military Archives - Jo, My Gosh!, LLC

August 3

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...

July 23

Politically Active? You’re Not Alone, Milspouse

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by Kate Marsh LordDoes it feel like everything and everyone is suddenly political? That our once politics-free bubble of the military has been pierced so strongly that is it now wide open and laid bare for everyone to see? Heck, even the names of some military bases are at the center of a politically-charged conversation.Would you believe me if I told you this isn’t a bad thing? That, in fact, it’s actually quite good for our community, the military and our country.The concerns and doubts can be deafening - Am I allowed to do this? Did I say the right thing? - but many folks have Keep Reading...

July 23

6 Creative Ways to Make the Start of This Strange School Year Special

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by Meg FlanaganSchool is starting soon--maybe--across the US. Even if school buildings open up for in-person teaching, this will be an academic year like no other. It's going to be strange, for sure.The good news?You can still make the start of this strange school year special with creative ideas and new twists on familiar routines. Here's how.1. Create a New At-Home Learning Station Let's face it, virtual school is something that's not going away anytime soon. We were all caught off-guard in March and April during the rapid change to at-home learning. As you prep to move at Keep Reading...

July 13

4 Creative Ideas to Stay Connected Despite the Distance

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by Meg FlanaganLet's be real: we're all finding new ways to connect with the people we love. Thanks, pandemic! But military families have been rocking creative ways to stay connected despite the distance since, well, forever.Whether we were waiting patiently at home during the days before regular, reliable mail service, sending letters that wouldn't be delivered for weeks or video-chatting, military families are professionals at long-distance relationships.And I'm not just talking about romantic connections. Keeping all sorts of relationships fresh and thriving is Keep Reading...

July 7

Here’s How to Send Free Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee to Someone Who’s Deployed

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Over the past years, I've been lucky to have some corporate help when sending care package supplies. You can read my story about how Panera was amazing! John received a huge box of tuna while he was in Afghanistan, too. When I was sending to a friend abroad, Chick-Fil-A gave me a bag full of sauce to send, free of charge.I know that some people go whole-hog when it comes to care packages and soliciting free items to send to their loved ones and their units. And that is amazing-- way to go! Others aren't sure how to get started or are a little intimidated, to be honest. (And I get that! It Keep Reading...

July 6

The Money Talk: Military Couples, Finances, and Figuring It All Out

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union. All opinions are 100% mine.I wasn't going to marry John if he had credit card debt.That's the truth. I told him that I'd wait for him as long as he needed to pay it off. The credit card debt was manageable; getting rid of it was a tangible way we could start our relationship with one less expense. But we weren't going to get married until it was gone.Now, I can definitely feel some people rolling their eyes reading that. And maybe there are some choice words being said about something that sounds so Keep Reading...

July 1

5 Ways to Help MilKids Build Strong Relationships with Family and Friends from “Home”

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by Meg FlanaganRight now, my kids are upstairs laughing with their grandmother. No, we're not together. It's just their normal morning FaceTime chat.I'm so incredibly lucky that my kids have these strong bonds with family and friends, no matter where everyone currently lives. Partly, it's just because of who they are as people. But also, it's because my spouse and I have done a few things to help our military kids build strong bonds.1. Make your intentions clear Part of being a military family raising military kids is that creating strong bonds to "home" doesn't just Keep Reading...

June 17

5 Creative Ways to Make the Most of an Unusual Summer

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by Meg FlanaganI was in tears as I deleted my AirBnB list for New Hampshire this summer. Tears. Every summer since I can remember, my family has spent a week or so in the White Mountains. The only times we skipped this was during high school and when I have not been on the East Coast thanks to military life. In high school, apparently my sister and I were “too cool” for a week of hiking with our parents. Back to school shopping in Montreal was much better - and I won’t argue with that logic. Being finally back in the US after three years OCONUS, I was looking forward to a few weeks Keep Reading...

