6.Give a gift during the holidays. Those special days can be lonely. An Annapolis Mom shared: “One time someone drove to my house and gave me a plant on Mother's Day. Little kids don't know about Mother's Day, and it was just really thoughtful of someone to take time out of their special day for me.” 7. Provide post-deployment support. This could look like offering to babysit or sponsoring a date night for the reunited couple. One Annapolis Mom really appreciated a McCormick & Schmick gift card, noting that, “it felt like people were investing in [their] marriage and wanted [them] to succeed.” 8.Offer your company and emotional support. Something as simple as inviting him or her for a walk, over for dinner or to grab a coffee can be a moment of relief. Sometimes we just need a good meal or someone to talk to can make things easier. 9.Ask if they need something from the store. While you are running your errands during the week, check in to see if they need something. It can be a hassle to get the kids ready to go to the grocery store on a weekday when you realize you forgot one ingredient for your dinner recipe. Deployment is never easy, but the support of friends, family, and community makes a difference. While being a military family has its challenges, knowing we have people who genuinely care brings comfort. To anyone with a deployed loved one, you are not alone—we are in this together.
We asked Annapolis Moms in our Facebook group who have deployed partners how their friends could best support them before, during, and after deployment and this is what they said: 1. Offer to babysit. This can give the parent the chance to run errands or have time to themselves. When you ask, specify what day and time you are available to do it. 2.Offer to assist with outdoor chores. This includes rolling out or bringing in the trash cans, shoveling snow, raking leaves, mowing the lawn, or putting up the Christmas lights. 3.Offer to help do any “honey-do” tasks. Help change batteries in the smoke detectors, clean the gutters, mow/ weed/rake, paint, etc. Be direct by saying something like: “I’d like to come over this weekend to rake your leaves. What time works best for you?” 4.Offer to send a care package to their service member and ask what you should include. The user added, “I would have loved knowing that my husband was getting a package from someone else!” 5.Offer to bring their kid(s) too. If you are taking your kid(s) to a school function, sports event, or out for ice cream, one or two more won’t hurt. They will say yes and you will feel good!
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