Only two more to go in the A to Z Challenge… 

Y is for Youth aka The “Military Brat”

The month of April within the military community is known as the Month of the Military Child. Our kids take on every obstacle and hardship that is thrown their way without really knowing the wiser. They handle deployments and changing schools every couple of years with a sense of resiliency that should be admired. And recently, I was reminded of the fact that I will never understand all the sacrifices military kids make without even being aware that it isn’t “normal.” I came across a post written by a military child on PCSgrades blog page, titled What Your Military Kid Might Not Tell You About PCSing. If you haven’t already read it, I highly recommend heading over there and reading it yourself, just have a tissue ready! 

The post really got me thinking, in the past I’ve had thoughts of how the military lifestyle would affect our daughter, and I have thought about how hard it is going to be when my husband misses out on things. But I don’t think I’ve really considered the long-term effects of being a military brat will have on our little girl. 

She will most likely move, a lot. And she will grow up not really knowing another way. She will have to deal with missing daddy when he deploys and most likely won’t be able to comprehend why he can’t come home. She will have a greater understanding on the dangers of the world, far before I would like her to. And yet, on the plus side, she will have opportunities that other children can’t even dream of. She will get to see the world, and live in new and exciting places. 

Our daughter may only be a year and half old right now but she is already learning to adjust to our crazy life, and I can already tell that she will adjust to every adventure the military throws our way with a sense of ease I can only hope for. To be so young and unfazed by last-minute and impromptu traveling is incredible. My only wish is that she doesn’t grow up too fast!