Naturally Healthy Parenting The parent's guide to a healthy family
Despite what some people might think, raising children by yourself is a tough job. I’m fortunate that I have a significant other to support me in raising our child. But when it’s just me and “the kid” at home, I struggle. It’s hard to do anything around the house apart from supervising, playing and comforting our little bundle of joy.
So you can imagine how much harder life is if your other half is in the military and you’re alone with your child for weeks or even months on end. If that sounds like a predicament you are in, don’t worry because you’re not the only one!
Here are some super tips for all you military mothers out there:
Build up a support network
It doesn’t matter whether you are living on or off-base. What does matter is that you have built up a support network. The people in your network could be other military mothers, friends and relatives.
It’s important that you have people to “lean on” when you need help. For example, sometimes you might need some time to do your household chores, or just to have some alone time. In others, you might wish to attend to pressing personal matters.
Don’t live in a home you hate
One of the things that can make you feel depressed about your life is living somewhere you hate. The good news is that you don’t have to put up with living on military bases! Places like Ultris Rancho Del Oro offer the best of both worlds: off-base living but with a military community around you!
In some cases, you might find that it’s cheaper to live off-base. When you’re bringing up a child alone temporarily, the extra money will sure come in handy.
Don’t despair; babies DO grow up
It might feel like you have to give up your old life once you have a baby. But you should keep telling yourself that littles ones do grow up eventually! Before you know it, they will soon reach a point where they go to nursery or school.
As time goes on, you will find that you can do the things you used to do before you became a parent. You should use this time to enjoy your child as a baby because time passes quickly!
Enroll your baby in a playgroup or toddler school.
When you are caring for a baby and your spouse is deployed, juggling all the responsibilities can become overwhelming at times. That is why enrolling your child in a playgroup or toddler school in Henrico, VA (or elsewhere) when they reach the appropriate age is necessary.
These environments can provide a safe and secure space where your child can have fun and learn simultaneously. It’s a place where they can interact and play with other children, engage in age-appropriate activities, and begin to develop important social and cognitive skills.
Also, enrolling your child can give you a valuable break and moment of relief from the constant demands of caregiving. It can allow you to recharge and attend to other responsibilities, knowing that your child is in a nurturing environment where their development and well-being are prioritized. You can also make new friends at playgroups when you drop off your child, and it’s even a way to build up your support network that I mentioned earlier.
Keep in touch with your spouse
Thanks to the Internet, it’s possible to make video calls to people with ease. Whether you use FaceTime on your iPhone or Skype on your PC, you can keep in regular contact with your spouse. It’s good for you because it means you won’t feel so sad living without your significant other.
And it’s good for your other half because he gets to see his two favourite people in the world while he’s on active duty!
