Milspouse Matters

On this episode, I'm answering your questions! We're talking about the isolation felt living overseas, dealing with deployment…and you can find out what my favorite duty station was and maybe something you don't know about me. Keep the questions coming!

Next, I'm joined by recurring guest and veteran Army spouse Tara Howes, and we discuss some realistic ideas for self care for military spouses during this time of quarantine. With everyone at home, working from home, schooling kids at home, it may seem counter intuitive to think you can take a break! Listen in for some humor and realistic ideas.

CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

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Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

On this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Brantley of More Than a Mrs. and The DiscardIt podcast to talk about "Where do we go from here?" as we all figure out how to move beyond hashtags and social media posts, in hopes of making an actual difference and combat racism in our corners of the world.

I'm so thankful for her insight and willingness to discuss this important topic. Her wisdom and kindness shine through in how she relates to others, and I think you'll find some great advice and resources.

CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODE

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

On this episode, we're talking all about relocation and househunting after PCS, with some expert tips from Sharon Gran of MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc.

I also share a few thoughts about living in military housing, including making the decision, pros and cons, and how to be a good neighbor when living in base housing.

I've been working for MilitaryByOwner for over 5 years now as their Content Editor for all the resources, blogs, and articles they provide for military families, and I know how much they love and support the military community, so I just knew Sharon would be a great fit to share her expertise on military relocation!

I also want to say THANK you for listening, and for all your support and notes over the past almost 2 years of this podcast! YOU are the reason I do what I do!

CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE.

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

One thing that's usually certain about military life is that you will move at some point! Today, I have SO much information to share with you, and I really hope you will get something out of it, whether it's your first move or tenth!

Having been through 13 moves as a military family, I'm sharing practical tips for your PCS move, sprinkled with some funny stories and wise advice from other military spouses and listeners.

We're talking about prepping for a move, moving with kids of all ages, moving with pets, moving overseas, and even some thoughts about when it seems like all your friends are moving but you're stuck.

Click here for resources mentioned in this episode.

Ultimate PCS Move Resource List (all links and resources mentioned in this episode plus a few extras!)

Timestamps:

• 7:40 PCS Terms and Acronyms to Know/General PCS Tips to Keep You Sane!

• 14:35 Your First PCS or a PCS Refresher

• 15:12 Things to Do Before the Movers Arrive or Packing Out

• 18:16 Military Spouse "Pro Gear"

• 19:20 Researching Before Your Move (neighborhoods, schools, etc)

• 23:10 Tips for Moving Day

• 30:45 Moving with Kids

• 34:40 Moving In Day

• 38:00 Overseas Move

• 42:00 Tips for Helping Kids Through a Move

• 45:45 Moving with Pets

• 49:48 When You're Not Moving, But All Your Friends Are

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

Difficult Conversations—Are you having them? 

Today’s episode is a bit shorter and different than originally intended. In light of what’s been going on in our country the past couple of weeks, I just couldn't continue with it as if things were normal. 

With the killing of George Floyd on May 25 at the hands of a police officer while other police looked on, and the resulting protests and riots, the topics of racism and race relations are at the forefront of everyone’s mind and all over social media and in our daily conversations. What happened was evil. There’s no way around it. 

I’ve wondered what to say, if I’ll say it wrong, and how to even approach this. So please bear with me. I’ve been talking to some of my black friends both in real life and online, and decided I wanted to address this on the podcast, but please know that I am treading lightly and if I make a misstep or say something not quite the right way, it is on me. 

A lot of us are having some difficult conversations we’ve never had before. It’s easier sometimes to just leave it alone, to not talk about such hard things. Racism. Injustice. Maybe our own part in it. 

To my black friends….I see you. I hear you. I am sorry if I have failed you in the past. But it is not your responsibility to deal with my guilt or make me feel better about this. 

So on this episode, I want to talk to those of you who are trying to become good allies to our black friends, family members, and the greater community. I am here and I am trying. But it is not up to our black friends to hold our hands, educate us, or make us feel better. They’re exhausted. They’re tired. They’re tired of fighting. 

