Blog from the founder of the charity Little Troopers. Military wife and mum sharing thoughts and feelings of being a British Armed Forces family.

Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting all children with parents serving in the British Armed Forces, regular or reserve. We provide fundamental resources, initiatives and events to ease and aid repeated separation periods aiming to keep parent and child connected and bonded even when miles apart

26 Feb 2016

It isn't their fault is it....

My first blogpost of 2016!

Its been a slow, gloomy start to 2016 and as a family my husband has entered a year of high readiness which means lots of time away *groans*

So my question is what do we prefer....a long period away or lots of recurrent weeks/months here and there repeatedly?!

I just can't decide what is easier for me and my Little Trooper to deal with.
I currently feel like I don't know if I am coming or going, I don't want to make plans and then him come home and we'll be away and busy but I don't want to not make plans in the hope he makes it back for a day or so to then be sat at home with nothing to occupy us!
There seems no balance sometimes and we become ships that pass in the night and our Little Trooper forgets to ask if daddy is coming home soon, the norm becomes that he's not at home, this makes me really sad sometimes.

However the daffodils everywhere and the crisp sunny days we have been having have meant more positive days. There is no point in directing my anger at my soldier when he calls to say sorry I am going away for another two weeks next week, it isn't his fault is it, military personnel are paid 24/7 and that's what we signed up for, I know this I signed that dotted line myself. I hear his voice when he tells me knowing the reaction won't be good and he takes the rant on the phone before apology texts follow.

We are a team, we are in this together and that is the nature of our lives isn't it...uncertainty, repeated and sometimes concurrent separation, unsettled times....doesn't make it an easier pill to swallow though

So I am welcoming Spring with open arms, lighter and warmer days for all to enjoy.

There is lots coming up for Little Troopers in the coming moths too so if you have someone serving away from home get booked up and come and  join me and lots of others;

5/6 March - RAF Brize Norton Events
2nd April - Snowdon Family Challenge
16th April - Chelsea FC Trg Ground Event
18/19 June - Summer Camp

Look forward to seeing lots of you soon, Louise xxx