Deployments put stress on children

NORFOLK, Va. - A report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics puts in writing what Navy families have known for years, deployments can create a lot of stress for kids.

Sonya, a Navy wife is learning this as she lives through deployment for the first time.  Her husband, of less then a year,  got surprise orders to Iraq. 

"You know its hard that, he found a Dad and then he has to leave him," she told WAVY News 10.

Her husband made a call from Iraq and sent her to Fleet and Family Services for help.  

"It'ss different parenting in a military family, not worse then, just different then, because there's special challenges," said Fleet and Family Services Parent Educator Margie Russell.

The Fleet and Family staff offers counseling and parenting classes.

Counselor Trina Laverty said, "Maybe people think that's where you're supposed to go when you've gotten in trouble for doing something with your child, not necessarily that this is just a good resource I can use that's going to make me a better parent."

Sonya is learning a lot - including how small children, worried about a deployed parent become clingy, and why older kid's grades sometimes drop.

"The child will say I'm having trouble concentrating or focusing, worried about my Dad or Mom who's away, and I'm worried about what they're doing," Laverty explained.

Sonya got a stop sign for his son's desk.  When his mind starts to wander, the sign reminds him to focus.  At home, a kitchen timer reminds him when to move from one task to the next.  Most importantly he emails, calls, or skypes Dad as much as possible.

"The more connection thats made during deployment, the easier homecoming is going to be," said Russell.

Homecoming, for Sonya's family that can't come soon enough.

You can reach Fleet & Family Services by calling (757) 444-NAVY or clicking here.