Daddy Is Coming Home- Transition

There are a couple of really good replies with some great suggestions here. I've never had to deal with a deployment or my husband even having to take a business trip. But I have found a neat little photo album for kids. I put in pictures of our extended family who don't live nearby so my son can get used to their faces. Here's a link to the album:

http://www.amazon.com/Who-Loves-Baby-Photo-Book/dp/B00000...

Now my son can look through the book and I can say, where's Papa, etc., and he can point him out. :-)

Good luck!

I know your son is little but tell him Daddy has been away and just tell him he is back now and that he loves you very much. I know the stranger thing is hard to handle. Start out slow with Daddy doing things with him b/c if you rush it it might make your son scared. Good luck.

Hey S.!

Pictures are a good way to start, especially for the 18-month old so that he recognizes him when he sees him. Start talking to the kids about the fact that daddy is getting ready to come home from work and be EXCITED! Have them make little gifts for him, little momentos (draw some pictures if they can) so they will feel special and good about it. It may not hurt to have a small party and let them help "decorate." Get them involved so they feel a part of it and will probably welcome him home more easily.

Good luck and I'm glad to hear your soldier is coming home!

D.

just let them take it slow..dont try to push them together too much right away. my daughter's father (who im in an on/off relationship with) is in the Navy also and she was 6 months when he left and just came back and she's 1 now so she didnt remember him either..let them get used to seeing eachother around then bit by bit let them have more "alone time" together to get used to eachother again. thats what i had to do cuz when Chris came back he wasnt used to being around Zoey either cuz she had changed so much since the last time he had seen her...hope i could help some! good luck..
*C.*

One thing that was told to us when getting ready for my husbands ship to come home, was for when daddy gets off the ship for him to hug you FIRST then to get down on his knee to their level and hold his arms out. This does a few things...letting your kids see him hug you first lets them know that he is an ok person to be around...that he isn't dangerous or threating or anything. Then getting down on his knee to their level and holds his arms out makes him even less threating and it lets them decide to give him a hug or not. If they are too "scared" to give him a hug, don't force it..they will come around. It might take an hour or a whole day. Just let him be "fun" around the kids and let them know that he's ok...They might remember him as "daddy" but just might not be sure b/c he's been gone so long.

Good Luck!

My husband was also gone for seven months before he came home for R&R. Our daughter was only 18 months old when he left. We did several things that I think were a great help. First, she had her own picture of Daddy that she could have whenever she wanted and that she said goodnight to eveynight (she would even kiss it though I wouldn't push that unless your son wants to). I didn't know this at the time but you can also order something called a "Daddy Doll" which is a pillow whose cover is a full length image of Daddy. I have several friends who have done this and say it has been great. I believe the website is daddydolls.com.

My husband also made videos of himself reading some of her favorite books so she could have bedtime stories with Daddy. We made some before he left and he made some while he was gone. I don't know if they have that type of facility where your husband is but he could ask or maybe someone else there has a video camera they would be willing to share. Even just video where it is obvious he's talking to the children would be great.

I also tried to get her revved up about Daddy coming home. Whenever it would get close to time, we would sing and chant about "Daddy's coming home ! Hoorah!" No particular song or tune just anything to show I was excited so she could be excited. We also decorated the house and made signs and pictures.

I want to warn you to be prepared for some of the stresses. Zoe flipped whenever Mike left the house once he came home (even for good) especially if he had on his uniform. Your husband may need to plan some extra time before he goes out to reassure the kids that he is coming home later that day. She tested him a lot for a while after he got home. He had to be very patient.

I'm so glad this time is coming to a close for you. I remember how hard it is. I hope some of these ideas help. I would also urge you to use them with your daughter too. When I look at her bithday I see she is pretty little too. She remembers him but she may still feel a little shy for a while.

Good Luck!!!

No advice -- just wanted to thank you for the sacrifice YOU make, in sending your husband off to secure our freedom. Thank God he is coming home!

I know it can't be easy doing it all yourself while he is gone. You are amazing. Big Hugs to you!!!