When I Throw a Tantrum
What I may be saying is, “I am frustrated! I want to do this, but I am not able,” or “I don’t know how to communicate what I am feeling to you.” Sometimes I might tantrum when I am tired…
If I Want to Help My Injured Parent
When I show interest, curiosity, or desire to help with caring for my injured parent, I may be saying, “I want to help. I like to feel confident and competent.” You can support me by giving me tasks I can…
When I Act Like I Don’t Care
You may wonder about how I am feeling when I giggle, laugh, and play even though my parent is deployed. What I may be saying is, “Even though my Mom is gone, there is so much for me to see and do and…
When I Am Fussy
What I might be saying is, “I am feeling sick, or tired, or hungry.” I might be trying to tell you I am sad or mad, or just overwhelmed by everything going on around me. You can help me by…
When I Look Sad or I’m Clingy
I may be saying, “I feel tension. Something is going on.” or “I’m trying to understand what’s going on and feel a little in control of my life.” You can help me by offering simple, clear words for what is…
How I Learn to Regulate My Emotions
Did you know that I need to learn how to regulate my emotions before I can follow rules and understand limits? That’s right! And I don’t have the ability to calm myself when I am first born. I need you…
If I Act Afraid of My Returning Parent
When I cry, hesitate, pull away from/act afraid of my parent who has just come home, what I may be saying is, “I need time to get to know you again and to feel safe and at ease with you.”…
Visiting My Parent in the Hospital
When I am getting ready to visit my parent in the hospital, I may be saying, “I want to be with my injured parent, but I need your support.” I may be a child who is easily overwhelmed or very…
When I Look Sad or I’m Clingy
I may be saying, “I miss my deployed parent, and it’s hard dealing with all of these changes.” You can support me by offering clear, simple words for what I may be feeling: “You look sad, are you missing Mommy?”…
How I Learn Self-Control
I am growing and learning so many things so quickly! Yet, I am still so young. I still haven’t mastered the ability to control my emotions. That is something that began when I was born, but will continue to develop…
If a Lot of Noise Makes Me Upset
When I cry and get fussy when there is a lot of noise and/or people around, I may be saying, “It is upsetting—hard for me to take it all in.” You can support me by keeping my daily routines consistent.…
If I Squirm, Cry, or Fuss at the Hospital
When I am in the hospital to visit my injured parent and I squirm, cry, or fuss, I may be saying, “I am hungry, tired, or I have been here too long and I need a break. The tension in…
When I Push You Away, then Cry
When I do things you don’t understand, like push you away then cry for you, I may be saying, “I miss my parent who is away, and I worry that you will leave me too.” I worry that my parent…
How I Learn to Regulate My Emotions
I am growing and learning so many things so quickly! Yet, I am still so young. I still haven’t mastered the ability to control my emotions. That is something that began when I was born but will continue to develop…
When I Look Confused
I may be saying, “What’s going on here?” You can support me, especially when you first leave military service and so much is changing, by telling me what is happening in clear and simple words. “Mommy is coming home and…
If I Am Restless at the Hospital
When I am in the hospital to visit my injured parent and I am restless, or start to get into things, what I may be saying is, “This is a little space with too many rules. I’m tired of ‘be…
