Topics

What It Means to Visit Relatives for a Military Family

October 23, 2023

With frequent moves, many military families find themselves miles apart from their loved ones and extended family throughout the year. This separation can be even more pronounced during the holidays, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. That’s why family visits — especially during the holidays — are vital to…...

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A Military Mom's Postpartum Journey

August 31, 2023

Bringing home a baby can be overwhelming. I know that I’ve had my fair share of anxiety, confusion, and helplessness during my postpartum period, but I have also learned so much about myself through this journey. When military life is thrown into the mix, the challenges of dealing with postpartum…...

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Tips for Homeschooling Your Military Child - 2023

August 10, 2023

  Whether the reason is compromised immune systems, personal or religious beliefs, or a sense of inadequate care, more and more parents are choosing to homeschool. In fact, homeschooling enrollment has increased 30 percent1 since the pandemic. Many military families are embracing homeschooling as a non-traditional educational approach to maintain…...

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5 Ways Operation Little Learners Helped My Military Kid

August 8, 2023

  Did you know that the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) offers free preschool for military families? Operation Little Learners is a military preschool program offered at many ASYMCA locations across the country. Military mom, Julianna Burson shares her first-hand experiences during the 2.5 years that her little one attended the…...

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Meet Our Writers: Military Spouse Writing Program

August 2, 2023

  Meet Our Authors The Armed Services YMCA is honored to work with six talented writers. Each of these extraordinary women shares a common bond: they are the wives of military members. But they are more than spouses—they are mothers, professionals, students, and hobbyists. These women come from different backgrounds,…...

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Reinventing Yourself and Career Path as a Military Spouse

August 1, 2023

  For as long as I can remember I have always been a listening ear, nurturer and comforter to both family and friends. After some time, it became very clear to me that advocating for others was my purpose. At the time of this major decision, my husband had just…...

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Supporting Military Kids Through a PCS Move to a New School

July 27, 2023

  For military families, making a move that includes starting over is a regular occurrence. In fact, it’s so frequent that military children face an average 6-9 transfers before even reaching high school graduation. With permanent change of station (PCS) moves often disrupting their academic journey in the middle of…...

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How to Prepare for a Second Baby

July 25, 2023

  You would think that since you are no longer a first-time parent that having a second child would be easy. But the truth is, it’s often considered the most difficult transition. Each of your children will be vastly different, and the most frustrating part is that when you think…...

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Self-Care Tips for Military Spouses

July 21, 2023

  You cannot pour from an empty cup. Many of us have heard this phrase before, but what does it mean? Not pouring from an empty cup is to stop putting everyone’s needs above your own. It is ensuring your desires are fulfilled first so you avoid becoming burnt out…...

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Making Lasting Memories through Every Military Move

July 20, 2023

  “Parting is such sweet sorrow….” -William Shakespeare I never understood the full meaning of that saying until I became immersed in military life — where life is constantly changing, farewells are common, and there is the excitement and trepidation of adventure: new opportunities, new places, and new people. Saying…...

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