working with children and teaching them. Ask questions, visit, ask more questions, visit again, trust your instinct. If you arent comfortalble, wait til you are! I am choosy who i allow to sit with my children as well, the older they get the easier it gets (as they can tell you what was good and bad!). It was really hard in the beginning, but getting to know my friends in time, as well as the desire to get out once in awhile without my children, fueled my ability to learn to trust.
No matter what, you will ALWAYS fear something will happen to your child - at school, a sitter, etc - but bad things happen all over - the mall, the bank, the park - bullying, shootings, etc. They are not only predisposed to public schools or universities. A mall we used to frequent in a past town had a shooting, which could have easily involved us. Unless you stay at home for the rest of your child's life, there will be situations where they can be in danger... heck, walking across the street! Driving in your car to go to the doctor's office! You just have to pray that they stay safe, and that you make the best decisions for you, your family, and your child.
3. School - I truly believe this is a personal decision as to public/private/homeschool... I think there are some children who genuinely benefit from being homeschooled and would not be nearly as successful at school. I just believe the benefits outweigh the negatives of schooling vs. homeschooling. You are allowing your child to be exposed to many other diverse people and personalities, vs only your own famliy's or the others you allow them to come into contact with. As adults in the world, they will experience these diversities and need to know how to deal with them. I think the school allows children different experiences, one of which i think is very important is teaching children to learn to respect other adults and authority figures. I think the point of allowing your child to be with other children is not necessarily valid, as homeschooling parents are very good at exposing their children to others.
Other options for you to meet other moms are going to the local library or nature center - most have programs for children depending on age, which will allow you to meet others with kids the same age as yours. Or, head to the mall with a play area on the same day and time each week, and see if there are faces that become familiar, then strike up a conversation. I understand it is hard to look for friends through your husband's work (other wives) due to the rank issue - even if the two wives didnt have a problem, it could at some point become an issue for the husbands at work.
If you choose to send your daughter to school, get involved in the PTO (parent teacher organization), or volunteer to be head room parent or just to help out - often teh same parents show up at the classroom parties - then you get to know the parents of your child's classmates, so when she starts asking to have friends over or go to their houses, you know who some of them are.
4. I felt awfully guilty putting my daughter in school too - but I could never have taught her at home - it would not have been good for her or me (she has adhd as well as some learning challenges that she receives extra help for). You can always try sending her (or try keeping her at home) and change your mind at a later date - just make sure you allow yourself and your daughter a true chance at whatever choice you make, before moving her - there is nothing wrong with trying something out and then correcting what you feel is a mistake - there IS something wrong with allowing the mistake to continue if you dont believe it is right... Please remember that your daughter wont be sitting at a desk 7 hours each day. She is socializing, playing house, coloring, cutting, having recess, playing games, doing art - yes, this is school, but these are the tools they use to learn in kindergarten - trust me, she will enjoy it! She will enjoy making friends and having a teacher... I think as a mother, we feel guilt about a LOT of things - after all, each of these decisions we make will affect our child for the rest of their life - but you have to remember to tell yourself you are doing the best job you can do, making the best decisions you can for you, your daughter, and your family, based on the information you have right now. Hindsight is 20/20 - just do the best you can, and dont beat yourself up about it.
You will ALWAYS worry about your child - but bad things (bullying, shootings, negativity) can happen anywhere - i cant remember if i sad it before, but at the park, the sports group, the mall... even your own home if you homeschool and have friends over - you cannot unfortunately protect your child from everything. You build her up, and it sounds like you guys have already done a good job at this already - you talk to her constantly, be involved in her life - these things help - there is cyber-bullying thru email and facebook and everything else - just be there, and be involved will help. When your child brings something home from school (and she will, and she will limit-test, that is normal) you reinforce all the wonderful things you have already taught her, and you talk about why you wont allow that behavior, even tho so and so does it - it will happen now and later, probably...
again, dont beat yourself up - somedays it is hard not to be on yourself, but you ARE your own worst critic - just make informed decisions for the best of everyone involved. It sucks to not have the support from a close family (my fam is 11 hrs away), but that is all the more reason to try to find some good friends to build a support system - i would not have made it thru DH's deployment without the good friends i had.
Good luck, I am sure i missed some wonderful point i made before, and made some dumb point twice now, but hopefully you can get something out of this!

Jessica - posted on 01/20/2011

Wow, wow, wow! You sure have a lot on your mind. But rest assured, I think many people think and worry about the same things you are, they just don't or won't admit it. With that being said, here is my advice:

1. You are you and you will forever be a mom. I think what you are after is a release. I have 2 boys (ages 3 and 2) and I felt the exact same way you do! Start sometime of craft group at your house and post it on base at the PX/Commissary/Community Center, etc...That way you will be able to meet people that are interested in the same things you are. If crafts aren't your thing then think about what you enjoy and start sometype of group for that. Also, get online and search for a MeetUp near you. Maybe there is a playgroup for your girls, which will allow them to play where you can still watch them yet it will allow you to have adult interaction. And it will allow you to meet other adults.

