Parenting: Military style

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Greene
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Parenting is challenging. It can take patience, band aids, perseverance and stain remover. Now add military life and it can become a different playing field. 

"Parenting is not a spectator sport," said Tech. Sergeants, Mike and Jennifer Sherman, both of the 21st Medical Group. "It's survival of the fittest and no two children are alike." 

"I think children growing up with military parents have an advantage over their civilian counterparts," said Julie Jolly, 509th Force Support Squadron. "They grow up in a diversified environment and learn how to be flexible, make friends and be open-minded about other cultures and lifestyles." 

Families are an integral part of Team Whiteman and they come in various shapes and sizes. Single parents, grandparents lending a hand and dual military households are all common in today's military. 

"Being a single parent, your day starts early," said Airman 1st Class Amanda McLeskey, 509th Medical Group. "As a military parent there are times when you work long shifts and at any moment you may be asked to deploy, knowing you will have to be separated from your child for a long time." 

"The most challenging part of being a military parent, you are committed to two jobs 24-7, 365 days a year," said Tech. Sergeant Jason Close, 509th Munitions squadron. 

Military families are faced with obstacles such as a parent or parents going to war. A typical American family only lives this through magazines or the news. The Sherman family found themselves explaining the purpose of a gas mask to their 7-year-old who saw it while they were putting together a mobility bag. Moving during the school year and finding quality daycare are hurdles as well. 

"A civilian family may move once or twice in a 25 year period, whereas military families relocate every three to four years," Sergeant Close said. "Having to constantly choose daycare providers or people you can trust in general to be around your kids is hard." 

"Honesty and talking to your children about the move is crucial. We talk to them to see what they most worry about. Both kids fear the same thing; making new friends," said Sergeant Sherman. 

Family traditions echo throughout families everywhere. Keeping them as one constant in military children's lives is crucial. 

"I love singing songs and reading books to my grandchildren. Most of our traditions revolve around holidays," said Mrs. Jolly. 

"For dinner my son helps me cook most meals," said A1C McLeskey. 

For all the challenges military families face there are perks. New schools, adventures, friends and memories that last a life time to name just a few. 

According to the Sherman's, only military children know to stop goofing off during the National Anthem and actually understand why it's important. Or truly know the meaning of heartache when waving good-bye to their parents as they leave for war. Military children are in an elite class of their own; incomparable to most. They are, hands down, the unsung heroes of our military family.