How to Support a Spouse During Military Deployment

Supporting your spouse while he is on a military deployment can be difficult, especially when you're the one who is at home waiting and worrying. He needs your love and encouragement more than ever though through this hard time. Making an effort to support him will ultimately keep the two of you closer together no matter how far apart you may be at the moment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Keep in touch by email and phone if possible. If your spouse has access to his email and to a phone while he is on deployment, email him daily to keep his spirits up, and keep your cell phone with you at all times so that you can take his call no matter where you happen to be.
2. Send care packages regularly that are stocked with his favorite food, books, magazines, DVD's and anything else that you think will help him pass the time and forget for a moment that he is on deployment.
3. Write thoughtful, supportive letters. Your spouse needs a lot of encouragement to get through this time, and receiving actual letters in the mail that he can hold on to and read whenever he needs more encouragement will help him to get through it. Include recent photographs of you, your children and other members of the family in each letter.
4. Involve your children, family and friends by asking them to write emails and letters and to send packages and photos to your deployed spouse. Your spouse needs everyone's support through this time, not only yours.
5. Stay positive. Even though you will undoubtedly go through tough times while your spouse is on deployment, keep your words, emails and letters to him as positive and uplifting as possible.
6. Tell him you love him every chance you get. This is not the time for arguments. Let your spouse know that you are there for him and that you are in love with him. Stay close during this time period so that when he comes home, there was never any doubt in his mind who would be there waiting for him.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be alarmed if your spouse seems distant when you hear from him. He may not have a lot of positive things to say about his situation, and he may not be allowed to give you details on what he is doing. It is your job as a spouse to stay strong and to help him get through this time, even if he isn't quite being himself.