Most children have both parents at home, but some have to deal with their parents being in a war zone. Some of the struggles kids face when having parents in the military are moving to many different places and having their parent(s) being deployed.
About 89% of military children said that being “the new kid” in a school is one of the hardest parts about living in a military life. Being the new kid is hard because the new kid does not know anyone or where to go. Also, the kids in the school may not be inviting and everyone at the school has their own group of friends.
“Moving to different places is a struggle for us military kids because you lose contact with all your old friends, and when you move to a new place you have to get used to the area. Also, you always know you’re going to move again so it’s hard to let people into your life because they won’t be in your life for a long time,” said Baylee Teauge, junior.
Military kids are constantly making new friends in each new state they move to. Military kids are shown to be more adaptable to new places and people. The National Military Family Association had a study on nearly 700 now adult military kids and 80% can relate to anyone regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or nationality.
One of the struggles these children have is being separated from their parent who is deployed. Not knowing what happens in the warzone and not being able to talk to them every day. Military kids only get to talk to their parents an average of once every two weeks by the phone.
“You learn how to cope with your parents leaving, no matter how hard it is. There isn’t any way you can stop them from leaving. I try to not think of him going into a warzone and more on a long vacation. I just realized I couldn’t revolve my life around my dad being gone because what if he never came home? So I got involved in sports, sports and other activities to just be busy,” said Molly Flynn, senior.
About 30% of military children go see a therapist at some point in their life. A child is most likely to see a therapist once they realize what and where their parent is going and the risks that come with it; which comes around the age 10. In most cases the children do not need to see a therapist anymore after a year or two from the National Military Family Association.
“One thing military life has taught me is to always put family first,” said Nick Teague, freshman. Teague has never known if his dad will come back home safe so he always tried to make the best of it.
A military child has to be independent and has to be able to live without many aspects.
“It has taught me how to interact with many people of any age, how to take responsibility and exceed and how to react in certain situations, and be respectful,” said Teague’s older brother, Baylee.
The people who were interviewed found “being able to live on a military base” was interesting and special about military life. The Teague’s and Flynn all said it’s like a “small military town” that no one can relate to.
“How you know everyone that lives around you and you get to personally meet the men and women serving our country.” Also, they all said having friends live on a military base is “helpful because they know what you’re going through and make it easier to talk about.” Lastly, they all said “that no matter what they wouldn’t change their military life for the world because it made them who they are today.”