I stumbled into being a military mom without much preparation. My dad wasn’t a military man, and neither was my husband. So when our son enlisted, I found myself with a big learning curve. Here are 8 lessons I learned as a result:
1. Adulthood comes on quickly.
The gradual transition from my little boy becoming a man ended the day he enlisted. He left for boot camp as a gangly teenager and returned weeks later a strong man.
2. Parents have fears, too.
I was lucky our kids didn’t suffer much from bad dreams. When they hit the teen years, I assumed I’d avoided that particular parenting challenge altogether. Instead, I began to wake up from nightmares of my son being wounded, or worse, on the battlefield. Prayer helps here.
3. A wardrobe speaks volumes.
Red, white and blue were the basis of my wardrobe. I was so proud of our son that I wanted to shout from the rooftops. Instead, I adopted a patriotic wardrobe. Even to this day I have a hard time passing up a flag-embellished t-shirt or scarf.
4. The phone is a lifeline.
In generations past, the mailman was a military mom’s best friend. These days, we have our ever-present cell phones ready to receive a text, picture or even a call when our kids are deployed far from home.
5. You’ll get to know the post office.
I got to know—and be known—by our local post office employees. Especially during deployments, I was there every week sending a care package from home.
6. And learn to tell military time.
I learned to think in military time. I no longer have any trouble knowing instantly that o-eight-hundred is 8 a.m.; fourteen hundred is 2 p.m.
7. Become an expert in military jargon.
As a military mom, I had to learn a whole new language—military jargon. The military has an acronym for everything. Beyond that, they have odd phrases that still populate my own way of speaking. From “He’s got your six,” which means someone is watching your back, to “no man left behind,” which means that no one is ever abandoned on the battlefield—or anywhere else.
8. Turn to God for peace.
I thought I spent a lot of time praying for our kids as they were growing up. But when one of them joined the military, I didn’t realize I’d wear out the floor in my favorite prayer spot. Even now when I drop to my knees to pray, I’m overcome by the times God met me right there with His covering of peace as He answered my prayers.
Being the mom of a son who served was a privilege and a joy. But I thought it would be nice if I could pass on some of the things I wish I’d known when the journey started.