June 8

6 Things You Can Do to Prep for Your Pandemic PCS

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by Meg FlanaganWe’re headed into a PCS season like no other ever before. Seriously, we’re about to move in the middle of an actual pandemic. So, that’s cool.On top of all the normal PCS things we do for a move, we’re also all on high alert for germs. Getting set for this year’s move is going to be a whole new level of extra.1. Pre-pack as much as you can Every time we move and I start to stuff my SpaceSaver bags, my husband gives me some serious side-eye. And then, without fail, when we unpack he’s praising my forethought to high heaven.Right now, start by washing and drying Keep Reading...

June 1

How to Grow Your Military Family’s Capacity for Empathy

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by Meg FlanaganBefore March, so many of us were rushing around, blinders on, just trying to do all the things all day long. Then the whole world hit pause, hunkering down during the pandemic. Suddenly, we’re all moving forward in slow motion. Right now is the perfect time to build empathy skills! As we cautiously reopen America, take the time to help your military family see the needs of others.The breakdown in our society has helped to shine a light on previously hidden groups of people. We’ve suddenly realized just how vital delivery people and grocery store workers are to daily Keep Reading...

May 29

How Can I Safely Send Food in the Mail?

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Is there anything more lovely than eating food that has been made by someone who loves you, for you? And food can transport us to different times in our lives, with people we love and care about; it can remind us of stories and fond memories; it can make us feel like we're home, even when we're not.I'm often asked by Jo, My Gosh! readers about how to send food in care packages. If you've never done it, it can be a little intimidating. After all, food, improperly handled, can make someone sick. And it can have financial implications too-- you don't want to spend a ton of money on a care Keep Reading...

May 19

Run these 3 Free Military 5Ks This Summer

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Secret: I've always wanted to be a runner. But honestly, I've never really figured out what worked for me.I've walked 5 half-marathons and a bunch of 5Ks, and I love the camaraderie of doing something with other people, having a goal, and checking it off the list. But I've never actually run a race.Until the pandemic.I've started training using the Peloton app, and I've gotta say, I'm actually getting the hang of it and I'm excited to actually run longer distances now. I don't know if I'll ever be a long-distance runner, but the fact that I am actually running and liking it has me Keep Reading...

May 18

5 Ways Anyone Can Celebrate Military Appreciation Month

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union. All opinions are 100% mine.I'll be honest: before I married into the military, I had no idea what Military Appreciation Month was. I didn't even know there was a Military Appreciation Month. I'd never heard of Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I'd vaguely heard of Armed Forces Day. But had you asked me what military observances were in May, I would have only said Memorial Day. The truth is, May is jam-packed with observances: Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Children of Fallen Patriots Day, Armed Forces Keep Reading...

May 15

Can You Send Hand Sanitizer in a Care Package?

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I don't think I've thought about hand sanitizer ever in my life as much as I have in the last two months. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer is all that's on everyone's minds. (Okay, okay. People are also thinking about paper towels and toilet paper.)For military families with deployed loved ones, another wrinkle to the pandemic chaos is an unsettling worry. Do their deployed loved ones have the supplies they need to stay safe?While I wish I could answer that question, I can't. What individual deployed groups have and don't have is subject to constant change, making it Keep Reading...

May 14

11 Tips to Handle Surprise Deployment Extensions Like a Pro

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by Meg FlanaganOh, man! That countdown was getting so, so, so close to zero. And then you're hit with an unexpected deployment extension.Like you weren’t just barely hanging on to your sanity already. No, you’re getting the military spouse gauntlet: surviving an extra undetermined amount of time before homecoming is even tentatively scheduled.Cool. Everything’s fine. Except we all know it’s NOT fine. Not even a little bit or at all. This sucks, plain and simple.But there really isn’t a way around or over this. You can only go through it. Buckle up for a wild ride, one which Keep Reading...

