Engage. Educate. Encourage. EMPOWER.
Like many families at this time of year, you might be sending your kids back to school. Now that they’ll be occupied with school during the day, activities, sports, and homework in the evening, you may find you have more time to kick back and relax. Why not do so with a good book?
Here is a list of books that you can add to your TBR pile for when the kids are busy:
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It was at 11:00 at night as I was laying on a borrowed, creaky air bed in a mostly empty house, that I began thinking of our new home, one we’ve only been in for a week, as our home. There are a lot of quotes out there about what “home” is or what it means to be “home.”
There’s a saying often heard in Army life: “Home is where the Army sends us.”
Most of us know this. We move every 2-3 years, sometimes more frequently, adding new rugs, new curtains, selling old things that might not fit, and hanging pictures to make our borrowed housing feel like home. Other things that we adore but don’t fit may go into storage, while some homes require us to buy things to fill space and we secretly hope we can fit them into the next one. Our home isn’t permanent, but temporary. It moves as we move.
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When you marry a service member, your life often becomes more about them than you. Where you live is dependent on your service member.
You must know your service member’s social security number to make medical appointments and, eventually, you rattle it off without a second thought. When someone asks for your social, it seems harder to remember.
Your service member’s name is on your ID card along with your own. For a period of time, their social also appeared on your ID card.
You can’t take charge of your move or your house without a power of attorney specifically stating that you can. That can extend to financial aspects, too.
You quit jobs because following your service member is more important to you than your career. You frequently choose love over career progression.
All of these situations can make you feel extremely dependent on your spouse. It can spark the question, “What about me?”
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Have you ever wondered if other milspouses struggle with the same experiences as you? How do your concerns compare to the concerns of other families? When using military or civilian services, have you caught yourself wishing they understood you better?
Here’s your chance. Help Blue Star Families by taking their survey here. The survey deadline is June 21.
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“Find your tribe.”
It’s one of the first things I heard when becoming a military spouse.
But what does that mean?
In anthropology, a tribe is defined as a human social group. But more in depth, a tribe is almost a subculture of a group of people.
For the longest time, I thought “finding your tribe” meant finding dear friends who would accept me as I am. But as I prepare to leave this place I’ve called home for the last three years, I realize it’s much more than that.
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If you’ve paid any attention to social media over the last few months, then you’ve probably seen numerous references to the Netflix show “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.”
And with good reason.
The KonMari Method, developed by Marie Kondo when she was a 19-year-old college student, is a helpful way to get a room or your entire house in order. Perfect for those who want to have an organized home, but doubly useful for those of us who find themselves moving every two or three years. Because seriously, how do we accumulate so much stuff?
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If you’ve received overseas orders, your mind is probably going in about five different directions.
You’re realizing you’re moving far away. Across an ocean.
You’re realizing it’s an unfamiliar place. Like, really unfamiliar.
You’re thinking of all the steps it takes to get moving. So. Many. Steps.
And you’re likely afraid of the unknown. Because, who isn’t?
But I’m here to tell you one simple thing: Don’t be afraid.
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Whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around each year, it’s when most people take the time to show some major love to their partner. Be it with flowers, chocolates, jewelry, or other major purchases, you’re likely to see plenty of people in the check-out line buying last-minute gifts to show appreciation.
But these big gifts aren’t really necessary. And we don’t need to limit the celebration of our relationships for a few days out of the year.
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When married to a service member, you may sometimes feel like you take a backseat in military life. You put a lot of your own energy behind your service member spouse, encouraging, planning, packing, and moving, among other things. You celebrate the promotions, the graduations, getting that perfect duty station… But sometimes, as a spouse, you find yourself wanting more. You may find yourself asking, is it my turn yet?
Wouldn’t it be nice if someone not only helped you answer a “why not” question, but helped you achieve even one small step toward that goal?
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