2. You don't get over the trust issue with other people watching your kids. I believe that is our instinct. I don't let just anyone watch our boys and because of that my husband and I don't get alone time outside of the house. But, in my eyes, it is worth it because I know our kids are safe. Don't try to talk yourself into it either because God forbid, if something did happen you would have way too much guilt to deal with. Once you find a friend that you trust then this issue will be solved. The problem is waiting until you find that friend.

3. My advice is stated in #1. Do you go to church? Volunteer? (you could do a google search for opportunities in your area. I think UnitedWay lists a lot of opportunities). Maybe adopt a grandparent in a assisted living facility. Your girls would have kind of a surragate grandparent since your family is so far away and you would be able to meet other adults (the ones that work there, not the older ones :)

4. From your post I get the idea you really want to homeschool but you also really want a break. Go with your instinct, which from your post, I believe is homeschool. We are going to homeschool too. I want to know what our boys are learning and I want to teach it to them. Who better to teach YOUR children than YOU! I know there is a lot of heated controversy over public school versus homeschool but in our house homeschool wins.

5. I think this goes along the same thinking as dropping your kids off at daycare. With so many news stories about bullying, shooting, and everything else how can you NOT worry! Kids need to learn in a safe environment where there minds can be encouraged. I don't think this can happen in the public school system. If these are really strong concerns of yours then stick to them. It is your family and you do what is best for your family.

I understand the need to be sane. I got really depressed for about a year. I was on a downward spiral. We are in Korea right now and my husband's workschedule is almost like he is deployed but worse because he does come home at night but sometimes it is so late that the boys don't get to see him. Anyway, my husband sent me and our boys home to be with my mom for 8 weeks for me to get some help with the boys and for me to get better. One good thing with homeschooling and keeping your kids with you, is that your family may not be able to come to you, but if you save your money you can go to them. Maybe you can do that soon. Go home for awhile.

Nella - posted on 01/20/2011

Hey stop there you are over working your mind, 1st she ready for school u are holding her back try it and see, 2nd join the YMCA if there is one there is a lot of thing for your 3 year old and you to do together, everything will be fine, I was like that be I don't want to sound like I am being bad but I have a 4 and 1 year old and the 4 year just started going to school and I love it I have so much time on my hand and the 1 year ago to play group every Tuesday and we have fun

Lyndell - posted on 01/20/2011

i was there. you have to let go and learn to trust people, there are still some out there. i finally drove myself crazy and decided to go back to work after 2 years of being a housewife with 2 kids. 1. do your research on daycares, your kids will let you know if/when something is wrong. talk to other parents when looking at daycares, look at children (are they dirty, running around screaming while you are there--if so leave., etc). i found a clean, well disciplined directors, education focused, fun daycare for my kids and they loved it. they learned alot and had interaction with other kids, they made friends did projects and didn't want to leave when i came to pick them up. they only watched tv during potty time and pickup.
i was also new to area and didn't know anyone, and also got into being known only as my childrens mom. i started my very own mary kay business and i have met and made alot of friends. i love my business and what it has done for me. i am my own boss, with a very flexible schedule, while making some extra money, and most importantly i get to hang out with other grown women who just want to be pampered. i now have an identity besides mom. if you have anymore questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

Sara - posted on 01/20/2011

First of all let me say that I am not judging you at all. I am just speaking from my own personal experience. I worked in several daycare centers from the time I was 17 until I was 26 years old. I always cared about the kids that were in my class and thought of them as my own children. However, I also worked with some people in a couple centers that could have cared less. Those people caused me to quit a few jobs because I only wanted to work with people that cared as much as I did. However daycare is not for all families. Some people can stay home with their children and that is great. If you do decide to try a daycare setting then I have a few pointers. Find one that has cameras in every room. Some even have cameras that parents can access from the internet. Yes they are a little higher in price, but well worth the cost. Now I have stayed at home since my daughter who is 10 months old was born. I looked into my local library and found out that they had story time or things like that several times a week. I started taking my daughter and through that met other stay at home moms. Another way is to go to different events on base and meet people. My husband was deployed for the first 10 months of my daughters life and only came home for 2 weeks when she was 2 weeks old, so I was in the same place. I didn't know anyone, so I looked for things that I could take my daughter too and meet other people. Also if you decide to send either of your kids to daycare or any type of school make sure that you can drop in at any time. If a school will not allow you to just pop in and out at any time they are probably hiding something. I really hope this helps and that it doesn't sound like I am judging you for not wanting to send your kids to daycare. Even though I have worked in them I am also nervous about one day having anyone else care for my daughter.

