Military Spouse & Family
Returning Home
Having a parent home after many months apart can be hard on children. Similarly, your husband may feel overwhelmed with the amount of attention that your children may demand of him. Help re-establish parent-child bonds with these communication tips:
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Let your children spend time with your spouse before you seek time alone with him.
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Infants and toddlers tend not recognize the returning parent and become fussy. Be patient with them and encourage your spouse to re-establish contact by playing with them and participating in routine activities, like bath time.
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Elementary and middle-school-age children will be excited to see their parent and may worry about not living up to what they think are their parent’s standards. Encourage your husband to give his children a lot of attention and look over any pictures or schoolwork they share.
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Teenagers may be unwilling to change their plans with friends in order to spend time with a returning parent. Respect their privacy. Don't force or push them to spend more time with their father.
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Encourage your spouse to strike a balance between being the “Bad Guy” and the “Pushover”.
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You've already established ground rules and expectations for your children and your returning spouse should not undermine your authority. Encourage him to set reasonable guidelines.
