How to Deal With Your Loved One's Deployment

Allow Imperfection into Your Life

The best advice I ever got was from a seasoned Army wife who had just welcomed her husband back from a one-year deployment. She told me, “Unrealistic expectations will sabotage you—life doesn’t have to be perfect. Pancakes and ice cream for dinner is not a bad thing.” No one is watching, and if they were, they would certainly understand why the household wasn’t in order during a long deployment. In our case, not only did pancakes and ice cream make several appearances, but there were plenty of days beds weren’t made and nights dishes weren’t done. Letting go of a few of the “rules” will also leave you more time to spend with children at home who may be extra-needy following a parent’s deployment.