My husband is in the air force and this is the 4th time he is going to the desert. My son (who will be 3 in Jan.) has coped fine with the other times but this time he just is not getting that daddy wont be home for another 5 more months. How can i get him to understand with out confusing him or making him worried?
2006-12-13 05:46:45 · 6 answers · asked by Suzy Q 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
***Hugs*** My husband is in the army and is gone right now so I understand. It can be so hard on kids, but this is what we have done.
Theres a book we have called "My daddy Is a Soldier" that explains it really well, they have seperate versions for each branch. When my dear hubby had to go to Korea last year they had to read it all the time, ages 3 and 4 at the time. We also drew pictures, mailed handprints, used the video cam and Instant messenger. The base library has this Video messenger program to help bridge the distance and also they do the whole "Quilts for kids" thing for children of deployed service members. Anyway I found my daddy is an airman on amazon http://www.amazon.com/My-Daddy-Airman-Kirk-Hilbrecht/dp/1889658383/sr=11-1/qid=1166039568/ref=sr_11_1/103-7147467-8883026
Also the website for our base has a printout activity book for kids, and we also pinpoint where daddy is going on a big map on our wall. Anyway I hope I helped. Also check out www.lovethetroops.com, you might like some of the stuff they have there. Good luck!
2006-12-13 06:56:35 · answer #1 · answered by Armywife 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's only 3 and doesn't have the capacity to understand the time frame of 5 months.
I'm sure right now he's wondering every day when it will be Christmas. I'm sure you say 2 weeks, or 12 days, or whatever that days "count" is. Then the next day, he'll ask the same question. Children that young really don't have a concept of time.
What I would suggest is taking a lot of pictures of your husband now, doing different things in and around the house, or even in your town. Every day or so, show your son a new picture, so he can see Daddy mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage, filling up the car with gas. I think this might be the best way to help your son.
I hope your husband is not going into harms way. If so, I wish him the best of luck and hope he returns home to you and your son safely.
2006-12-13 05:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by rockgeek56 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only thing I can think of is just try to tell him that Daddy's job needs him to be gone for a while. Be honest but simple to his questions.
If you get a better answer to this question, please pass it on because I'm sure I'll be dealing with this in the future. In the mean time, consider yourself lucky that he's on 6 month rotations, my husband gets it for 12. I was still in my first trimester when my husband left and our child will be almost 6 months by the time he gets to come home. He's missing everything. It's quite a sacrifice we all make, isn't it.
2006-12-13 05:56:14 · answer #3 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him know daddy is at work far away, that he loves you and your son very much but he has to work to take care of the family. Help him write daddy and tell your husband to write him and read the letters to him often. Let him say hello on the phone when he calls. If you have a web cam let daddy see your son also, and speak to him if you have a microphone. The letters help a lot. I'm speaking from experience.
2006-12-13 05:54:06 · answer #4 · answered by nanny4hap 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off be honest with him, let him know exactly where daddy is and let him know that daddy needs to work for you to live in that nice house and for him to have all those nice things and toys. He is having trouble with daddy leaving because he is getting older and understands more. Things will be fine. Remember that in order to succeed and have good things in life you need to sacrifice. Good luck
2006-12-13 05:56:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
just tell him daddy is going on a trip and won't be home for many sleeps.
2006-12-13 05:52:17 · answer #6 · answered by nanabooboo 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