May 12

How to Make Video Chats (Actually!) Fun

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This is an unsponsored guest post.Hi, my name is Alex and I am one of the founders of pop.in.What is pop.in, you may ask? Pop.in is an app that brings friends, family, and loved ones together, from as near as down the street or as far away as around the globe, to play "game night" style games (more on that below) while on group video. When we built pop.in, our goal was to create a community that allows people who are separated by time and distance, like those in the military and their loved ones, to connect in unique and engaging ways.The need for connection has become even more Keep Reading...

May 11

Here’s How to Give Your MilKids Closure This School Year

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by Meg FlanaganWhen I walked out of my school on March 12, I had zero inklings that it would be my last day teaching for the school year. My teaching table is still covered with lessons for the week on March 16. Everything is neatly organized by group and topic, collated and stapled. Ready to go.And that’s where they’ll be when I walk back into my classroom, whenever that might be.I’m feeling at loose ends with how this school year “ended.” And if I’m feeling this way as a grown-up, I can imagine that the kids are feeling just as weird right now.Nothing will be the “same” as Keep Reading...

May 6

6 On-Point Gifts for Military Spouses

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This post is sponsored by Nakturnal. All opinions and work are my own.There's something wonderful about surprising a friend with a gift. Whether it's for Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Mother's Day, or "just because," a little happy mail lets someone know you're thinking of them and brightens their day. (And you all know how I feel about the power of the mail!)I've collected a few of my favorite gift ideas for military spouses. They're all owned by women (yay!) and most are military spouse or veteran-owned. (Double yay!)Take a look and let me know in the comments-- What Keep Reading...

May 4

Here’s How to Deal with Long or Extended Deployments

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by Meg FlanaganI’ve been around the military since way back 2008, right when the big Afghanistan troop surge was getting ready to kick off. Right when a lot of units and individual troops were staring down 9-16 month deployments on a regular basis. Long deployments suck. Really and truly they are awful.But you can deal with long deployments by doing a few crucial things in your prep and execution.Whether you were expecting this one to be longer than normal or it was a “fun surprise” that was just recently announced, it’s time to get into survival mode. Once you’ve got these key Keep Reading...

April 24

22 Easy Ways to Keep Military Kids Occupied During Lockdown

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by Meg FlanaganIt’s been 84 years since we first entered self-isolation. Or at least that’s how it feels.Already, my kids have burned through all the things I panic-purchased just prior this whole isolation thing kicked off. In my naivete, I thought that, surely, to young kids can’t possibly finish through 17 workbooks, several dozen crafts, and all the coloring pages that Michaels had to offer.How wrong I was.Which brings us to here, today, when I’m attempting to keep my own sanity while successfully keeping my children entertained. Oh, and also working while homeschooling. Keep Reading...

How to DIY Family FaceTime Rituals That Build Memories

Politically Active? You’re Not Alone, Milspouse

6 Creative Ways to Make the Start of This Strange School Year Special

4 Creative Ideas to Stay Connected Despite the Distance

Here’s How to Send Free Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee to Someone Who’s Deployed

The Money Talk: Military Couples, Finances, and Figuring It All Out

5 Ways to Help MilKids Build Strong Relationships with Family and Friends from “Home”

5 Creative Ways to Make the Most of an Unusual Summer

6 Things You Can Do to Prep for Your Pandemic PCS

How to Grow Your Military Family’s Capacity for Empathy

How Can I Safely Send Food in the Mail?

Run these 3 Free Military 5Ks This Summer

5 Ways Anyone Can Celebrate Military Appreciation Month

Can You Send Hand Sanitizer in a Care Package?

11 Tips to Handle Surprise Deployment Extensions Like a Pro

How to Make Video Chats (Actually!) Fun

Here’s How to Give Your MilKids Closure This School Year

6 On-Point Gifts for Military Spouses

Here’s How to Deal with Long or Extended Deployments

22 Easy Ways to Keep Military Kids Occupied During Lockdown

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