Deployments and Bedtime
Whether a deploying parent is involved in child’s nightly bedtime routine or not, deployments can affect your child’s sleep. For some families, this might mean your kids get to sneak into your bed more than usual, or you find yourself giving into a zillion bedtime extra snack, extra drink, extra potty break demands because you feel bad.
Deployments can be very tough on little kids who have huge emotions!
Here are some ways to navigate “big trips” as we call them, and bedtime.
Be Consistent- Children crave consistency within their normal routine. With huge changes such as work trips or deployments, they will actually need that predictability even more so. When the big day comes, spend the following few days doing what you can to survive, but after 4-5 days try and jump back into your normal routine.
Record- This can be a game-changer! Before your service member leaves, have them sit down a record themselves reading your child’s favorite books. This can help SO much with easing your child into this transition.
TALK- I really believe in giving your child the respect of talking to them about what is going on. While I’m not suggesting you burden your child with adult issues or concepts, talk about the upcoming trip during daytime hours, to prepare your child. Talk about fun ways to decorate care packages! Keep these talks brief, to avoid overwhelming your child.
Explain-Chances are your child has experienced “work trips” apart from their service member, therefore trips are familiar. The word deployment can sound new, unfamiliar and daunting! Stick to what they know, explain that deployment is like a trip but longer.
Use Resources to incorporate into our bedtime routine, such as;
United Through Reading- “Check our Current Program Location list to see if your command has a United Through Reading site. If your command already has United Through Reading, you can sign up to make a recording. With the assistance of your command’s UTR volunteer, you can choose from a selection of books of varying topics and age ranges. The volunteer will then assist you in making your private recording. Once you have finished your recording, the volunteer will give you the video, and (at most recording locations) the book, which you can then mail to your young loved one.”
If your command does not have United Through Reading, please contact us at military@utr.org. They will work with your command leadership to establish a program.Daddy Dolls- Daddy Dolls can be a huge comfort for kids, anytime their service member is gone. Use code SLEEP15 for 15% off of a Daddy Dolls!
If you’re reading this and do not have a service member deploying but you’re interested in easing the process for a military child, consider sponsoring a child by providing them with a Daddy Doll.
Build-a-Bear- Head to Build-a-Bear before your service member leaves and create one with an audio recording of them saying something sweet.
In addition to United Through Reading, have your service member record special memos or videos before hand!
Have a Countdown Kiss Jar- Fill up a jar with Hershey kisses, roughly the amount of weeks that your service member will be gone. Eat one kiss on a specific day of the week! This is a fun visual aide for kids! If Hershey’s kisses aren’t your thing, choose something small and similar.
Most importantly, give yourself and your child grace- there is fool proof manual when it comes to tackling a deployment and how it will affect each child and family. Remember, it is temporary and you will find your groove before you know it!
7. Create a “Sleep Rules” Chart- Sit down and talk to your kids about all the things they can do when they’ve had a good nights sleep; they can jump really high, run extra fast, grow bigger and stronger. Parents also have more energy to do fun things. While you have your kids attention, take out a piece of paper and create a sleep rules chart! Encourage them to decorate it, color it, use stickers- whatever they choose! Hang it up in their room and talk about it. It doesn't need to be fancy, and don't forget, your kid doesn't care if you can't draw well!
Fellow military mama, if you’re reading this, I’m sending you a virtual hug. YOU’VE GOT THIS!
Use code MIL15 for 15% off any service or program!
