Deployments and Separations -
Tips for Surviving Deployment and Separation

- VOLUNTEER Helping other is good medicine for your mental and spiritual health
- CALL the State Family Program Coordinator to ask about volunteer opportunities or to just have a conversation
- SET A GOAL. Start the program or project you’ve been putting off. Begin a self-improvement program. Go back to school; learn a new skill or hobby. Do something for yourself
- INITIATE, don’t wait for the phone to ring. Plan an outing or a special dinner, then call several friends to join you
- TRAVEL. New scenery and a change of pace if only for a day or two can do wonders for the spirit. Plan on taking a friend and making a day out of it.
- GO TO WORK. A full or part-time job can provide extra income as well as opportunities for interaction
- TAKE A BREAK. Take time away from your children. Single parenting wears you down, so go to dinner or see a movie with friends once a week.
- LAUGH. Don’t lose your sense of humor. Take time to smell the roses and to enjoy them.
- DON’T FELL GUILTY about going out with friends and leaving your children with a sitter.
- KEEP A JOURNAL of your thoughts and activities while your service member is away to help them catch up when they return. Include snapshots of you and the children taken while they were away.
- JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP. Whether it is your Family Readiness Group, or a group at your church or work, the support of friends makes the going easier
- KNOW AT LEAST 2 OF YOUR NEIGHBORS. You may need their help on an emergency basis, and they can offer day-to-day support.
- DON’T always call or run home to mom or dad if the going gets rough. That, at best, is a temporary solution, and may become very expensive
- DIFFERENCES. If you and your spouse have some differences try to work them out before they leave.
- FIND A BUDDY. Another Guard family member who is also alone temporarily will make a great companion. Time passes quicker with a friend.
- LITTLE THINGS CAN HELP A LOT. Cook a special dish that you enjoy, but that you spouse dislikes, start a small project, do some physical labor, it will help relieve emotional tiredness and stress
- TIME TO ADJUST. When your service member returns home give them time to adjust. Don’t hand them a list of repairs and problems as soon as they walk in the door, and don’t smother them with attention. Allow them some time alone.