Supplementary Links
Tools
This day may be the result of weeks of preparing, and the full homecoming experience may last for some time afterward. As with any highly anticipated event, the reality may be different from your family’s expectations. Of course, having your loved one back is wonderful, but it’s also one more transition. With advance planning, you can prepare your child for the joys – and sometimes the difficulties – of having his family together again.
Reconnecting
Remember, even a few months is a long period of time as a child grows and develops. Take your time. Relationships have changed; family members have grown emotionally and, for children, physically, too.
Multiple Homecomings
When a service member is redeployed, the whole family is being redeployed. For a young child, multiple homecomings mean constant adjustments. She may also find it difficult to reconnect if she knows the parent may be leaving again.
Express Yourself: Q&A
Your child is going to have a lot of questions. Listen to what she is asking, then answer as directly and simply as possible. Try to resist saying “don’t feel bad,” or “don’t cry.” What is probably most important to your child is for you to hear her out.
