Are you prepared for deployment?
So, you think you’ve got plenty of time to get everything organized and in place before your husband leaves on deployment in less than three months? Ha! Three months may seem like a lot of time, but there is so much you can/should be doing in preparation, it can sometimes be overwhelming.
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Here are a few things my husband and I do before each deployment to help us prepare…
1- COFFEE DATE
We go out for coffee and make a list of things we want/need to do before he leaves. It can be anything. Big important things like updating the will, getting our passports, making a list of all the important contacts I will need in case anything breaks around the house, or needs fixing, to the little things like sorting through your totes to donate old clothes, fix the creaky hallway door, etc.
Then prioritize them together. What absolutely MUST be done before the deployment, and what can wait, if you aren’t able to get to it.
2- CREATE A CALENDAR
Next, My husband and I print out monthly calendars from now through the month he deploys and we map out what we have going on, what we need to do, and when. To the best of our ability.
I fill in things like soccer practice, den meetings, girls night, when the kids are off school, community happenings, etc… then he fills in trainings he has, meetings, class etc. From there, we are able to see what days/evenings or weekends we have to knock out our to do list. And from there, we can even pencil in exactly what weekend we are going to do certain things. This really helps keep us on track.
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3- TO DO LIST
In addition to the calendar, we take our to do list and put it on a white board. One column is MUST DO and another is WOULD LIKE TO DO. When your list is written out where you can see it as a reminder on a daily basis, it will help you see what still needs to be done. And, the best part about having a list…. is checking it off once you’ve completed one of your tasks. Tiny victories. We all love them.
4- FAMILY TIME
Even though it may seem like getting these things done is the most important thing… (which some things may really be mandatory) always make time for family before deployment. Family is by far, the number one priority before you leave. Take time to do fun things together to create memories. Take each child on a fun day, or daddy date and do something they want to do with you. Create memories for them to cherish and remember about you while you are away. In the hustle and bustle of pre deployment, don’t let them feel like they aren’t important or deserving of your precious time. Deployments are hard on the kids too.
