wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I wanted to recommend an amazing resource for military families: it's the "Talk Listen Connect (TLC)" initiative by Sesame Workshop. http://www.sesameworkshop.org/initiatives/emotion/tlc
They have produced 3 videos available online: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes-- videos for kids and parents that deal with everything related to a parent being deployed. I think Elmo's dad goes to war. The website has tons of great resources for parents and kids.

To measure time with young children, be it Dad's return or driving time to a distant destination, I use body points.

The beginning is at foot level. Half way is at the waist, and home, of course, is the head.

That way, Dad's progress through his deployment can make some sense to a young child with no real sense of weeks, months, or years.

Tough situation indeed, there is no easy solution to this...Prayers and Thoughts go out to ALL enlisted, deployed and not.

I'm almost crying listening to the woman talking about her husband reading to her son via video. My husband spent several years working overseas for the UN, but we were much younger and had no children then. I can't imagine the difficulties of raising a child under these circumstances.

I know father's day is around the corner, but what about mothers in the service? Lets not forget that there are thousand of women in the military who have families here as well.

Hey, nice topic, and it's an important one to discuss. But I would say that what we always forget is that we have an awful lot of civilians - not necessarily government employees - who are deployed in war zones too-- UN, NGOs, universities, etc. While some of the conditions for civilians are better (more leave, better pay), some of the conditions are actually worse (no support system of other military spouses at home, no APO access). I think it's important to look at the military side, but lets not forget these other families as well... and they also take casualties and also are making a sacrifice for our country.

I think one of the very best tools for improving long distance parenting and lessening the impact is the webcam. To be able to cam with the family on a daily or weekly basis can really help participation on the part of all missing parties.

I have an extremely unpopular question. With the exception of people who plan a career in the armed services, why can’t family (children) be put on hold until one is a civilian again? Wouldn't that be more fair to the children?

i'm not sure i'd file anger at the Secretary of Defense under "irrational" anger...