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Homeschooling & Deployment
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I was reading a book on homeschooling the other day. In one of the chapters the author recommends that the mother call the father when the children are unruly. She states that the father must be the principal of the homeschool family, thus coming home and setting the children straight and instructing them to listen to the mother/teacher.
Okay, if I took that advice the phone conversation would go something like this: “Honey, can you hop a plane and come home to straighten out the children?” The truth is within a military homeschooling family the ‘principal’ is a lot of times on a different continent from the family.
It goes without saying that military homeschoolers are unique in the fact that most of the time one parent has to be the teacher and principal while the other parent is deployed, TDY, out in the field, or just working really long hours.
So though the deployed spouse cannot be there, the homeschooling spouse does not have to manage the struggles of the family alone. I have researched and found what type of support groups and resources are available on Fort Bliss. I am finding out that a lot of homeschoolers new to Fort Bliss are also new to the Army, so I did not assume anything.
First there is Army Community Services (ACS). They have a wealth of information and resources available to the family. If the family is dealing with a deployment then the Family Advocacy can help you. They have a lending library with books and videos on such topics as how to use positive parental discipline or how to help your child deal with stress. These subjects can be useful anytime but especially when the parent is already stressed due to a deployment.
Also through ACS is the Waiting Families Program on base for spouses of deployed soldiers. It will give you a support network and free childcare!
To find out about any of these programs call 1-866-562-8185.
The Child and Youth Behavioral Program is part of the Military and Family Life Consultant Program. They are Masters and Ph.D. level consultants specializing in child and youth behavioral issues. They address issues such as deployment or separation, reunion readjustment, fear, grief, and loss, sibling and parent-child communication. You do not have to have a referral and the family member receives 12 visits per issue.
This is a great resource for homeschool families struggling with deployment issues. It is totally confidential, and the soldier’s command will not be notified. The lady I interviewed told me they did not even take notes because it was so strictly confidential. Their number is 915-490-2736.
Of course in a perfect world we could just call our spouses to come home, but since the world is not perfect at least these organizations are there to help us through the tough times.
To contact the Fort Bliss Homeschool Association, visit their website at www.ftblisshomeschoolers.webs.com or email paris722003@yahoo.com
Deployment and Homeschooling
Fort Bliss Home School Association
by Kathy P
Armed Services YMCA
Military Link - PSA
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