This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way, a TRICARE breast pump provider. All opinions are entirely my own. Military families spend a lot of time apart. A lot. And that doesn't change when a pregnancy happens. After all, the needs of the military always-- and I mean always-- trump everything else. That can make it hard on expecting military parents, no matter if it's the first or fourth pregnancy. Whether there's deployment or TAD/TDY, a PCS, or the loneliness that comes from not being close to a support system, there are almost always military life obstacles to Keep Reading...
The (Exciting) Thing No One Tells You About Being a Military Spouse
This post is not sponsored. I'm just excited to bring you an opportunity through an ethical fashion company that is actively seeking military spouses as Sseko Fellows. I gave up my teaching career to marry my husband. When he got down on one knee in front of Penn State's Old Main, my job--my career-- was the furthest thing from my mind. The only thing that ran through my head was one word: "Yes." I didn't want to do life without him. So there was only one answer to his question: yes. The career fall-out of my decision didn't really hit me until I was sitting in our apartment, two Keep Reading...
6 (Seriously) Fun Summer Activities for Military Families on a Budget
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. When John and I were first married, we didn't have a lot of money for extras. Even now, we watch our spending, but back then, we watched every penny. You see, a month after we married, both of our old cars decided to fall apart... within a week of each other. We had to purchase a new car on one income, since I had left my stable teaching career in order to move to where John was stationed. It was a pretty precarious time for us financially. And maybe you've been there too. (I Keep Reading...
5 Ways to Stay Cool and Support the Military Community This Summer
I received a gift card in exchange for this blog post. As always, all opinions and work are mine. There’s nothing--nothing--like relaxing by the pool or in the air conditioning when it’s miserably hot and humid out. (Those of you who have been stationed in the south east know exactly what I’m talking about!) Even here in the mid-Atlantic, temperatures just aren’t… pretty. But that’s to be expected. It’s July. And summer is just starting to heat up. And so is this awesome opportunity from Macy’s. From June 28 to July 8, when you donate $3 to support America’s military community, Keep Reading...
What You’re Really Giving Up as a Military Spouse
Thanks to Bethaney from the Social Robot for her guest post today! When getting into a relationship with a military member, you may or may not have been giving a crash course of what's to come. Perhaps you were even given an earful from friends and family. I've heard of newbies attending classes and really immersing themselves in the culture... before they ever say "I do." And then there are those who say their nuptials and learn in the moment (or were already married when their member joined). Of course there's no right or wrong way to get married, but understanding a little on the Keep Reading...
How Military Spouse Entrepreneurs Can Win a $40K Franchise
This post is sponsored by EventPrep. All opinions and work are my own. The second month of my marriage I spent (mostly) frustrated with what my life and career had become. I was a teacher who left my school and career after five years to marry the love of my life. The only problem? My license didn't transfer to the new state that would become my home for 3 1/2 years. What's more, the costs of transferring my license were too much for our young marriage and desperately low bank account. With astronomic student loans, purchasing a car when both of our old clunkers died within days of each Keep Reading...
How to Help Pregnant Military Wives During Deployment
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 1 Natural Way, a TRICARE breast pump provider. All opinions are entirely my own. This year a good friend of mine found out that she was pregnant during the first few months of her husband's deployment. And I realized how little I knew about dealing with a deployment while pregnant. After all, John and I were engaged during his year-long deployment to Afghanistan and we didn't have kids, either. I felt a little lost. I wanted to be the best friend possible while still respecting her space and her privacy. She's a brilliant, Keep Reading...
Here’s How Milspouses Can Get $360 in Free Career Tools Every Time They PCS
If you're like the vast majority the military spouse community, you've dealt with at least a few frustrations when it comes to your career. I know I have. My story isn't much different than many other spouses'. When John and I married, I left my job as a high school English teacher, moved out of the state to John's installation, and realized that it didn't make any sense to get licensed again... we'd be moving soon and the costs associated with a new teaching license would not justify the enormous probability that I would not find a job before we had to move again. So I started freelancing Keep Reading...
6 Ways to Create Magic During a Deployment
This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com. I didn't grow up in a military family. In fact, I knew very little about the military until I started dating John. (And then, oh boy, did I learn A LOT in a little bit of time.) But I did grow up in a family that prepared me to live military life. I grew up with parents who taught me important skills and mindsets like resiliency, empathy, and organization. But they also taught me one other thing about life that really made my military journey a lot easier. They taught me about creating (and finding) magic in the ordinary. It didn't cost a lot Keep Reading...
6 Ways You Can Brighten a Military Spouse’s Day
Military life can often be lonely. Frequent moves that take you states--or countries--away from your family and friends... deployments... trainings... a scary news cycle that never seems to turn off... And not only can it be lonely, sometimes people decide to voluntarily detach themselves from people and places. It makes saying goodbye and being far from home less painful. But it doesn't make the loneliness any better. Fortunately, for your military spouse friend, you are awesome (because you're reading this post, and clearly you want to help your military spouse--or significant Keep Reading...
