It’s especially hard for military kids to deal with stress, fear, and other worries about their family members on deployment. Whether you’re a parent or caregiver, the upshot is that there are many tools to help kids cope.
Prepare for deployment
Get organized for deployment with useful guides—to prepare financial and legal documents, a family care plan, and more—from Military OneSource’s Deployment section.
Tips for little ones dealing with deployment [PDF]
Preschoolers who are coping with a loved one’s deployment can enjoy this activity booklet from Operation R.E.A.D.Y.
Coping: I Can Do That! [PDF]
In this booklet from Operation R.E.A.D.Y., kids ages 9–12 can learn coping skills, identify their feelings about a parent’s deployment, and find ways to manage stress.
Separations happen [PDF]
Teens can learn relaxation exercises, tips for handling emotional expectations during the reunion stage, and ways to communicate better with their families with this activity booklet from Operation R.E.A.D.Y.
For more resources for parents and kids, visit HPRC’s “Resources for military parents” page.