Hubs deploying in September...need some suggestions!

Meagan - posted on 07/23/2012

The FRG is actually hosting a daddy and me day tomorrow and my LO gets to "make" a daddy doll, and get a video recorded of my husband reading him a book. Its hard to believe that in about 6 weeks the love of my life is leaving :(

Beth - posted on 07/13/2012

We are also doing deployment in September.
I have been there, My oldest child was 6 months when he left for his first unaccompanied tour.
And my youngest was a year old when he left for his first deployment.
The website is a great idea. Keep the video camera handy. Is he taking a laptop with him, if you will likely be able to chat with him on a fairly regular basis. You can send him SD cards with pictures and video of your son. Just make sure it's packed with other stuff as well.
Is this your first deployment?
There will be a big adjustment when he comes back no matter how much you keep in touch and how much your son stays in contact with his daddy. And still the posiblity that he won't know who he is when he gets back, so please be prepared for that. But it's totally normal, so please don't let it stress either one of you.

Audrey - posted on 07/12/2012

Hi Meagan,
First thank you for serving our country. You are my true hero's. I am NOT trying to sell you anything just giving you resources that have helped over 500,000 children of deployed parents. HUGGEE MISS YOU also called Daddy/Mommy doll is a plush 12" "doll" with a cute embroidered face that has a clear plastic pocket over it for you to slide any pictures you want in. They also come recordable so you can record in person or over the phone. Also there is a fantastic non profit called Operation Give A Hug that donates for FREE the non recordable ones with a booklet that has wonderful resources for you. You can call Susan Agustin at 1-253-691-9391 or email her at susan@operationgiveahug.org. You can also check out the website at www.huggeemissyou.com. Our HUGS TO GO Facebook page has a whole community of military moms on it who can really help also. I hope this helped. God Bless and thank you so much.

Tah - posted on 06/22/2012

The website is a Great idea. I emailed him pictures of everything. It is hard for the service members to be away, but it's what they do and keeping them connected is what we do. Best wishes...

Erin - posted on 06/22/2012

Check out daddydolls.com. They have stuff for little kids to, including a small blanket that fits into a purse/diaper bag without taking up a whole lot of space. A website is a great idea too for him to be able to see what's happening. Something else I did for my husband who just returned from deployment was I took pictures during the whole deployment, from special occations to every day activities and ordered a photo book that so he could see snapshots of what we did while he was gone. He'll be home for a year now, but his next deployment is scheduled so that he will be missing our eldest son's first day of kindergarten. It's so hard, but that is the military life. You'll be in my prayers!

Tiffanie - posted on 06/22/2012

Have him read a story and record it for your son. Also give him a flip cam or somethign eh can send back if he gets a chance for your son to see. Also talk to yoru Family readiness about Video chats if there doing it. Also send him Pics in every car package you send him. And your son wont kwno when christmas is at this age wait to open presents when he gets back. That what I did with my husband. Any holidays can be moved its not the date it falls on its how you celebrate it. There tons of stuff you can do get a fake tree and leave it up or put it up right before he comes home so he doesnt feel liek he missed anything.