Class helps parents, children deal with deployments

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha Lee
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center is holding a 'Children and deployment: A learning experience' session May 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the RAF Mildenhall Youth Center.

"The mission of the program is to enhance coping skills for parents and children experiencing family separation due to deployment," said Laila Christensen, 100th Force Support Squadron A&FRC community readiness technician.

During the class, there will be separate activities for parents and children, lead by RAF Mildenhall Youth and Adult Military Family Life counselors, personnel from the A&FRC and staff from the 48th Medical Group's Early Intervention Services. These activities are intended to help both parents and children cope with the current operations tempo that has military members deploying frequently.

Children will participate in activities designed to allow them to act out their feelings and personal stories. They will have imaginative play with military figures, tell stories with puppets, and sing and act out creative songs.

During this time, parents sit down with a MFLC and discuss how to interpret these signs and behaviors.

"Parents will be taught how to recognize symptoms of stress and separation anxiety, and identify feelings in their children," said Mrs. Christensen. "They will also be given information on how to provide positive assistance to their children and where to go for professional help when needed."

Parents will discuss what to expect during deployments and how to help their children cope with the stress of having a deployed parent.

"Whether married or single, with or without children, separation causes some degree of hardship," said Mrs. Christensen. "One of the biggest challenges for parents is helping children though periods of separation while surviving it themselves."

This program is a new initiative and, with good attendance and feedback, it is hoped to be offered quarterly or, as needed, based on operations tempo.
There will be free pizza and lemonade for participants at the event. To ensure there is enough food for everyone, if possible, please contact the A&FRC DSN 238-3406 prior to the event.