kiddos

Crazy-

My wife and I were concerned about this for the longest time when I/we first joined. We were concerned about the moving and the changing of schools, blah, blah, blah... Funny thing is that the kids answered the question for us and laid the concerns to rets themselves. See as adults we know what life was like as a kid, in most cases a pleasent, stable environment. We know military families to be more dynamic and mobile. See my kids don't know any different, been in the military since birth, so a stable environment would be more problematic for them. At about the 2-year mark of a 3-year tour, my kids want to know where we are moving next. We work to make it an enjoyable experience, not a stressful, a good thing not a bad one. It's all a matter of perspective. My 3 kids have seen more things and travelled more places at the ages of 9,6, and 3 then I ever did at that age, they love it. They get to go places some kids only get to see in books.

LCDR Dan

LCDR Dan,

This is refreshing to hear as I have two children myself, ages 4 and 5. In fact, my choice to join the Air Force was in part because I wanted my children to have experiences I didn't have. As a kid I grew up in a military town, watched people come and go, and wanted to do the same.

Perhaps you could share some of the things that you have done/said to keep things positive. I'm sure there will come a day (ahhh the teenage years) that things will take a turn, but for now, any advice on how to make moves adventures and not burdensome?

I don't have kids, but I was a Navy brat. The funny thing is, I never moved!!! My dad was stationed at Norfolk (or immediate surrounding area) from the time I was born until I was 10. Looking back, i wish we would have moved around!

I do remember when he was deployed on a ship and I was about 4 years old. I remember the day he left, christmas morning, and the day he came back. Apparently I drew many cards for him while he was gone, but I don't remember that. My mom stayed home with me and we got along great. Overall, not a bad experience. I also remember walking around on the ship he was assigned to and meeting a bunch of his shipmates.

To me, it was a normal way of life, and I thought it was so cool that my dad was on a ship and got to travel all sorts of places.

Greek-

One of the things we have done is to make the kids part of the decision process. We actually ask them where they want to go next? Not like the decision is completely up to them, but we let them know what are options are and continue to keep talking about it. You're correct in saying things will get more difficult, my 9 yr-old has already made the statement about leaving friends. However, we've lucked out by being able to visit friends from previous duty stations. Are explanation to them is that the world is a lot smaller than they may think and that we will run into friends again. Along with that, we show them what moving has to offer, new town, new opportunities to travel, etc.,. To date, my kids have been to Spain, North Africa, Ireland, England, France, Italy, The Carribean, all because of where we've been stationed in the military. Now some of these are vacation destinations, but we couldn't have done it without being in the Navy. Like I said before, we take the places the kids see in books and learn about in school and we take them there, just made it part of our life. Even with deployments, the Mrs. is going to be gone for 4 more months starting in AUG. We are going to capitalize on that by meeting her in the Carribean when she has 5 days of Liberty from the ship, just another adventure for us. Just takes planning and a desire to pack up 3 kids and give it a shot. That doesn't happen with all deployments, but have the chance with this one, so we're taking it. I know the teenage years will be tougher, that's why we are trying to establish our pattern now. Not that it will be any easier necessarily, but it's a strategy we're trying.

LCDR Dan

LCDR Dan,

Thanks! Your family is certainly well traveled and I hope the Air Force will offer us the same! As I type I am on my way to OTS at Maxwell AFB. I'm in some seedy Econo Lodge near Gulfport where a biker convention is in full swing--so far not my idea of good travelin'!

Again, thanks for the ideas. Sounds like you and the Mrs. have it down to a science.

Here's to a safe homecoming (and a relaxing trip to the Caribbean!)

I don't have kids, but I was a Navy brat. The funny thing is, I never moved!!! My dad was stationed at Norfolk (or immediate surrounding area) from the time I was born until I was 10. Looking back, i wish we would have moved around!

I do remember when he was deployed on a ship and I was about 4 years old. I remember the day he left, christmas morning, and the day he came back. Apparently I drew many cards for him while he was gone, but I don't remember that. My mom stayed home with me and we got along great. Overall, not a bad experience. I also remember walking around on the ship he was assigned to and meeting a bunch of his shipmates.

To me, it was a normal way of life, and I thought it was so cool that my dad was on a ship and got to travel all sorts of places.

what did your dad do in the navy? if you don't mind me asking?

Greek-

Biker convention, now we're talking!! I ride daily depending on what the weather is like. Good luck with OTS, we'll be thinking of you.

LCDR Dan

what did your dad do in the navy? if you don't mind me asking?

He was a storekeeper. All but one or two of his deployments happened before I was even born. From what I remember, he was a Chief when I was really young, and then became a Senior Chief, and retired as a Senior Chief.

He was a storekeeper. All but one or two of his deployments happened before I was even born. From what I remember, he was a Chief when I was really young, and then became a Senior Chief, and retired as a Senior Chief.

that's awesome that your dad was a senior chief. i just asked b/c my husband is thinking of going AD as well but we're not sure as what yet.

Well, I have been in 13 years. We have the boys which will be 7, 5 in August and the baby girl who is 16 months. The boys we have treated it as an adventure each time. The oldest wants to know where we are going next. They actually enjoy seeing new places and we make sure that we go and see everything around where we are stationed. I'm sure it will be more difficult when they are teenagers but I hope since we include them and make it an adventure they will be more likely to adapt well.

ENS Allison