Bridging the Gap with the Deployed Parent
Activities - For Long Distance Relationships (Mom, Dad, Grandparents)
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Cards - KidsLink Downrange
KidsLink Downrange is a project where MOPS groups all around the USA help military kids connect to their deployed parents by creating Card Kits the kids can use to keep in touch with their mom or dad.
Cards - Pre-printed Interactive by Create My Gift (Troops in Touch)
The child receives each card from deployed parent (like a little gift) to color, connect the dots or maze. Then the child completes the "art", puts it in an envelope and sends it back to the parent, furthering communication by sharing the accomplishment --one card at a time.
Troops In Touch cards are 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches, ready to address and with space for the deployed parent to write a short note. Packaged in resealable plastic bags in sets of 10, they include an assortment of general designs as well as those for holidays & celebrations. You choose boy or girl sets. New sets are available throughout the year with changing seasons, holidays and general subjects.
Countdown calendar - Her War, Her Voice
I have found this calendar a great way for my young children to count down the return of their Papa. It can be done in many creative ways. This is a picture of the most basic...
Create your own book - A Heart Apart (by Melissa Seligman, Christina Piper)
website (ages 4-8)
Too often, the focus is on the uniform. On the one serving. But what of the countless children who have served silently, over and over again, through sustained deployments? Where are their news stories and accounts of bravery? What about medals for their sacrifice? Their time spent, waiting?
Our book is different in that it encourages children to create and share their own unique stories, upload their own photos then share it with their deployed parent overseas.
Each deployment is different. And each military child is special. Taking the time to celebrate each child’s uniqueness is essential in helping our war children on the road to healing and recovery. Each picture uploaded is a window into their hearts, and if a picture is worth a thousand words, these children have volumes to tell.
These children serve bravely and repeatedly. They deserve the opportunity to share their story, honor their struggle, and salute their victory. Every hero should be celebrated. And we have written A Heart Apart to celebrate and honor the very warriors we admire most: our own children. Free copy for service member with each purchase. Also available - free downloadable activity sheets to complement the book.
Create your own book - Over There Activity Book (Daddy version, Mommy version)
Here is an opportunity to create your own Over There children's book! Download the PDF (either the mommy version or the daddy version, depending on which parent is deployed), print it out, and attach photos that represent the spirit of the text. If you and your child are feeling extra creative, you can even draw your own illustrations. Do whatever feels right to capture your family's unique deployment story. After completing the book, keep it on hand and read it to your child as often as each of you would like.
Dog tags, military coins, teddy bears, etc.
This is a grassroots effort to show our support for the troops and their families. We tried to
think of something we could send Dad or Mom that they could easily send back to their kids. This is something easy to ship and something the kids can hang on to until Dad or Mom gets back home.
Military brat dog tags and military brat coins available in each branch of service. Crest of the military wife is also available for purchase.
Sells plush uniformed teddy bears, army brat dog tags, "My Dad Fights for our Freedom" coin.
Sells We Serve Too! (Be Strong and Courageous!) dog tags and We Serve Too! (We just make the best of it) dog tags.
E-cards for Mother's Day, Father's Day
Send your deployed Mom or Dad an e-card for Mother's Day or Father's Day. Link also includes other themed e-cards.
Fabric Family
Fabric Family was developed during the wildly successful Flat Daddies phenomena. Fabric Families were created as a way for children and loved ones to give deployed service members a unique, inexpensive, and versatile life-size family photo. A big familiar image, which they can keep with them at all times and hang wherever they are, to make their space feel closer to home.
Flat Brat
The concept of Flat Brat was developed as a joint effort by Benita Koeman and Beth Allen. Beth is a military supporter and the creator of Troops In Touch interactive postcards (www.troopsintouch.com). Benita is a military wife, founder of Operation We Are Here, (www.OperationWeAreHere.com), and creator of Brat Town Bugle: A Publication of Non-Recruits in Big Boots.
With the familiarity of the Flat Stanley project, they wanted to develop something similar that would be more specific to military kids, something that would help bridge the gap between the deployed parent and military child. Hence the arrival of Flat Brat!
