he is very close to his dad.
2006-07-17 04:39:51 · 9 answers · asked by mommy5 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
If you explain it simply a 4-year-old boy can understand that soldiers sometimes have to fight to protect their families and their countries. I'm sure your son sees his father as a hero of sorts, and this is a chance to reinforce that truth.
Be sure to give him pictures and videos to look at while Daddy is gone. There will be days when your son is sad or even frustrated at not having his father there. This is all normal - no "counseling" needed. Just be patient with him. After all, you are feeling these things, too!
I've been there (husband deployed twice and we have two children) myself so I understand.
Keep your son busy and give him something to look forward to - Daddy coming home! We would do a countdown on a little chalkboard.
God bless you and please thank this wonderful man for his service.
2006-07-17 04:53:47 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that is a hard thing to do with a child. I have not been in your shoe yet and Hope never will. My son was in the navy and I know how painful it is, but going to war, I never experience that. So I just hope you find the right words for your child. If I was to give you some details how to explain to him, words could never be enough, you don't want to understand. Just tell your child, Daddy will be back with the help of God. That you don't know when but he will return.. That is having a lot of faith.
So I will pray for you husband to come home soon.
God bless.
2006-07-17 11:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by Evy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We went through this with my son about 3 1/2 years ago, he was a little younger than your son is now. Only it was my Dad, his grandfather, that went away. We explained that our country is our family just like our aunts, uncles etc. And that when someone does something bad to your country/family you have to defend them. And that was what Poppa was going to do. We took him to see Poppa's plane fly away and promised we'd be there when he returned. Ethan put his own spin on things and began wearing camo the day my Dad left. He wore something camouflaged EVERYDAY. To the point that we almost bought out our local Army/Navy store. We have pictures of him that we sent weekly to my Dad to keep him updated on the camo-front. And we kept our promise, my Dad arrived home at mid-night and my son was there to greet Poppa. I've never been prouder in my life. I have two brothers who are now serving and my son wears his Nay and Air Force clothes proudly. God bless your husband and thank him for those of us he keeps safe.
2006-07-17 12:07:49 · answer #3 · answered by Little Mommy of Two 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is 4 years old, you dont explain that he is off to war! You just explain that he is gonna be gone for a while!! He is much to young to understand that daddy is going away to fight for others freedom.
2006-07-17 11:45:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to explain it on a 4 yo understanding which will be very simple and honest. although i would suggest that you consult a child psychologist or go to support services within the branch that your husband is serving. each military branch now has a vast amount of programs of support both mentally and physcially for you and your 4 yo, use them thats what they are there for and they are free. also, you could use some 'back up' and support from other mom's who are dealing or have dealt with the same issues. good luck.....
2006-07-17 11:46:34 · answer #5 · answered by hell_in_a_handbasket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your son that your Dad love his son and country so much, and thats why he is doing what he is doing. I am sure you can reword that in a better way than I can, but I hope that helps or gives you some idea what to say.
2006-07-17 11:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by dfdswe e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that dad has to go away for awhile to keep the bad guys from coming. He will miss him but he has to do it to keep him and his friends safe. btw thank your husband for me as he is doing a great thing for our country and we are all proud of him. As his little boy will be too.
2006-07-17 11:55:14 · answer #7 · answered by Jim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough one...explain to him that he has to go and make sure that we are safe because there are bad people who want to take away our rights, oh i don't know, good luck.
2006-07-17 11:45:22 · answer #8 · answered by laughoutloud_247 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mommy5 i believe that paxicotrader has done the best job of helping you here, i myself went through this with my family many times in 26 years and my wife explained things to my children in the same manner, this will be as hard on your husband as it will be on you...my prayers are with you as they are with all the families and the men and women who serve this nation so proudly........may God help speed their safe return.
2006-07-17 13:26:11 · answer #9 · answered by Ranger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