April - Month of the Military Child

April: The Month of the Military Child – Celebrating Resilience and Strength

Each year, the month of April serves as a time to reflect on the incredible resilience and strength of military children. Designated as the "Month of the Military Child," this month is an opportunity to honor the unique challenges and contributions of young people growing up in military families. These children, often referred to as "military brats," embody a sense of resilience that is cultivated through the unique and sometimes difficult circumstances they face.

Children Playing

Resilience in the Face of Constant Change

Military children experience a lifestyle that is fundamentally different from their civilian peers. From frequent relocations to being separated from one or both parents during deployments, the challenges they face are numerous and can feel daunting at times. However, these children consistently show remarkable adaptability, navigating their lives with strength and grace.

The frequent moves, often to different states or countries, demand that military children quickly learn to make new friends, adjust to new schools, and adapt to different cultures and environments. It’s not uncommon for a child in a military family to attend several schools before they graduate high school. This constant change teaches them flexibility, resourcefulness, and independence, as well as the ability to form lasting connections quickly, even in unfamiliar surroundings.

When parents are deployed, military children must also learn to cope with long periods of separation. This can be emotionally challenging, but many military kids learn to rely on other family members, friends, and their communities for support. They understand that their family member is serving a greater purpose, and their understanding of sacrifice and duty is often deeper than that of their civilian counterparts.

The Term "Brat": A Badge of Honor or a Stigma?

The term "military brat" is often used to describe children raised in military families. While some may see this term as derogatory or dismissive, many military children embrace it as a badge of honor. The term "brat" has evolved over the years, and in many circles, it is now used with pride. For military children, being a “brat” means being part of a global community of individuals who share a unique lifestyle and set of experiences.

The origins of the term are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to be an abbreviation of “British Regiment Attached Traveler,” a term that referred to the children of soldiers stationed overseas. Over time, it became more commonly associated with American military families. While some may still use the word negatively, many military families view it as an affectionate or even empowering label that highlights the strong, adaptable, and often independent nature of military children.

Honoring Military Children Through Supportive Organizations

While military children are incredibly resilient, it is important to remember that they don’t have to face their challenges alone. Numerous organizations are dedicated to supporting military children, offering services ranging from educational resources to emotional support. These organizations help ease the unique burdens that come with military life and foster a sense of community and belonging. Here are several key organizations that work with military children:

1. The National Military Family Association (NMFA)The NMFA is a non-profit organization that advocates for the well-being of military families, including children. They provide programs and resources that focus on the emotional, educational, and financial challenges faced by military children. Their mission is to ensure that military families receive the support they need to thrive.

2. Operation Homefront Operation Homefront offers a wide array of programs designed to support military families, including emergency financial assistance, housing support, and programs aimed at alleviating the stress and uncertainty that military children often face. Their "Back-to-School Brigade" program, which provides school supplies to children in military families, is one of many ways they help make the back-to-school transition smoother.

3. Blue Star Families Blue Star Families provides support for military families by connecting them to a community of other military families and offering various programs that focus on helping children cope with the challenges of military life. Their programs include family resilience workshops, virtual family events, and initiatives that help children adjust to frequent moves and school changes.

4. Fisher House Foundation The Fisher House Foundation provides comfortable, safe housing for families of military members who are receiving medical care at military hospitals. By offering a home-like environment, the Foundation allows families to stay close to their loved ones during times of medical need, minimizing the emotional and logistical stress that can be particularly difficult for military children.

5. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)TAPS provides a network of support for children who have lost a military parent. They offer grief counseling, mentorship, and peer support groups to help military children cope with loss. TAPS ensures that no child of a fallen soldier has to grieve alone, providing them with the tools to heal and grow stronger.

6. Sesame Street for Military Families Sesame Workshop, the organization behind "Sesame Street," has developed a series of resources specifically designed to support military children. Through videos, apps, and interactive materials, Sesame Street for Military Families helps children understand and cope with the emotional challenges of deployments, relocations, and reintegration when a parent returns from service.

Conclusion

April serves as an important reminder to acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of military children. These children embody strength, adaptability, and courage as they navigate the unique challenges of military life. Whether they are moving to a new location, dealing with the deployment of a parent, or managing the complexities of military life, military children continuously prove their resilience. By supporting organizations dedicated to their well-being, we can help ensure that they thrive and feel celebrated, not just during April, but year-round.