I have a fierce passion for the military and military families, but there is one aspect of both of these groups that is often forgotten: the military child.
In case you didn't know it, April is the month of the military child. There are currently about 1.7 million children connected to the military, 75% of whom are school-aged. Over 80% of these students attend U.S. public schools...so your local schools most likely have a child impacted by military service.
As adults - especially if we are associated with the military - we can have an understanding for military life. We may not always like it, but we understand the concepts of transition, hurry up and wait, and separations. These concepts aren't so easily understandable - or explainable - to our children.
The average military child will move every three years (that's 6-9 times during their K-12 years). They also face numerous separations from one or both of their parents. These can cause turmoil that need to be addressed through resources and programs that are support not only the child, but also their parents or caregivers, teachers, and their communities-at-large...remembering, military families don't always live close to a military base so their communities really are everywhere.
Military children are some of the bravest, most resilient children I know (and I'm not just biased because my children are a part of this group). I hope that you will join me this month in honoring them.
Be sure to Purple Up on April 18th!
In case you didn't know it, April is the month of the military child. There are currently about 1.7 million children connected to the military, 75% of whom are school-aged. Over 80% of these students attend U.S. public schools...so your local schools most likely have a child impacted by military service.
As adults - especially if we are associated with the military - we can have an understanding for military life. We may not always like it, but we understand the concepts of transition, hurry up and wait, and separations. These concepts aren't so easily understandable - or explainable - to our children.
The average military child will move every three years (that's 6-9 times during their K-12 years). They also face numerous separations from one or both of their parents. These can cause turmoil that need to be addressed through resources and programs that are support not only the child, but also their parents or caregivers, teachers, and their communities-at-large...remembering, military families don't always live close to a military base so their communities really are everywhere.
Military children are some of the bravest, most resilient children I know (and I'm not just biased because my children are a part of this group). I hope that you will join me this month in honoring them.
Be sure to Purple Up on April 18th!
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