Surviving Your Husband's Deployment

No matter what branch of service your husband is serving our country in, deployments are hard on both your husband as well as you, the wife. Now that your husband is gone, you not only have to deal with the emotions of having your loved one gone but you also have to step up and take care of the home, any children and financial business. Your husband is defending the country and you are defending your home life. This is no easy task and no one really understands what it is like until they walk in the shoes of a military spouse.

No one chooses to marry someone that will be gone half a year or more. We don't fall in love with our husbands because of their careers; we fall in love with the person. So just because our husbands are away because of their career doesn't mean we fall out of love with the person. So in spirit of love, we have to remain strong and supportive in the time that our country has made us share. There are things you can do to help the time pass a little faster and ways you can make holding up the home front easier.

Get Out of the House

This is especially helpful when your husband leaves. The first few days, it is important to have things to do to keep busy so your mind doesn't become wound up around the sadness and longing you feel.

Do Errands You Have Been Meaning To Do

This goes along with keeping busy when your husband first leaves. Get those letters you have been meaning to send, take your recyclables to the recycling center, buy things you have needed but just haven't had the chance to get, etc.

Devise a Budget

When our husbands are gone, it always seems easier not to spend so much money. Since you are the only one spending money, it's time to save some money to maybe use on a vacation once he returns.

Plan a Vacation

If you know when your husband is coming home and that he can take some leave, plan a vacation. Just thinking about taking some time for the both of you or with your children will make you feel so much better.

Rearrange Furniture

Sometimes making your home look different will help you feel better. The hard part of having your husband leave is that you don't have him around and you start reminiscing when he was home.

Take Care of Things As They Come

One of the things about taking care of everything at home is that things start to become overwhelming. Return calls as they come, pay bills as soon as you can, if you need to mail something do it right away, etc.

Clean Everyday

Doing a little cleaning everyday will help you feel less overwhelmed than if you let laundry pile up, dishes pile up in the sink, neglect vacuuming and mopping, etc.

Unclutter Closets

Have any closets that have turned into junk closets or any junk drawers? This is the time to clean things out. You will feel that you have accomplished something and it will pass the time.

Schedule Time with Friends

Sometimes when your husband is home you get wrapped up in doing things with him and you don't have time to catch up with friends. Call your friends and see if they would like to do lunch or dinner. Going out and having fun will do wonders.

Have a Schedule Each Day

When you have a schedule of what to do each day will keep your mind occupied and your days filled until he comes home. This will make the time pass quickly. Just like the saying goes, time flies when you're having fun.

An important aspect of surviving your husband's deployment is having support from friends and family. You may need help some days and need to talk about how you are feeling. Just because you can do things to make your time away from husband easier, it doesn't make the time easy. Reaching out and asking for help is not something to be ashamed of, it is a necessity.