Resources for Military Families

The number of mothers at war has increased, causing traditional parenting roles to flip-flop. Here's a list of resources to ease this transition.

Compiled by Kathryn M. Tyranski

From Reader's Digest

• Military One Source - This is a 24/7 resource for active duty members and family members of all branches of the military and reserves (Army, Marine Corps., Navy, Air Force, Reserves, National Guard).
  
  
• MilSpouse.org - This is a one-stop website with resources for military spouses regardings employment, relocation, education, training, benefits, and many other employment, military spouse relocation, and many other areas of life.
  
  
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for Veterans - This website offers resources for finding and locating facilities for substance abuse and mental health treatment. There are also resources for families that are coping with military trauma.
  
  
• National Military Family Association - The mission of this organization says it all, "To educate military families concerning their rights, benefits and services available to them and to inform them regarding the issues that affect their lives."
  
  
• Specialized Training of Military Parents - A resource for military parents with children who have educational, mental, or physical disabilites.
  
  
• Military Homefront - Look up specific resources within your state. Narrow your search by inputting your zip code and how far you're willing to travel. Search filters for services include childcare resources, education resource, physical health resources, psychological health resources, financial resources, and many others.

• Coffee & Diapers - A blog by Navy husband and stay-at-home dad, John Avelis. Avelis offers insights into his life, recipes that other dads can try, as well as resources he has found helpful.
  
  
• Navalgazing - Mitja Ng-Baumhackl is another stay-at-home dad, whose wife is serving in the Navy JAG Corps. Currently living in Singapore, he offers insights into raising his toddler daughter, Citrus and the challenges he faces raising her alone at this juncture in his life.
  
  
• Thomas Litchford - In his self-titled blog, Thomas Litchford, writes about being father to his son, Sean, in a funny and upbeat way. His most recent posts cover many of his son's "firsts"—first haircut, first steps, first word, and first stomach bug. Litchford also contributes to Military Spouse, a magazine and accompanying website chock-full of advice for any military mom or dad including money saving coupons, a tip of the day, and blogs penned by military parents just like you.
  
  
• Dad Stays Home - A site full of message boards for dads to share their "daddyhood" experiences. From boards on sports to DIY projects to weight loss, any dad can find his niche here.
  
  
• Ramblings of a Stay at Home Mom - In her blog, Vanessa shares thoughts from her life as a wife of a Black Hawk pilot who is on active duty.
  
  
• Army Blogger Wife - This mom of three and wife to an Army man shares her daily thoughts and insights in this blog.
  
  
• Bloggings of an Army Wife - Christan Trotter's husband is in the Army and was recently deployed. Her blog is on raising twin seven-year-old girls, a baby boy, and two dogs while she waits for her husband to come home.

From Reader's Digest

• Military

• The Military's Newest Recruits: Stay-at-Home Dads
• Meet the military's fastest-growing new group of recruits—dads who stay home while Mom goes to war.
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• Finding Gilbert
• While stationed in France during World War II, an American soldier took a seven-year-old orphan under his wing. Decades later, his daughter made it her mission to locate that boy.
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