Family Guidons - Ep. 7 Holding It Together at Home: Coping with Deployment Stress & Anxiety Part 2

In this episode of Family Guidons, we continue our conversation on coping with the stress and anxiety of a loved one's deployment. Joined by guest Lisa Mustard, we delve into the unique challenges military families face, particularly focusing on how to support children during these tough times. We discuss the different needs and emotional responses of kids, emphasizing that parents don’t need to be perfect in managing their own emotions or their children's. Tune in for practical advice and heartfelt insights on fostering security and stability at home while navigating the complexities of deployment. Join us for part two of our series on handling deployment stress and strengthening family bonds. 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - Supporting Kids Through Deployment 02:45 - Communicating with Kids of Different Ages 05:05 - Handling School and Social Media Exposure 07:50 - Creative Activities for Kids 13:55 - Support Resources for Kids 14:25 - Behavioral Health Specialists and Military OneSource 19:15 - School Support and Purple Star Districts 20:54 - Coaches and Extracurricular Activities 22:17 - Parent Community Support 23:44 - Supporting Parents of Deployed Service Members 25:28 - Managing Anxiety and Expectations 34:28 - Recognizing When to Seek Professional Support 37:02 - Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior 42:49 - Guided Meditation and Relaxation Tools 43:57 - Additional Resources for Kids and Teens 44:14 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement 45:43 - Teaser for Next Episode Links: Email: [email protected] Lisa Mustard: 803-409-9965, [email protected] South Carolina Army National Guard Behavioral Health Care Line - 866-345-8400 Military OneSource - www.militaryonesource.mil 24-HOUR NATIONAL CRISIS LIFELINE - Available for civilians and service members. 1-800-273-8255; Service Members press option #1. You may also TEXT 838255 to the Veterans Crisis Line or click https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/ to open up a chat conversation. Operation Purple: https://www.militaryfamily.org/state-of-the-military-family-programs/operation-purple/ Military spouse advocacy network: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/ Bloom Military Teen program: https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/ Blue Star Mothers of America: https://www.bluestarmothers.org/ Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g