Christina - posted on 01/20/2011

Hello! I'm at Ft. Bliss as well. I'm reluctant on who I trust to watch my kids as well. I have a 5 year old and an almost 3 year old. The five year old is in Pre-K at St. Matthew's here on the west side. I'm a hobby person myself, and through my husbands deployment in 2007 I sew a lot, and for business. The school all day thing takes a little getting used to, but now I think he really enjoys it, and it gives me a break, and some one on one time with the 2 year old. I know there are spouses clubs on post, but yeah, the whole child care issue when get togethers are held during the day is a draw back for me. I cloth diaper, and it varies post to post how the CYS people will handle, or not handle that. Anyway, if you want to chat, or get together sometime, I've found a few friends locally here that I can introduce you to. Two of them are ladies I met through a mutual friend, and one of them is a lady I met at church, and our families have a really good time hanging out together.

Have you considered trying out knitting or crocheting? It's a relatively inexpensive hobby that can keep you buys and productive.

Pam - posted on 01/20/2011

Hi Kristy, I totally understand. I grew up in El Paso. It has changed a lot since I joined the Navy in 1998. How long have you been in El Paso? The Army is usually very good at having Family Days. Your husbands unit should have a Family Readiness Group. I have a 4 yr old and 5 y/o and I never had them in daycare or with a babysitter until this year. When I first started looking for a sitter, I joined Sitter City online. It's free for military families. You can contact the sitters you are interested in, and you can look at sitters that have background checks and references. Start small. I leave my daughter with a sitter 2 hours a day so I can go workout or shop.

Kristy - posted on 01/15/2011

Thank you ladies! All of your advice and information is helpful. My husband is an E7 in the Army and is light infantry. It is considered fraternization if you befriend a lower ranking soldier or higher ranking by 2 ranks. My husband has been in for 13 years and he is very "by the book". I have gone to 2 FRG meetings and they were not pleasant. Too much gossip for my liking and since the deployment is in 8 months, I don't want to get involved with it. And, yes, 3 years ago when my hubby was an E6 i tried being friends with an E5's wife and it became awkward because I couldn't allow her husband to come with her to our house (and "hang out" because of my husbands rank)
-I wanted to homeschool my kids until 8 years old and then put them into school but with the upcoming deployment I think it is better to do kindergarten. And the school that she has to attend (unless I pay) is an all day kindergarten. She is very social and I think she will do fine. I just worry. And I need help calming my worries. I hate the thought of her getting hit or bit or smacked OR yelled at and called names. I guess it is the normal worry for a mother but I don't know how to "not worry"! I went to public school starting at 5 till graduation and college PLUS daycare since I was 2 months old till 9. I experienced A LOT of neglect in daycare. I ,thankfully, never experienced abuse or anything.
-Hobbies, we have 2 dogs and a cat and we live on post and technically the limit for animals is 2 and we have 3. I would love to help with animals but I can't on post. I have thought about hourly care but I have two kids and it is 4 dollars and hour and the hourly care is off post here in El Paso. and I don't really care for that idea.
-Trust is HUGE to me. I think it is a privilege and huge responsibility to be in a child's life. Everyone is their role model. And I don't think a lot of people feel that way, so how can I trust them to be a good role model. You know? If it isn't their child they are more likely to not care about how they act or what they say. And that really bothers me, because that isn't the case. We are role models for everyone's children we come in contact with.
-I agree about having friends who are older. One of my best friends is 43 and I am 27. I guess that comes from my sisters being 5 and 6 years older than me. I don't like immaturity and irresponsibility and unfortunately there are a lot of people like that in this world.

Thank you all for responding!!

Kim - posted on 01/14/2011

I have noticed that the ladies in a FRG would much rather be out at a bar than at home spending time with their kids. I never participated in the nights out but would go to the meetings for the information, but recently I discovered some were spreading rumors because my husband is home right now dealing with out sons medical issues instead of being deployed with the rest of the boat. Since this occurred I have chosen not to associate with the entire FRG. I have even asked our ombudsman not to send me phone trees because I don't want to get a phone call from another wife.
As far as husbands expecting favors that is ridiculous. My husband is a submariner and would never expect one of my friends husbands to let things slide based on our friendship. Thats not real friendship! I will admit because my husband joined the Navy late in life he is the same age as some of his chiefs if not older which works in his favor a lot of the time because they don't look at him like some 18 yr old kid that doesn't know anything.

LauraBeth - posted on 01/14/2011

Kim, I was/am friends with a few ladies that are lower rank then my Hubby and their husband see that as way to try and get out of stuff or that my husband should treat them different because of my friendship. Iam sure it can be done but it make life harder on my hubby because of some people dumb thought process. My husband is by the books and thinks everyone else should be too. at our next duty station I am going to become more involed at our new church rather then with the FRG. Most the women in the FRG here are not who I want to be around (they rather party then be with there kids)

Andrea - posted on 01/14/2011

I completely understand how you feel about everything. I only have one child, but now we have one on the way.

