how do you handle a spouse's deployment?

Answer 1

You have to stay busy. That really is the key. Write letters, keep a journal and find a hobby. It's tough. It gets easier each time, but you never really get used to it. You learn to rely on your family and friends. They help keep you strong. The military community is also great. You have so much in common with them and it's just a natural bond. If you have kids, you throw yourself into whatever they're doing and raise them the very best you can. You keep your love and faith in the one deployed. Prayer can go a long way too.

You make sure all the bills are paid and that your deployed spouse has nothing to worry about. They go through so much as it is, they don't need extra worry. Keep up with the finances and if something goes wrong, you fix it as soon as you possibly can. You become mechanic, supply, supervisor....every position there is, you're it while he's gone. Attend you FGR meetings and know your Chain of Concern. They're going to be your best source of news and updates. Don't worry if you don't hear from your deployed spouse. Internet goes down, they get busy and they're dog tired every day.

You become stronger and more independent that you realized you could. You love them more than ever. It's rough, but it's possible to survive it.

Answer 2

Keep busy. If you are a stay at home mom, go back to work, you'll need the time away to stay sane! Depending on where your spouse is deployed, he/she may have frequent internet access. I actually talk to my spouse nearly every day on instant messenger. It's tough, but keeping as busy as possible helps. Trying to set goals for yourself might help the time pass too, like getting in shape or learning something new, maybe starting a class or new hobby... that helps keep the conversations fresh too, something I find difficult to do sometimes. If you have a local spouses club that can be a big help. I moved closer to family so that I could go back to work, but it depends on how close to your family you are... I wish you the best of luck and hope that your spouse returns safely!

Answer 3

Keep very busy. Prayers works too. And when your spouse calls, always be in a happy mood, and never fight with them, and always let them talk about what they want to talk about. Always be positive towards them. Send lots of care-packages, that can get really fun! Hang out with your friends, to get your mind off things. Go to work, go to school. Stay close to your family. My husband is in Iraq right now, and we are both doing real well. He is a little less then half way done! Take care!

Answer 4

You need to be strong for him. By showing him you can take care of things at home, will allow him to do his job better. I am in the military, and have been deployed. My wife was my biggest fan. Had she spent our time on the phone whining and comlaining, letting me know all the things that had went wrong since I had been gone, My mind would have been on those things instead of the mission at hand. You will need support for those things. See if your husbands unit has a family support group. They are great at keeping things together for the spouses at home. But remember, show him you are behind him 100% and that will keep him safer on mission

Answer 5

It will be difficult, but try to keep yourself busy and see if there is a support group in your area. It will help immensely to have people to talk to that are going thru the same separation. I think normal deployments are for about 6 months, but time will go quickly.

Answer 6

One day at a time, you can do it. Find a support group. Get phone cards so that he can call you. If you can spring for a satellite phone, go for it you both will feel better.

Form a group in your area to send regular care packages to his unit, they all will appreciate it.

Don't tell him bad things when he is there, he already is under more stress then you can imagine. Send him post cards and books and decks of cards and pictures, movies, CDs. The more you are doing (especially if it is for him) and the busier you are, the faster the time will go.

Tell him that everyone on Yahoo really appreciate what he is doing. Thank him for all of us.

And thank to you for being there for him.

Answer 7

Make sure you have a job to support yourself for extra things you need. Also, try to find a group through the internet of wives who are in the same situation so that you can support each other. There may be a support group in your community. Check with your mayors office to get started and be sure to communicate with your husband via the internet and through letters as often as you can.

Answer 8

deployment is only as rough as you make it. when my husand went i was pregnant w/twins and we have 3 other kids. i moved away from ft hood..and closer to my mom. i would write letters to him daily..found stuff to keep me busy. found new hobbies...take the kids to the park, started obedience classes w/the dog..anything to help time pass. if you want a happy soldier when you come home..dont spend all his combat pay. start a savings account..my husand loved that idea. and most of all...stay faithful to him because you could never see him again.

Answer 9

I moved back to the town my extended family lived in. Since I had two young children, they were able to help me a lot.
I also took several classes and tried to keep busy with things I enjoyed.
I wrote letters and sent cookies once a week.

Answer 10

Well, my mother handled it by getting emotional support from friends, family and her church, making regular contact with my father, and taking care of things for him while he was gone. It was very helpful to have contact with other spouses and families who were in her position.

Good luck to you. I hope your spouse comes home soon and I hope you have a network of friends and family to help you while your spouse is gone.

thank you for your personal sacrifice in serving our country.