Put your best face forward! During the Month of the Military Child, sailors from the USS Ronald Reagan sprang into action to express their gratitude to the pupils of Sullivans Elementary School in Yokosuka, Japan.
Even if military service is not simple, everyone is affected by the difficulties. Because military children struggle due to their parents’ jobs, the Defense Department recognizes them each April. To identify the month, the Defense Department also collaborates with nearby towns.
The sailors entertained the kids while there by holding races, playing tug of war, basketball, and other sports.
These neighbourhood gatherings honour the particular sacrifices made by military children while serving as a reminder of their strength.
According to Sesame Workshop, which collaborates with the Defense Department to enlighten military families through its websites and free apps, many military families have reported struggling with their emotional well-being since the pandemic began, much like many Americans.
- Movies highlighting the significance of celebrating small victories.
- Being adaptable with routines.
- Preparing meals.
- Even mastering stillness and silence.
Tara Wright, a mother of three and a military spouse who works at Sesame Workshop, said, “I know it’s not always straightforward, and self-care doesn’t always feel reachable. But these resources can serve as a friendly, small reminder that looking after yourself can be done with your family and that doing so actually benefits your family. It is not required to be separate.
For instance, Mae, Elmo’s mother, is shown in one of the movies getting angry while attempting to prepare dinner. Elmo badly wants his mother to play with him because his father is playing with the National Guard while he is abroad. Mae decides to order a pizza at that precise moment to keep things straightforward.
She immediately decides, “I don’t. I don’t have to do it all,” according to Wright. We are aware that not every night can be pizza night, but in that specific instance, she put aside a routine that was stressing her out in favour of spending time with Elmo. This was an act of self-care.
Wright, whose Marine Corps husband is on temporary assignment while she raises their three young boys, said she finds the films relatable. After all, the underlying themes are mainly for the parents, even though kids will love the movies because of the Sesame Street connection.
According to Wright, parents are shown through these that it’s normal to not always be at our best and that there are small, doable things we can do to feel a little bit better. “My kids don’t always understand why I’m upset, but they do realize that I’m choosing to engage with them. In these videos, that’s what children and parents, in particular, will see.
Other military-related tools from Sesame Workshop include those that can aid families in coping with deployments, ongoing caregiving, the move to civilian life, mourning, and more. A military spouse and mother of three called Alexis told Sesame Workshop that she found it challenging to explain to her 3-year-old why he couldn’t see his father while her husband was on temporary deployment. Alexis said the Sesame Workshop materials that address temporary duty were helpful.
Alexis said they experience different emotions and go through the phases of grief. “It’s almost like watching grief taking place,” she added. “Having someone like Elmo who is experiencing this as well… They may identify with his struggles and admire how he handles them. It’s pretty relieving to have someone as relatable as Elmo let you know that you’re not alone in this.
The examples of typical scenarios have struck a chord with many families.
Everyone appreciates military families for their service, but frequently, the difficulties we face daily go unacknowledged, Wright claimed. “It’s those everyday things that we’ve heard from families who just really appreciate being represented and feeling seen,” says the researcher.
