And these kids are the “lucky” military brats. They are able to attend a DoDEA school on the military post, where there is such an amazing support network. Our three children unfortunately had to attend high school on the “outside,” off the Army post where my husband is stationed, in a not-so-military-friendly town ... and let’s just say that there were several teachers who couldn’t care less about deployed parents. They often interjected their anti-Bush, anti-war views in the classroom, causing my kids to essentially “shut down.”
As wonderful as our children are, I do view them as casualties of this war. Unfortunately each of them went from being honor students to struggling through drug problems (mild to severe), something I never ever thought we would have to deal with. They have all come out the other side amazingly well (Thank you, God), but the teen years, with a father deployed multiple times, have been a nightmare on so many levels for our family.
But having said that ... let me also add that I feel that there is nowhere else I would rather be than supporting my husband and taking care of his children during this time in our country’s history. My husband is my hero on so many levels ... and so are our children.
God bless you, your husband, and the kids!
I wouldn’t consider the kids “casualties of war” though. Military and non-military children are faced with many challenges as they mature to adulthood. They aren’t pleasant to go through, but they do teach valuable lessons. The manner in which a child reacts to the challenge is more to personality than the parent’s deployment. All too often we ascribe the behavior to the latter. As a Navy brat and Army vet, I understand.
Thank you for sharing your story. I'm proud of your children as well as of you and your husband! Thank you all for your sacrifices and true grit!