What kind of support is there for children with parents in the military? What can our schools do to help these children through uncertain times?
National Military Family Association- Currently more than 130,000 military children have moms and dads deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Studies show that the uncertainty of war and absence of a parent from home are increasingly stressful for these children.
Military Child Education Coalition-A 501(c)(3) non-profit, world-wide organization, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)'s work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition.
Johns Hopkins Military Child Initiative-The Military Child Initiative will assist public schools to improve the quality of education for highly mobile and vulnerable young people with a special focus on military children and their families by providing national, state and local education agencies, as well as schools, parents and health, child welfare, juvenile justice and educational professionals with information, tools and services that enhance school success.
Drop Dad a Line!-The National Fatherhood Initiative with TriWest Healthcare Alliance provides children the opportunity to send dad a private or public message. Children fill out a simple form and dad will receive an email letting him know that there is a special message waiting for him.
Military Family Support Groups-The official website of the Department of Veterans' Services. Here you will find a list of military family support groups located in Massachusetts.
Connecting Military Families and Schools-an article from the American School Board Journal, July 2007.
Families Bear Brunt of Deployment Strains-an article from the New York Times, December 2010.
Children With Deployed Parents Have More Behavior Problems-an article from Medical News Today, November 2008.
Book List-Resources for Families and Teachers
Andrews, B. (2007). I Miss You!: A Military Kid's Book About Deployment. Prometheus Books. Ages 4-8. This book is written by a social worker with much experience assisting military families experiencing stress. The guide is a tool for allowing children and their loved ones to deal with the many emotions caused by deployment. The accompanying parent's guide is designed to validate parent's feelings and give them ways to help their children cope.
Ehrmantraut, B. (2005). Night Catch. Jamestown, ND: Bubble Gum Press. Ages 4-8. When a soldier's work takes him half way around the world, he enlists the help of the North Star for a nightly game of catch with his son.
Karst, P. (2000). The Invisible String. DeVorss & Company. Ages 4 & Up. When Liza and Jeremy run to their mother during a scary storm, she comforts them by telling them about the Invisible String, which connects people who love each other no matter where they are and means that they are never alone.
McBride, S. (2008). My Mommy Wears Combat Boots. AuthorHouse. Preschool age. This story is based on the personal experience of a soldier and a mother who was seeking a way to explain why she needed to leave her child again and go to war.
Petty, K. (2009). Deployment: Strategies for Working with Kid's in Military Families. Redleaf Press. Toddler through elementary school age. This comprehensive handbook is for civilians and military personnel who work with or care for children who experience separation through deployment. There is a chapter in this book on quality programs and Reggio Emilia!
Skolmoski, S. (2006). A Paper Hug. This story is about a little boy who has figured out the best gift to give to his dad before he leaves to serve his country is a paper hug.
Tillman, N. (2010). Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You. Feiwel & Friends Publishing. This is a book to share with any loved one, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are.