Flat Daddies, Flat Mommies
Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies are life-sized printed posters (waist and up) of parents who are actively serving overseas in the military. Flat Daddies were created as a way to help younger children and families stay connected to their loved ones serving extended periods of time away from home. To make your own Flat Daddy or Flat Mommy, visit www.imalreadyhome.com.
Hero Helpers - Lifesize Cardboard Cutout of your Military Service Member
LifeSizeCustomCutouts.com have launched a special program for military families with a loved one currently deployed on active duty. As a special way to thank our armed forces, we would like to announce the arrival of Hero Helpers.
Hero Helpers are life size cardboard cutouts made from any picture you send in. We know how hard it is having a loved one be away for prolonged periods of time, and wanted a way to show our appreciation for their sacrifice.
Hero Packs - Operation: Military Kids
Hero Packs are OMK knapsacks filled with a variety of items from the OMK Partner Agencies, which are given to military youth as a "Thank You" for the sacrifices that they make while their parents are deployed. OMK has presented Hero Packs to over 47,000 Military Youth since 2004.
There are two versions of Hero Packs: Young Hero Packs for youth ages 3 - 8 years and Hero Packs for 9 - 18 years of age. Both Hero Packs contain a variety of items intended to provide children with fun activities and ways to stay connected to their deployed parents. In addition, Parent Pouches provide information to parents regarding local support programs for children and families.
Homecoming Box - We Serve Too
The Homecoming Box concept was developed by Kathleen Edick and Paula Johnson (authors of We Serve Too! and We Serve Too! 2child deployment and reunion books). It has three purposes:
- The deployed parent knows you are collecting memories on their behalf
- The spouse and children have an ongoing project that causes them to think about their loved one in every situation
- Another benefit is that when a child wants the deployed parent there, and is not consoled by words, the search for the best possible symbol for the box allows the child to actively do something to preserve the memory.
The website has downloadable instructions to create your own Homecoming Box. Also has accompanying instructions to create your own Tear Bottle.
Internet - Real Time Activities with Deployed Parent
MyChildMyMilitary.com allows you to read interactive books, play games and do activities with your child in real time from anywhere in the world. The site allows users to see and hear one another while they read books, play games and do art activities together -- all in real time. Free for military families.
Internet - Sesame Street Family Connections
The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) in collaboration with Sesame Street Workshop recently unveiled the "Sesame Street Family Connections" website. This interactive website -- similar to the social networking site Facebook -- allows Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families to stay connected in a safe and nurturing environment surrounded by their favorite Sesame Street friends.
It's a private place where only the family and friends you invite can post messages, create and share artwork, upload photos and record videos.
Iron on transfer - My Daddy is in the Army
My Daddy is in the Army free iron on transfer for children’s shirts. Make your own shirts using this free printable iron-on transfer.
Journaling - Deployment Kids
This website has journaling ideas to get kids started in journaling about their parent's deployment.
Kissing Pillows (I Love You) - USA
These hand-stitched little pillows are designed to be used as a keepsake for the children and loved ones left behind by the Soldiers departing for service of the United States of America. The Soldier should kiss the pillow and give one to each of his or her loved ones to hold onto until he or she returns form war. The pillows also can be given to those who are being deployed and know that they are filled with hugs and kisses from their loved ones and from those of us who care and made them for each Soldier. We hope the pillows will be a comfort during the lonely times for both the Soldier and the families. The Evergreen Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America.Inc. has lovingly stitched numerous of these pillows with gratitude for your service to our country.
Newspaper - Brat Town Bugle: A Publication of Non-Recruits in Big Boots
Brat Town Bugle is a free, downloadable newspaper to help bridge the gap between home front kids and their geographically separated parent. 40+ pages to choose from!
Nightlight - American Hero Hugs
Our HeroLight is a perfect way for your HERO to shine as a beacon in the night for your little one. AmericanHeroHugs night lights are handmade and edged with coordinating red or blue ribbon and personalized with a picture you upload* of your HERO.
Other great ideas - Jocelyn Green
Jocelyn Green, military wife and author of Faith Deployed has some great ideas military parents have submitted that helped their children cope with deployment.
