As you probably hear quite often, military life usually has no shortage of separations. It’s hard enough being separated from your service member because Murphy’s Law often comes to light. It can get more trying when you have other engagements, but especially if you have children.

I’ve come to call the time I parent alone “solo-parenting.” I know some people consider it “single parenting,” but I think that misses the mark. Milspouses are fortunate enough to have financial and emotional support from a spouse, unlike actual single parents.
But we certainly do parent solo for a period of time while our service members attend school, go on temporary duty, or depart for a deployment.
Solo-parenting requires the solo parent to not only be the primary caregiver, but the only caregiver. There are no moments to tag in the other parent, no one to stay with the children while you run errands, no one to take the load off your shoulders.
But milspouses are fortunate that it’s only temporary.
I have three children under the age of 5. During a six-week separation from my husband, I was thrust into a period of solo-parenting. I learned a lot about myself, but I also found what I need to do to make it through.
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