As far as home hobbies, what are things you like to do? I love animals, so I became a certified dog trainer. Although I am still at home I take in foster dogs and help rehabilitate and find good homes for them.If you find the right rescue good this can be very rewarding! You have to look inside yourself and find what you really like to do.

I myself do not like people watching my daughter, she just turned 3. When she was a few months old I actually flew my MIL 1,000 miles to our house to watch her one night. When I was in school I needed a sitter for 2-3 hrs once a week, so I interviewed probably 20 people, and actually was able to find someone. I was extremely worried about leaving, but I knew I found the right person when my daughter did not cry once. She stood at the window and waved goodbye to me, she was around 18 months at the time, Do a bunch of interviews and believe me you and your child will know the right person!

I haven't quite figured out the whole friend thing either. I join meetup mom groups and occasionally find someone that I actually would be friends with in every day life. I tend to get along better with women 10 yrs older then me, moms my age and me don't seem to have much in common. As far as friends with lower rank, like you said that is if it interferes with work. If it is someone who can not separate your friendship from her husbands work, then you are not friends anyway.

I think parents who home school are amazing, however I do not think it is best for the child. It has nothing to do with the quality of education because honestly it is probably better then public schools. I have been around alot of home schooled kids and they are always the nicest, but they are socially awkward. Being in school helps children develop life long friendships in some cases, everyone should learn how to deal with all personality types because in life you will come across someone like that. My daughter starts 3 yr old preschool in Sept, 3 days a wk for 3.5 hrs a day. Does your district not offer 1/2 day kindergarten? Then she can get used to the school day before moving to full day 1st grade.

Did you not go to school? I loved school when I was a kid and I was a very shy kid. Yes things can happen at school, but things can happen when you take your kids to the grocery store but you have to get food. What you say about your kids, makes me think they are very good and probably very good role models for others. At some point in their lives no matter how hard you try they are going to see the real world, why not at a young age so you can explain it to them, and not when they are away at college experiencing it by themselves. My daughter is only 3 and she asked all kinds of crazy questions about things see shes, and then reapplies it into other life experiences.

Kim - posted on 01/14/2011

I understand wanting your identify other than being a mom. I have 4 children ranging from ages 10 to 1 and for the past 10 years my kids have been my identity. I finally decided in December that I can't be just mom anymore. I need time to myself so I've been going to the gym almost everyday for at least an hour. If I'm not able to go to the gym then I go jogging for an hour. I also started back to school to complete my BA in special education.
I know that you said you have a lot of difficulty trusting other people to watch your children, but have you thought about drop in care for just an hour or 2 a day or even a week. My husband is home right now because my one son is having medical issues so he has been good about watching the children for at least an hour for me to do my own thing. If he isn't available I have been putting my 2 yr old and 1 yr old in the CDC for 2 hours once or twice a week. A few hours a week at the CDC also helps my 2 yr old learn to socialize with other kids her age which might be helpful for your kids since you said your mostly indoors with each other. It has made a world of difference getting a little time for myself.
Meeting friends can be hard when your at a new duty station. You need to get out of the house and join a mother-child group or another activity. I'm not sure why you don't want friends that are below your husband in rank. I've never had an issue with that...some of my best friends in our last duty stations were much higher ranked than my husband (my husband only joined the military 3 yrs ago) and even now my best friend here is an officers wife.
School is a great way for your children to socialize and be with their peers. When my oldest went to kindergarten he was so excited. He loved to come home and tell me what he learned that day. What they did in gym, music, art was always a favorite of his. Even now that he is 10 years old he comes home to tell me how exciting his school day was and shares his stories.
Sometimes you have to remember you can teach them morales and values while allowing them to experience other things than just home life.

LauraBeth - posted on 01/13/2011

I am on the same page as you!! I will not let anyone watch my kids. I dont think daycares have people who care working there and most of them dont have great values and morals. I dont have to worry about school just yet I still have 4 years till my oldest has to go. (I have homeschool in the back of my mind)

as far as hobbies go when they nap I am teaching myself how to sew, and after they go to bed I do my Zumba DVD. when my hubby gets back from Afghan I told him that once a week I would like to have some "me" time for a hour or so, even if I dont leave the house

2: I dont trust people with my kids I dont think I will ever be able to. I would take me the time we had at a duty station to trust someone then we would move before they could watch them lol

3: I have the same problem my hubby just got SFC so i am trying to figure out that one as well

Just remember what you instill in your children they will carry with them for a lifetime. we cant keep them safe when they are not with us, we have to trust in God to incamp is angels around them and protect them from all harm. Best of luck and prayers with you.