Other great ideas - Sarah Smiley
A great collection of reader-submitted tips and ideas about dealing with deployments and military life for families of the armed services.
Patriotic crafts - Kids Thank A Vet
There are many patriotic crafts that are fun and easy to do. Here are some suggestions that can be done for special holidays or whenever you feel patriotic.
Photo quilts - Operation Kid Comfort
ASYMCA’s (Armed Services YMCA) Operation Kid Comfort is designed to address the emotional stress that children of military personnel suffer during a parent’s absence from home. Operation Kid Comfort provide free quilts for children six and under and pillows for children age seven and up. ASYMCA volunteers collect photographs from military families to make “photo-transfer” quilts that feature images of the deployed family member. Photographs of the deployed parent are scanned into a computer, printed, and placed onto the fabric. The quilt is then given to the child to play with, sleep with, or use to comfort them from the grief of missing their deployed parent.
Photo session - Operation Love Re-United
The last thing on your mind when your wife or husband arrives home after a 4 to 18 month tour, is capturing all this love– on film. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions they forget to simply point and shoot the camera they are grasping of their child’s first hug, or that single tear of relief from a mother being able to hold her twenty year old son again. With the help of Operation: Love ReUnited and local photographers near your base, you can.
If you are a member or family member of the United States Military, and are interested in having very special and touching images with a patriotic edge taken of you and/or your family before a deployment or during, and at your reunion, please contact a photographer in your area now.
It’s all made possible by artists wanting to give something back to those who make the United States what it is, and ask for nothing in return- but to come home.
Pillow - American Hero Hugs Pillow (American Hero Hugs)
Cuddle with your AmericanHeroHugs pillow today! Perfect for tucking in a backpack for an overnight visit or just snuggling with.
This adoreable handmade pillow is 8"x8", 100% cotton photo pillow and personalized with a picture you upload of your HERO. Each pillow has a red, white and blue ribbon handle to make it easy for you child to hold and carry around. Each pillow comes with our logo dogtag and AmericanHeroHugs poem.
Pillow - Sweet Dreams Picture Pillow
The Sweet Dream Picture Pillows are available to the children of any family whose father or mother is on active duty and will be absent from their family for at least three months. All pillows are provided at no charge! We do ask for a contribution to pay for shipping and handling after you order your pillow.
Pillowcase - Hero Pillow Case (American Hero Hugs)
Sleep soundly with your HERO tonight! White, 100% Long Grain Egyptian Cotton, standard pillow case personalized with our AmericanHeroHugs poem and a picture you upload* of your HERO.
Pillowcase - The Patriotic Wife
Child of a hero deployment pillowcases are custom-stitched and available in three different colors; stitching can be done on one or both sides.
Reading - See, hear and read with each other even when you're far away! (Readeo)
Ages 0-8
Ages 0-8Readeo was founded in 2009 by CEO Coby Neuenschwander while living in Chicago with his son Oliver. Because of the distance between Oliver and his grandparents, they were having trouble establishing a meaningful relationship. Visits only happened a couple of times per year, phone calls were inadequate, and video chat alone didn’t hold Oliver’s attention. Reading together became the vehicle for establishing and strengthening the relationship between grandparent and grandchild.
Today, Readeo is a patent-pending product that combines the best children’s books with high-quality video chat to create a shared reading experience called BookChatTM where people can see, hear, read and interact with grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and others—just as you would if you were in the same room. Readeo allows families to connect and interact in a meaningful way—even when they may be far apart.
Reading - United through Reading
The United Through Reading® Military Program helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home.
This powerful program is available to all deploying military units and at select USO locations. It provides parents a chance to make powerful and lasting connections with their children and parent from afar.
Recordable books - Hallmark
Hallmark’s new Recordable Storybooks allow someone like a parent or grandparent to “read” a book to a child, even when they cannot be present. The Recordable Storybook features voice capture technology, recording the reader’s voice, which is captured within the book. When a child turns a page, the book automatically plays the text on that page in the reader’s voice. Hallmark Recordable Storybooks are great alternatives for out-of-town grandparents, parents in the military, or parents who travel on business who still want to “read” to their kids from across the miles. Titles include The Night Before Christmas, All the Ways I Love You, and Bright and Beautiful.
