• Home
  • Military Discounts
    • Military & Veteran Discount List
    • Local Military & Veterans Discounts
    • Apple Military Discount
    • Veteran & Military Cell Phone Discounts
    • Gym and Health Club Discounts
    • Wedding Military Discounts – Dresses, Rings, Venues & More
    • Under Armour Military & Veterans Discount
  • Benefits
    • 10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About
    • 5 Top Military Spouse Benefits
    • Medal of Honor Benefits
    • Purple Heart Benefits
    • Veterans Health A to Z
  • Housing & Home Ownership
    • 2020 BAH Rates
    • 2019 BAH Rates
    • BAH Calculator
    • VA Loan Limits by County
    • VA Home Loan Guide
    • 5 Benefits of a VA Loan
    • VA Home Loan Tools
  • Money & Finance
    • 2020 Defense Budget
    • 2020 Military Pay Charts
    • 2019 Pay Charts
    • 2020 BAS Rates
    • Military Pay Calculator
    • Military Pay Dates
    • VA Disability Rates
    • COLA Watch 2020
  • Jobs
    • Veteran Friendly Employers
    • Military Spouse Employment Preference
    • Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)
    • Security Clearance Jobs After the Military
  • Education
    • Veteran Friendly Colleges
    • Online Colleges with Military Discounts
    • Veteran Friendly Colleges Guide
    • Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
    • Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for Post 9/11 GI Bill
    • Forever GI Bill
  • Resources
    • How to Get a Veterans ID Card
    • Veterans ID on Driver’s License or ID Card by State
    • Military ID Cards
    • Military Calendar
    • State Veteran’s Benefits
    • Legislation Watch

Military Benefits

Military Benefits Information for US Military, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Military Spouses and Military Family

You are here: Home / Resources / Ways to Cope with Holiday Separation

Ways to Cope with Holiday Separation

by MilitaryBenefits

Coping With Holiday SeparationThe holidays can be stressful in and of themselves. When a loved one is deployed, it can be downright overwhelming for the ones “holding down the fort” due to feelings of loneliness, heartache, and frustration.

Though nothing can replace having your service member back home, it is important to connect. Reinforce that you’re still a family – no matter the distance. Here are some ways to bridge the gap:

  • Become pen pals! For the family members at home, children can write a handwritten letter to mom or dad and include all the ways they are loved and appreciated. Consider encouraging them to express themselves by drawing pictures. For the deployed service member, be sure to respond considering the delivery delay. You can write several letters at one time to be read on different days like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • In the same vein as writing letters, send a special holiday care package to your deployed loved one. You can include special notes, photos, and treats. Be sure to get the kids involved by asking them what they want to send or what they think mom or dad would like. You know those hand turkey drawings elementary school kids always do around Thanksgiving? Include that in the package as a way to share activities with your spouse.
  • Continue to maintain traditions or make new one. This is especially important to help younger children. Do you normally read a bedtime story to your daughter? Have the deployed spouse record themselves reading a holiday themed story for her. Or start a new tradition by making an ornament annually with the year or your current location on it. Then send it home for placement on the tree.
  • With photo editing tools easily accessible, it’s simpler than ever to include your deployed family member in your holiday greeting card. One idea would be to have your loved one take a picture with a sign that says “Happy” and those back home take a photo with a sign that says “Holidays.” Combine the two photos for a unique greeting card.
  • With the advances in technology, there’s no shortage of ways to keep in touch online. Be sure to communicate through email, Skype, messaging apps, and/or social media as often as possible. You might even be able to include your deployed service member in some of the holiday activities. For example, open presents over video chat or stream your child’s school play over Facebook live.

Though creating memories and traditions with your deployed loved one is important for the spouse at home, it’s equally important to remember to take time out for self-care. This can be done by connecting with your surroundings. Here are some ideas:

  • Take some time for yourself. Do things you enjoy such as exercise, going to the movies, shopping, or take an art class.
  • Help someone else during their time of need. Get involved in local volunteer activities in your community.
  • Connect with others. If you have friends who are also experiencing a holiday separation, host a potluck party or other gathering with people who can relate to each other. Or simply say “yes” to invites from others. Even if you only go for an hour, it can promote good mental health to be surrounded by other people.
  • Engage in the holiday activities happening in your local community such as tree lighting and caroling.
  • Know that it’s OK to feel sad and to cry. Give yourself permission to feel. Discuss your feelings with family and trusted friends. Don’t be afraid to talk it out with a therapist. There’s no shame in asking for support or allowing yourself to vent.

Holiday commercials coupled with the rush to buy gifts and plan events can make us lose sight of what’s important during the “most wonderful time of the year.” Use the tips in this article to make the best of the separation while still celebrating the season.


About The Author

Kristen Baker-Geczy is a communications specialist, active duty military spouse, and former MWR marketing coordinator. She was also deployed to Southwest Asia as an Air Force contractor.


Related Articles
Christmas Event Calendar
Thanksgiving Military Family Month
How to Help Veterans During the Holidays Adopt a Soldier for the Holidays

Filed Under: Resources

Comments

Popular Articles

New VA Loan Limit Rules

VA Disability Rates

2020 Military Pay (Just Announced)

Military Pay Calculator

2020 BAH Rates (Just Announced)

Newsletter Signup

Follow Us

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • twitter
  • youtube
Military Benefits · About · Advertise · Contact · Corrections · Businesses: Add Discount · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Disclosure · Newsletter · Unsubscribe · Copyright © 2019
Disclaimer: This is a private website that is NOT affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. This site contains information about GI Bill benefits, VA loans, news and services for military veterans and is not connected with any government agency. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you would like to find more information about benefits offered by Veteran Affairs, visit the official site for veterans benefits at Veterans Affairs. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Gainful Employment Disclosure: For more information about program cost, educational debt, and completion rates of students who attended these programs, visit here.