The Importance of Routine for Children During Deployment

Deployment can be a challenging time for military families, especially for children who must adapt to the absence of a parent or loved one. Amid the emotional upheaval and uncertainty, maintaining a routine can provide a vital sense of stability and security for children. Here’s why a consistent routine is essential during deployment and how it can positively impact your child’s emotional well-being.

1. Providing a Sense of Security

Children thrive on predictability. When a parent is deployed, their world can feel turned upside down, leading to feelings of anxiety and insecurity. A daily routine acts as an anchor, giving children something familiar to hold onto when other aspects of life feel unpredictable. Knowing what to expect each day can help ease their worries and reinforce a sense of normalcy, even in the face of significant changes.

2. Reducing Anxiety and Stress

A structured routine can help reduce anxiety and stress by providing children with a clear understanding of what will happen throughout their day. Activities such as bedtime rituals, meal times, yoga/meditation practice and after-school routines become touchstones that children can rely on. These predictable patterns help them feel more in control, which is especially important when they may feel helpless or confused about the deployment.

3. Encouraging Emotional Expression

Incorporating time into the routine for children to express their feelings is crucial during deployment. This could be through regular conversations, journaling, drawing, or even video messages to the deployed parent. Creating a safe and consistent space for children to share their emotions helps them process their feelings and reinforces that their concerns are heard and valued.

4. Maintaining Connections

Routine can also include scheduled times for communication with the deployed parent, whether through video calls, letters, or care packages. Regular check-ins can help maintain the parent-child bond and remind the child that, despite the distance, their relationship remains strong. Even when communication isn’t possible every day, knowing that it’s part of the routine can help children look forward to those moments.

5. Supporting Academic Success

A stable routine can extend to academic responsibilities, such as homework time and school activities. During deployment, it’s essential to maintain a focus on education, as schoolwork can offer a constructive distraction and a sense of accomplishment. A consistent routine around schoolwork ensures that children stay engaged with their studies and continue to progress academically, despite the challenges they may be facing at home.

6. Promoting Healthy Habits

Daily routines that include regular meals, physical activity, and adequate sleep contribute to a child’s overall well-being. During deployment, it’s easy for healthy habits to fall by the wayside as families adjust to the absence of a loved one. However, maintaining these routines is crucial for the child’s physical and emotional health. Ensuring that children get proper nutrition, exercise, and rest will help them cope better with the emotional demands of deployment.

7. Building Resilience

Over time, the routine becomes a framework within which children can develop resilience. The consistent structure helps them learn to adapt to change while finding comfort in the stability of their daily life. This resilience is an invaluable skill that will serve them well not only during deployment but throughout their lives.

Resources Available to Assist

Several resources are available to help military families create and maintain routines during deployment:

• Military OneSource: This free service provides support and resources for military families, including tips on establishing routines, managing stress, and accessing counseling services. They offer 24/7 support and can be a valuable resource for families needing guidance during deployment.

• Sesame Street for Military Families: Sesame Workshop offers a variety of resources specifically for military families, including videos, activities, and articles focused on helping children cope with deployment. Their “Comfort Crew for Military Kids” provides tools to help children maintain routines and manage emotions during challenging times.

• The National Military Family Association (NMFA): NMFA offers a range of programs and resources designed to support military families during deployment. They provide educational materials, webinars, and community connections to help families maintain stability and build resilience.

Research-Based Support for Routine in Children

Research supports the importance of routine in children’s lives, particularly during stressful times like deployment:

• “The Role of Structure and Routine in Early Child Development” by the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that regular routines provide children with a sense of security and help them develop self-control. The study highlights how consistent daily activities can reduce anxiety and promote emotional stability in children.

• “The Impact of Routine on Child Development” published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry discusses how routines contribute to the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. The article notes that routines are particularly important during periods of change, as they provide a reliable framework that helps children adapt more easily to new situations.

Conclusion

While deployment is an inherently challenging experience, maintaining a routine can significantly ease the emotional strain on children. By providing a sense of security, reducing anxiety, encouraging emotional expression, and supporting healthy habits, a consistent routine helps children navigate the complexities of deployment with greater confidence and resilience. For military families, establishing and maintaining a daily routine is one of the most powerful tools in helping children feel safe, loved, and connected, even when a parent is far from home.

Always,

Tricia

PS: Please join us on social media at Facebook and Instagram for fun updates. We like sharing to our network.

FB: As Much As The Stars

IG: @asmuchasthestars

We also still have our free 14 page coloring/activity book available on our website: www.asmuchasthestars.com

We would love if you can share this info with your friends and family who may be interested.