Something to hug - American Hero Hugs Bear
Hug your HERO bear! The AmericanHeroHugs Teddy Bear is snuggly 15 inches tall. Teddy comes with a white t-shirt personalized with the AmericaHeroHugs logo and a picture you upload* of your HERO.
Something to hug - Bear Forces of America
U.S. Air Force Bears, U.S. Army Bears, U.S. Coast Guard Bears, U.S. Marine Corps Bears, U.S. Navy Bears, plus accessories. Size/styles include large, mini, plush and even a gorilla mini bear.
Something to hug - Blanket Battle Buddy (Her War, Her Voice)
Tee shirt blankets - I cut up one of my husband’s shirts and one of his uniform jackets. I used fabric and pockets from the uniform to create special places for them to insert photos, letters, or special secrets to their daddy. The fabric crawled. I ran out of thread three times. The ACU uniform was frustrating. The sewing was far from my best. Jagged stitches. Completely less than perfect. But, the absolute delight and snuggled babes made it worth every ounce of my time. Now, I want to cut up all his shirts to make more!! Directions included to make your own Blanket Battle Buddy.
Something to hug - Build-A-Bear Workshop
At Build-A-Bear Workshop®, our mission is to bring the Teddy Bear to life. An American icon, the Teddy Bear brings to mind warm thoughts about our childhood, about friendship, about trust and comfort, and also about love. Can customize with voice recordings and military gear. Now available - camo Build-A-Bears (link).
Something to hug - Daddy Dolls
Daddy Dolls was started by military spouses that found that children needed tangible things to hold during a deployment.They will print your soldier's picture on a doll, pillow case, teddy bear's shirt, dog tags, etc., and send it to you.
Something to hug - My Huggy
MyHuggy gives you 20 minutes of recording time to share your thoughts, feelings, wisdom, values, advice, and the love you have for them, in your words. MyHuggy lets your personality shine through. With MyHuggy, nothing has to be left unspoken.Let them get to know you more, let them feel your love and support, let them hear your words of encouragement when they are sad, lonely, or discouraged. Let them hear their favorite story or that special song you sing over, and over, and over again. You can even record something fun and silly, just to bring a smile to their face. Let them know you love them, let them know no matter what you are always there for them. Whenever they want or need you, they just hug MyHuggy, and feel your love and presence.
With MyHuggy, you are only a hug away!
Something to hug - Operation Give a Hug
Operation Give a Hug is a non-profit, all-volunteer program to help comfort military children by giving them special dolls, often referred to by children as their daddy or mommy doll. Each doll provides a place to put the photo of the deployed parent and gives a child a tangible way of relating to that parent.
Something to hug - Operation Hug a Hero
Give a little homeland security. The mission of Operation Hug-A-Hero® (OHAH) is to help comfort the children of our American Heroes working valiantly in support of our nation’s homeland security by providing them with a free Hug-A-Hero® doll. The vision of Operation Hug-A-Hero is to provide a Hug-A-Hero doll to every child, regardless of need, of a deploying or fallen military service member and those who support our nation’s homeland security efforts in a proactive and timely manner.
Something to hug - Huggee Miss You Doll
Sells digi-camouflage doll with recordable or non-recordable options for children of deployed parents.
Something to hug - Vermont Teddy Bear
Sells a 15" camoflauge teddy bear, desert camo with t-shirt bear and military bear (listed under Themes - Occupation).
Tear Bottle - We Serve Too
The Tear Bottle concept was developed by Kathleen Edick and Paula Johnson (authors of We Serve Too! and We Serve Too! 2 child deployment and reunion books) to accompany The Homecoming Box. How does the Tear Bottle work? Take one "tear", write or draw a representation of the event that brought the tears to the surface on your special strip of paper or ribbon. Drop the tear and the description into the bottle....
