Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/711198
Updated December 2017 Another option is to have your deployed love one video record reading a story for you to be able to view at any time. This would then also allow for you to read the story at home along with the video to have the sense that you are together. You can also record the child reading the story to the camera and send it off to the CAF member so that they are able to share that experience. STAYING CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER AFFIRMATION BRACELETS Have the siblings create bracelets for each other with words of affirmation, meaning all of the people, places, ideas, and possibilities that evoked positive, safe, happy sensations. Good vibes indicated a "green light, go for it" type of decision and described synchronicities, beneficial encounters, and sensations of protection and grace. Providing words of affirmation from the home can help increase a sense of family and support and increase one's self-esteem. COOKING A MEAL TOGETHER Have the siblings work together on selecting a meal that they would like to prepare for the family. Ensure that there is communication throughout the process of the meal preparation and emphasize that no matter the outcome of the meal it is the working towards something together is what is important. SALT OR SAND COLOUR JARS Have different colors of sand/salt represent different qualities in a person. Have each sibling create a sand filled jar for their other sibling and explain why they used the colors. This can either be a progressive activity where the sand is added as they feel their sibling has exhibited that quality or done in a one day activity where the full jar represents how they see each other. Have the jars displayed where they can see them on a daily basis and reflect on them. WRITING LETTERS Often during the deployment of a family member there are many emotions which are experienced. Sometime individuals are not aware of how deployment affects others. Have the siblings write a letter to one another about a subject (the deployment, each other) and let them share it. This can open the lines of communication and sometimes you can notice that they can share things with each other which they will not be able to share with you. Ensure that you let the children know that these letters will be private. LET THEM TAKE CHARGE During deployment it is important to have the children feel like they are in control of some things. When a love one leaves it can be felt that the child has no control or no say, so allowing them to take control of a project will allow them to feel empowered. For instance, maybe they'll have a lemonade stand, or wash the car together. Or maybe they're in charge of the decorations for Father's Day, or planning a fun family outing. Let the children work together to do the planning, with you only. SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR PET Pets like a dog or a cat are wonderful because they love you unconditionally and they are always there for you to talk to. That's why so many people have them. It's extremely therapeutic spending time petting an animal. It forces you to be present, it forces you to feel. Have the children work together with their pet. Take them for a walk, give them a bath, play with a new toy or even read them a story.