It’s ok to be learning. It’s ok to change your mind about something you may have always believed and now realize you had it wrong. It’s ok to realize maybe you haven’t done things well in the past and try to do better. We have to do better. 

On this episode, I’m going to share some advice I’ve been given over the past few days, then point you to some resources if you’re looking to learn more, grow more, and help your kids as they grow up.

Posting on social media is valid, expressing your support online is valid, talking is valid, but where do we go from here? We can’t stop fighting racism because it stops trending. 

I hope you’ll listen, join the discussion, and find some resources and practical ways you can help.

See the full show notes and resources mentioned here. 

This episode is a special remembrance for Memorial Day. I'm sharing a little bit of the history of Memorial Day (once called Decoration Day), along with some excerpts from my upcoming book. This week, let's remember the fallen, along with their families who must carry on without them.

How do we honor those who've sacrificed their lives for our country? How do we truly live and respect what they gave up? Join me for this short episode and take a moment to remember.

SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

Lisa Molinari describes herself as a "garden variety military spouse" who was never nominated for Military Spouse of the Year. Yet, through decades of military life, she looked for the humor inherent in hard and even absurd circumstances and discovered her own unique ways of coping with the challenges that are common to us all: worries about our kids, living far from family, feeling inadequate around other spouses…you get it! She found that her ability to laugh and process her experiences through writing became her outlet.

You're going to love Lisa's warm, practical humor and the gentle reminder to laugh and not take ourselves too seriously. I had so much fun talking to her! I hope you'll be inspired to give yourself permission to take time for yourself and figure out how you best cope with life as a military spouse. As Lisa says,

"Everyone has a good story to tell."

Click here for resources mentioned in this episode.

Find the complete Milspouse Matters show archive.

Want to purchase multiple copies of Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse?

Contact Jen on her site for information and pricing.

On this episode, I'm talking to Mark Steffe from First Command, who's sharing some very practical financial and money-saving tips for military families. We can all use some help with our budgets, right? He talks about ways to stay on track with your financial goals, even during this historic time of job losses and furloughs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We also discuss how to handle your finances if you happen to have extra income, such as a military Cost of Living Allowance, special duty pay...or even a bonus or stimulus check! One message I hope you come away with is that, whether your finances are in a mess or you're just looking to make some tweaks to your budget, that there are resources to help you! You don't have to figure it out alone.

Military spouses and veterans, you might be interested to know that First Command is hiring--no experience necessary, and it's a portable career opportunity! Learn more at First Command careers and let them know you heard about it here!

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED

Find the complete Milspouse Matters show archive.

On this episode, I'm talking to Stacy Huisman and Amanda Trimillos, coauthors of the book, Seasons of My Military Student. It was so fun to hear how they came together to write this important book that's so helpful for military families and teachers alike.

They share about that process and then give some great advice about how we can help our military kids through the transitions that go along with changing schools, settling into new routines, and the disruptions these students regularly face with military life. Then we're talking about some fun and unique ways we can recognize military kids during this unprecedented time of closures and quarantine in the Month of the Military Child.

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED

Find the complete Milspouse Matters show archive.

Want to purchase multiple copies of Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse? Contact Jen on her site for information and pricing.

If you suddenly find yourself in charge of supervising your kids' schooling due to the coronavirus pandemic, this episode is for you!

This week, Jen talks to Claire Wood, who is both a teacher and a homeschooling mom. Claire shares some great tips about 'temporary schooling from home,' including managing expectations, how to stay flexible while complying with what your school requires, keeping rhythms vs. worrying about tight schedules, tips to keep kids motivated, boredom busters, and so much more!

Whether you're homeschooling solo, trying to manage work from home along with home education, you'll find tips to make the days easier. Biggest reminder: this is not a normal time, so don't be so hard on yourself! We also talk about homeschooling while your military member is deployed or not available, and the importance of finding in-real-life support.

Click here for resources mentioned in this show, including Claire's free download, "10 Tips for Peaceful Temporary Homeschooling."

Find the complete Milspouse Matters show archive.

Want to purchase multiple copies of Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse? Contact Jen on her site for information and pricing.