The website has downloadable instructions to create your own Tear Bottle. Also has accompanying instructions to create your own Homecoming Box.
Video - Troop Tube by Military One Source
TroopTube is the new online video site designed to help military families connect and keep in touch while miles apart. The site is designed for easy use, so you can quickly upload videos and share the simple joys of each day with each other. Sign up today and begin sharing videos.
Video conferencing - Real-time video conferencing
MyArmedForcesHero.com will be the premiere military family website worldwide, offering soldiers and their families unparalleled connections through real-time video conferencing at no cost, as well as meeting and exceeding their expectations for useful, accurate information in a quick, attractive, secure and easy-to-use format. We connect soldiers and families with the people and information they value most.
Coloring Pages - Troops in Touch
A great way to help kids stay connected with their deployed parent! Also a great way to encourage deployed friends, relatives!
Coloring pages are provided compliments of Beth Allen of Troops in Touch. Be sure to check out the pre-printed interactive cards Beth has designed for military children to send to their deployed parent (or vice versa) at www.troopsintouch.com.
The coloring pages can be printed out on home computers for children to color. New drawings will be available on an occasional basis.
You can invite kids to add decorations to the tree, put a face on the snowman, draw gifts they's like to receive - anything else you can think of!
Coloring pages are in PDF Format. To download the latest version of Adobe Reader, click here.
Coloring and Activity Books
Brat Town Bugle: A Publication of Non-Recruits in Big Boots
Brat Town Bugle is a free, downloadable newspaper to help bridge the gap between home front kids and their geographically separated parent. 40+ pages to choose from!
Coloring book, personalized - Color the Memories
Send us your photos and we’ll turn them into coloring books!
Want a new and exciting gift most kids have never seen before? Imagine how thrilled your child will be receiving a coloring book full of his/her very own photos to color! Choose photos from your favorite family vacation, a special birthday or holiday. The choices are endless!
Photo pencil sketch - Dumpr
Create digital photo pencil sketch, just upload a picture and we will do the rest. Then print them out for your kids to paint over.
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American Heroes
The Stop, Look and LearnTM line of coloring and activity books was created to educate and entertain your child. We encourage you to participate with your child in discussing each topic. Our goal is to create an activity book that will be a positive influence on your child's early development.
16 page coloring book is full of activities that highlight the importance of the men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. It serves as an introduction to the respect that all service men and women deserve.
Get your crayons ready kids! Learn the Military Alphabet!
My Dad's Deployment:
A deployment and reunion activity book for you Author: Julie LaBelle, Copyright @ 2009This 112-page activity book features mazes, dot-to-dot, counting, matching, coloring, crafts, telling time, and other activities familiar to preschool and early elementary children. Shown within the context of common deployment and reunion topics, the activities reinforce concepts young children are already learning and offer children the opportunity to ask questions, talk about their feelings, and feel connected to their deployed parent. This version is specific to a dad's deployment.
Salute the Kids:
22 pages filled with drawings that are familiar and relevant to a child's deployment experiences, with games, story starters, emotion pages and more. Lots of ways for kids to add creative touches. And there's a "Welcome Home" page too!
Copyright Benita Koeman 2008 - 2010
Children and Teens:
Deployment and Military Life Resources
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Activities
Cards
Countdown calendar
Create your own book
Dog tags, military coins, teddy bears
E-cards for Mother's Day, Father's Day
Fabric Family
Flat Brat
Flat Daddy
Hero Helper (lifesize cardboard cutout)
Hero Packs
Homecoming Box
Internet real time activities
Internet Sesame Street Family Connections
Iron on transfer
Journaling
Kissing pillows
Newspaper (Brat Town Bugle)
Nightlight
Other great ideas
Patriotic crafts
Photo quilts
Photo session
Pillow
Pillowcase
Reading
Recordable books
Something to hug
Tear bottle
Video
Video conferencing
Childbirth
Children and tweens
Teens
Deployment and military parenting resources
Children and tweens
Teens
Other Helpful Resources
(FREE downloadable newspaper to send to deployed parent)
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Organizations that support:
Deployment:
Encouragement:
Military Life:
Resources
