Deployment is difficult. As military spouses, we are expected to hold down the fort, raise the kids, change the world and be the perfect face of Deployment Barbie, all while worrying about the safety of our loved ones at war. With all the challenges life throws at us, it's sometimes challenging to "be all we can be" on the home front of a military deployment. These resources are for spouses like us -- spouses who just need some empathy and encouragement in the middle of a long deployment day when the dinner is burnt and the grass is too long and we just don't feel like wasting another dime on long distance phone cards and flat rate boxes. I feel your pain. These resources are for you.

22 Jul 2008    Helping Home Front Families A list of practical and meaningful ways that civilian individuals and organizations can offer help to families on the home front   1 Jul 2008    Great Web Sites for Families of Deployed Soldiers Fantastic Web sites for the military family seeking answers to some of the most common deployment (and military-related) questions   1 May 2008    Offering Your View During Reintegration Redeployment is an amazing and joyful time for every military couple. But sometimes the reunion that comes with it can also be stressful. This worksheet is designed to allow the home front spouse to evaluate and clearly communicate his/her perspective during reintegration. This communication may allow the home front spouse to better express herself during reintegration, and communicate in a loving and understanding way that will allow her spouse to feel loved, appreciated and understood during reintegration.   1 May 2008    Reintegration Through His Eyes After spending months alone on the home front, it can be difficult for the home front spouse to understand the challenges his/her soldier may face during reintegration. This worksheet is designed to help the home front spouse better understand the experiences of her soldier, and therefore, more lovingly communicate during reintegration.   25 Apr 2008    The Power of Joy Throughout deployment and deployment extensions, it can sometimes become easy to fall into a trap of bitterness and self pity. Why me? Why my spouse? Why do I have to endure this trial by myself? But when viewed in the proper light, every obstacle is really an opportunity in disguise. You just have to be willing to choose joy to see it.   12 Feb 2008    Keeping the Spark Alive Deployment can be very hard on a marriage. But with a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of brainstorming, any spouse can make the long distance relationship exciting, and truly show her spouse that she loves him from afar. These are some ideas for keeping the spark in the long-distance relationship.   10 Feb 2008    Military Book Recommendations A list of book recommendations from Michelle Cuthrell   10 Feb 2008    Creating a Deployment Support Group Deployment support groups are incredible resources for military families facing deployment on the home front. Spouses gather once each week to read a book, discuss difficult deployment issues, offer encouragement and uplift one another. These are some ideas on how to start one in your military community.   9 Feb 2008    Chapter Discussion Questions Chapter by chapter Behind the Blue-Star Banner discussion questions for military families