And most of them have great expectations of what it will be like when they come home. Many soldiers experience that reality does not live up to their expectations, and that their homecoming actually becomes a difficult period. Some soldiers and their partners or families in fact find the first few weeks, occasionally even months, after the soldier's return from a long deployment just as stressful as the separation, with insecurity and sadness. In general terms, the best strategy is preparation. This simply cannot be overemphasised.
Preparation means anticipating the challenges.
It is also important to understand why a homecoming can be difficult and what kinds of feelings it can raise. Thousands of families have reinforced the validity of her model. You may find some reassurance and hope in this model, realising that your responses to this experience have been and continue to be shared by many others. When you return home, it may take time to readjust to the family and or them to readjust to you. The difficult period will pass.