Help Me When I Feel Upset
You probably noticed right away – I cry a lot! Crying is the way I communicate to you since I don’t have any words yet. It’s okay for me to cry, but there are things you can do to help…
Help Me Look At You! (Even If You Aren’t Here)
Even if you aren’t at home when I first start to look at the things and people around me, you can still do things to help me look at you. If you are able to call me with video, make…
I Can Support My Own Weight (With Your Help)
Even though I can’t stand or pull up by myself, I can start practicing putting my weight on my legs with your help. Help me take these first steps to standing all by myself by holding my hands and letting…
Help Me Learn to Stand (Even If You Aren’t Home)
When I’m learning to stand, the person who is taking care of me can help by holding my hands and helping me balance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help too! I’ll try to pull myself up when I see…
Help Me Build My Self-Confidence
Even though I’m still very small, I’m now starting to understand that I can make an impact on my world. I’ll be exploring and learning new things every day, and with every discovery, my self-esteem and confidence will grow. Give…
Use Objects to Help Me Learn to Move
Now that I’m starting to go pro with tummy time, I’ll be ready to start moving even more! Before I walk, I’ll use all kinds of ways to move – rolling my body around, scooting with my belly, and, eventually,…
Helping Me Grow Strong With Tummy Time
Even though it’s hard for me to move my body around now, before you know it I’ll be crawling and walking! You can help me learn how to control my movements and gain strength by giving me lots of tummy…
Helping Me Grow With Books
I know you want me to do well when I am old enough to go to school, and you know reading is really important. If you read to me every single day, I’ll see these words and realize that they…
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?”…
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…
When I Fuss When You Say Good-Bye
If I cry, kick, scream when you leave, even if it’s only for an hour and I’m with someone I know and like, I may be saying, “I need you. I depend on you. I’m afraid you are going to…
When I Share I’m Missing My Parent
When I share that I am missing my deployed parent, I may be saying, “I need something to remind me of Daddy. It helps me feel safe and close to him.” You can help keep connections strong at home: bathe…
When I Look Overwhelmed
I may be saying, “There is so much going on!” You can help me by keeping my routine the same, as much as you can. This will help me to know what comes next. Even if we aren’t at home,…
When I Am Fussy or Won’t Stop Crying
I may be saying, “I am feeling out of sorts, off my routine.” Or I may be saying, “I feel tension in the house.” I may simply be saying, “My body is growing and changing and I am extra sensitive…
When I Hit or Bite
I may be saying, “Sometimes I’m angry,” or “I have so many feelings inside and no words for them that I lose control.” What you can do to support me is stop me firmly and gently. Tell me “It’s not…
When I Go Back to Earlier Behaviors
When I go back to earlier behaviors, such as wanting a bottle again after I have been drinking from a cup, or refusing to use the potty after I have been successful at potty training, what I may be saying…