7: Parenting from different states/continents, sharing
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Please read the two interview starting half way through page 4 (from 'A mother's perspective') until the end (page 9) to hear about other parents experiences and strategies for coping and communicating during lengthy deployments. There are also sections about the challenges of reintegration (when the parent returns) and how each family worked through the challenges.
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Here's what we have learnt from a research project which explored how military families use digital tools to communicate
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Adult picture books (without nudity)
These books were written from PhD data and from data from other interviews with defence spouses from WWII, Vietnam and a recent conflict. What was striking about the data was how similar the stories were, despite the different periods of time.
Both books explore the challenges facing spouses as they keep secrets from each other in order to protect the other person.
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Other resources
There is some good research-based or lived experience information in these online articles.
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Here are ten tips to help you when you live together, but your partner is away regularly.
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How to stay connected when your child lives far away.
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This article is part of a special series focusing on common challenges faced by Australian families.
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Tips for coping with a parent working away from home.
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A Christian perspective.
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Resources for parents
There is some good research-based information in these online articles, as well as some resources which you may wish to share with parents. There will also be many tips that are relevant for educators.