by Meg FlanaganFor the first two or so years of my military marriage, my husband and I were not in the same state. For a significant portion, we weren't even on the same continent. Thanks, deployment!However, we still needed to handle things on the homefront and in our relationship. But how do you do that when you're only communicating via email?Decide what's important I actually kept all the emails from that really long deployment. Looking back, even just a year or so later, is interesting. I sent some doozies! Like when I needed to know where he put the car insurance. It Keep Reading...
4 Ways to Teach Kids About Service and Sacrifice
This post is sponsored by Wounded Warrior Project. All work and opinions are my own.When I was a high school teacher, I learned two very important things:Kids are absolutely able to have hard discussions (and want to!). Adults often underestimate kids' capacities to talk about the tough stuff (often because we don't want to broach the subject).Great things-- great, teachable moments-- happen at the edge of comfort zones. And talking about service and sacrifice can be one of those tough conversations because it is so counter-cultural. Putting someone else above oneself or Keep Reading...
Steal These 4 Ideas to Send to Grandparents
by Meg FlanaganTruth time: it's very rare that military kids are ever going to be stationed near their grandparents' hometowns. Like, unless your parents happen to live near a major hub for your branch of service, it's probably not going to happen. Ever.In the 12 or so years I've done military life, the closest we've ever gotten to "home" is about 10-12 hours away when we drive. That's going from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England. The farthest? Oh, just Japan.In the six years that we've added kids to the mix, we've had to come up with cute and creative ways to show love Keep Reading...
What I Wish I Had During My Husband’s Deployment
When John was deployed to Afghanistan, I had NO clue what I was doing. No one had ever prepared me for what it was like to be engaged to someone who now lived in a war zone for the next year. Normally, a year of engagement would have been filled with excitement. But I was just as confused and worried as I was excited.For the majority of John's deployment, I was kind of a basket case.I'd like to believe that I was strong, and silent, and totally unflappable.But that's not reality. I knew next to nothing about the military. I lived four hours away from his base. I did Keep Reading...
Here’s How to Advocate for Your EFMP Kids Right Now
by Meg FlanaganOkay, so, nothing looks like it did last fall or even in February 2020. Nothing.There have been strides made, especially when it comes to EFMP and special education for military kids, but also the pandemic. Really, we're all flying by the seat of our pants here and no one really knows what to do.Yes, you read that right. No one knows what to do.Teachers, school principals, medical professionals, EFMP case workers. We're all just trying to make this as "okay" as possible in the ways that we can.Also, there's not a whole lot of direction coming our way, Keep Reading...
5 Unexpected Care Package Gifts to Surprise Your Recipient
This post includes products from AU-Rate through Nakturnal, Green Beans, and Honey for Healing. All work is my own.If you've got a long-term deployment or a kiddo that you're sending lots of care packages to over a long period of time, it can feel like you've run out of ideas for what to actually put into said care packages. Here's the truth: often, it's not the stuff that goes into a care package that is what's special, it's the thought behind it.But it's also really fun to send treats that are fun and completely surprising, too. If you're tuckered out from the long haul or if Keep Reading...
Here’s Why We’re Sending Postcards to People We Love
by Meg FlanaganSince mid-March, our mailbox has never been busier. Sometimes, I wonder if my family is single-handedly keeping the USPS running. It seems like every other day we're sending mail to Massachusetts. Plus, we're getting mail on the daily as well.What's the reason behind all that postage? Postcards.We're sending postcards, letters, drawing and plain old cards to friends and family regularly. It's part of our Plan for Increased Connections, spurred by the pandemic.Really, it's simple, Let's breakdown why postcards are our love language right now.They're Keep Reading...
If You’re a Milspouse Entrepreneur, This Program Is Free
This is NOT a sponsored post.Let's be honest: the military spouse community (and the rest of the online community at large) is awash in "experts" and "resources" when it comes to owning your own business. There are tons of organizations and people who specifically focus on the challenges and experience of owning your own business as a military spouse. While some of those experts and resources are great and definitely worthy of your time, there are many that give me pause for many different reasons.Especially when you're starting out, you want to be particularly careful who and what you Keep Reading...
My 4 Secrets to My Strong Military Marriage (It’s Not What You Think!)
by Meg FlanaganWhen you think about a strong marriage, in or out of the military community, what does it look like?Take a moment and sit with that image.Mostly, when we talk about strength in terms of passion, commitment and trust. And while those are all awesome factors leading to a strong marriage, they're not my secrets. I recently asked my husband: "What do you think makes our marriage strong?"His answer actually surprised me because it's not one I hear often or at least it's not said out loud:Adaptability Communication Independence Limits1. Adapt and Keep Reading...
How to DIY Family FaceTime Rituals That Build Memories
by Meg FlanaganEvery morning, over oatmeal or yogurt, my family hears the dulcet tones of FaceTime ringing. It's 8:00 and time for our daily video conference with my parents, one of the new rituals that self-isolation had created in my family.Video calls aren't anything new for military families. We are used to creating and sustaining relationships over distance and time zones. This is the first time that I've needed to use that skill when located in such close proximity to our families.Largely, it's been a crazy success. My kids have an incredibly close relationship with their Keep Reading...
