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Abstract
The deployment of a military parent is undoubtedly a difficult time for children. This is especially true if the military child is being cared for by a relative, or kinship parent such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or older sibling. The child may have to experience a kind of personal deployment from their own home. To help children cope with these changes, it is important for the kinship parent to effectively communicate with the child about the deployment and the deployed parent. This will safeguard against emotional and behavioral problems and can lead to improvements in the child’s overall sense of well-being. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Elizabeth Thomas and Larry F. Forthun and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2013.
References
Graham, B. 2007. U.S. Army deployment support handbook: Children and youth. Ithaca, NY: Wells Communication. Retrieved June 1, 2012 from: http://www.myarmyonesource.com/cmsresources/Army%20OneSource/Media/PDFs/Family%20Programs%20and%20Services/Family%20Programs/Deployment%20Readiness/Operation%20READY/DEPLOY_SPPT_HBOOK_CHILD_YOUTH.pdf
Levin, D.E., C. I. Daynard, and B. A. Dexter. 2008. The "SOFAR" guide for helping children and youth cope with the deployment and return of a parent in the national guard and other reserve components. Retrieved June 1, 2012 from: http://www.sofarusa.org/downloads/sofar_children_pamphlet.pdf
Perkins, D.F., and K. Fogarty. 2005. Active listening: A communication tool. Gainesville, FL: Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication number: FCS2151. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he361
U.S. Department of Defense. (n.d.). Parent's guide to the military child during deployment and reunion. Retrieved June 1, 2012 from: http://www.aap.org/sections/uniformedservices/deployment/pdfs/parent_guide_deployment.pdf
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