Raising Children in the Military [Hardcover]

There is no doubt that a career in the military poses many challenges for families, especially those with young children. In this stellar offering, clinical therapist Lawhorne-Scott, marine corps lieutenant colonel Jeff Scott, and writer Don Philpott give readers a helpful guide to navigating the many demands military families face, such as frequent moves, the loss of friends, deployment, and even the risk of death. The text not only offers a supportive manual to psychological concerns ('what to expect from your children during postdeployment'), but covers such secondary issues as the underemployment of military spouses and dealing with schooling disruptions. Lastly, the book serves as a directory to military services within the context of government benefits (DEERS enrollment, TRICARE health care, and Family Separation Allowances). VERDICT This book should be available to all families who make ongoing sacrifices for our country. Unequivocally recommended.Forty percent of military personnel are parentseight percent are single parentsconfronting challenges far beyond those typically faced in child rearing. Children in military families must cope with multiple deployments, reintegration, and the threat of combat injuries and death. They may face frequent moves and the accompanying loss of friends and interruptions in schooling. Military life can also present challenges in housing, child care, and unemployment and underemployment of military spouses. The authors present solid information on child services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other resources, including information on helping children with disabilities and special needs as well as overseas schools and homeschooling. They cover myriad family issues, from taxes and finances to adequate insurance coverage, from counseling for addiction and domestic violence to the secrets of maintaining strong and healthy family relationships. This is a helpful guide aimed at the special challenges of militarl³.