Recently, one of the many military support pages I am a part of, posted a link for a survey for parents of children who have a deployed family member. I decided I may have some useful things to contribute since Cooper is within the age parameters they were looking for, and upon completion, I get paid fifty dollars. WINNING right? So, I spent about forty five minutes to an hour answering questions.
I have spent the time leading up to this deployment and the duration of it worrying about how it will ultimately affect Cooper and his Dad's relationship and how it will affect Cooper in general. What I learned is that what they say is true, kids are resilient. There have been days in which Cooper's body appeared to be invaded by a demon child, days in which sadness has prevailed, days of extreme joy or endless chatter, but at the end of the day, I think he is stronger than I could have ever imagined. Filling out that survey reminded me of how proud I am of his tolerance and acceptance of this deployment. I could honestly say that he is very well rounded and socially adept, he can carry on a mature conversation and likes and is liked by everyone that he comes into contact with. While I am sure that I added something to the survey, I am not sure that the results were what they were looking for, or perhaps, they were exactly what they were looking for.
As to not be overlooked, they did ask how I was handling the deployment. The same cannot be said about adults, I am not so sure we are as "resilient" as children. I am pretty sure I have the occasional temper tantrum down, a fact I am not especially proud of, but the pity parties, lack of interest, isolation, sleeplessness, comfort eating, WINE...the list goes on and on for how I have, and many of my fellow military wives have coped. Perhaps we can learn a little from our kids.
I went through a deployment with my kids after Bob and I were together and it was hard on them and they are not even biologically his. We missed him so much...and the kids felt it a lot at times and then other times have this wonderful ability to push that aside and carry on as if nothing was bothering them. If I could bottle that resilient nature up and sell it I would because I know that I can use more of that even in my own life. I am glad Cooper is doing well. You are a wonderful mother! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim! Oh the things we could become rich from if only we could bottle it...you are far more resilient than you think :)
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