When service members deploy to world trouble spots, it's tough on the spouses and children they leave behind. Toddlers don't understand why Mom or Dad has left, but only that they're gone.
Frequent separations are equally hard on spouses.
Not only are they left to deal with the home front, they also fear for their loved ones' safety since media coverage often features each deployment's dangerous realities. As a result of the increasing level of military operations, defense officials want to better prepare service members and spouses for their intermittent role as single parents. Officials here say the unique challenges associated with separations may not be adequately addressed in parenting training offered at base family centers, chaplain and family advocacy programs and medical clinics. The Air Force is the executive agent for the project. The goal is to develop informational material that can be distributed in classrooms and via the Internet, telephone, flyers, audiotapes or other means.