The month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child and an important time to recognize and celebrate the children of military families who serve our country. Growing up as a military kid can be a unique and challenging experience, as they face many obstacles that civilian children do not. From constantly moving to adapt to new schools, making new friends, and dealing with long periods of separation from their parents, military children need to possess a level of personal strength and resilience that is truly exceptional.

One of the most significant challenges for military children is maintaining friendships. With frequent moves to new locations and the deployment of their parents, it can be challenging to establish and maintain lasting connections with peers. As a result, military children often have to be adaptable and resilient when making new friends. They learn to be outgoing, welcoming, and open-minded as they are frequently thrust into new environments and situations. It takes significant effort to maintain those connections worldwide, despite the distance.

Another challenge for military children is dealing with long distances. Often, the military child's parent is away, which can mean months or even years of separation from their loved ones. This separation can be incredibly difficult for children and the entire family, who rely on their parents for emotional support and guidance. Children may sometimes only see their parents briefly, which can be a daunting and challenging experience. Despite the distance, military children learn to cope with the separation and make the most of their time with their parents when reuniting.

Military children also possess incredible personal strength and resilience. They must adapt to new environments quickly, learn to make friends easily and develop a sense of independence and self-reliance that is often beyond their years. They must learn to deal with the constant changes and uncertainties of military life, including moving from one place to another or dealing with a parent's deployment. These challenges require a level of strength and resilience not often seen in children their age.

During this Month of the Military Child, let us honor and celebrate these incredible children and their sacrifices to support our country.