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Preparing for homecoming
So you are getting to have a homecoming ceremony? Here are a few things to keep in mind as the days get closer!
1. Don’t Plan Too Much
Many spouses get caught up in schedules, homecoming parties, and trying to make sure everything falls precisely into place. While intentions are good many overdo it and by the time the homecoming arrives you have missed out on the excitement of just being excited. Plan the things that have no choice but to be planned, but let everything else fall into place. Your soldier will appreciate a less frazzled you when he comes home.
2. Hurry Up and Wait!
A very {TRUE} statement when it comes to the military, right? The truth is, when it comes to homecoming arrival dates and times they change. You will hear one date and in some cases another then another. You rush to do things only to have to keep waiting. Don’t plan for major events on the same “supposed” day of homecoming just in case dates change.
3. Don't overdue company right away
It’s understandable that friends and family are just as excited to see the returning service member. That being said as mentioned above, homecomings can equal a lot of waiting which can be tiring. You may want to refrain from party planning right away since timing is never certain. Give your service member a chance to unwind for a day or so and set a specific time for which friends and family can start to come over.
4. Emotions and the effects
As hard as it will be, try to remain calm as your kids will feed off your emotion. If you are stressed and frazzled they will respond to that causing your day to be very hectic. Take deep breaths.
5. Friends
Who else knows what you are going through better than another military SO? Getting together a day or two before the ceremony to make signs or just have some down time will help the time go by so much faster. Also if their man isn’t coming home on the same day as yours it never hurts to bring them along to take pictures and help keep both you and the kids together. Just remember to try and return the favor when their day comes.
6. The Outfit
Shopping for an outfit several times over the course of the deployment only to end up not wearing any of the four outfits purchased is an all too familiar thing for us SO’s. In the end just opt for something trusty and cute! Now, I won’t say don’t shop for an outfit because what fun would a homecoming be without shopping for something cute for your honey to see you in, but I will say don’t stress over it. He is going to love whatever you wear and remember "It’s just going to come off anyway”
7. Cleaning House
I hear it all the time from tons of spouses “OMG I have to have the house immaculate before he comes home”! Was the house immaculate before he left? The truth is these guys have been in small CHU’s and dirty looking little pods modeled to be their temporary homes and most times are sharing it with other guys. As long as they have a clean bed and a stocked fridge don’t kill yourself trying to do crazy amounts of cleaning. I am sure he won’t notice that you didn’t clean the baseboards.
8. Prepare for Relaxation
Last but not least prepare for at least one to two days of relaxation and low-key days at home. Your spouse’s internal clock will be off due to travelling from a different time zone. Jet lag will set in and you might be truly surprised at the amount of time he will sleep. Don’t take it personally just enjoy staring at him sleeping and the fact that he is home.
1. Don’t Plan Too Much
Many spouses get caught up in schedules, homecoming parties, and trying to make sure everything falls precisely into place. While intentions are good many overdo it and by the time the homecoming arrives you have missed out on the excitement of just being excited. Plan the things that have no choice but to be planned, but let everything else fall into place. Your soldier will appreciate a less frazzled you when he comes home.
2. Hurry Up and Wait!
A very {TRUE} statement when it comes to the military, right? The truth is, when it comes to homecoming arrival dates and times they change. You will hear one date and in some cases another then another. You rush to do things only to have to keep waiting. Don’t plan for major events on the same “supposed” day of homecoming just in case dates change.
3. Don't overdue company right away
It’s understandable that friends and family are just as excited to see the returning service member. That being said as mentioned above, homecomings can equal a lot of waiting which can be tiring. You may want to refrain from party planning right away since timing is never certain. Give your service member a chance to unwind for a day or so and set a specific time for which friends and family can start to come over.
4. Emotions and the effects
As hard as it will be, try to remain calm as your kids will feed off your emotion. If you are stressed and frazzled they will respond to that causing your day to be very hectic. Take deep breaths.
5. Friends
Who else knows what you are going through better than another military SO? Getting together a day or two before the ceremony to make signs or just have some down time will help the time go by so much faster. Also if their man isn’t coming home on the same day as yours it never hurts to bring them along to take pictures and help keep both you and the kids together. Just remember to try and return the favor when their day comes.
6. The Outfit
Shopping for an outfit several times over the course of the deployment only to end up not wearing any of the four outfits purchased is an all too familiar thing for us SO’s. In the end just opt for something trusty and cute! Now, I won’t say don’t shop for an outfit because what fun would a homecoming be without shopping for something cute for your honey to see you in, but I will say don’t stress over it. He is going to love whatever you wear and remember "It’s just going to come off anyway”
7. Cleaning House
I hear it all the time from tons of spouses “OMG I have to have the house immaculate before he comes home”! Was the house immaculate before he left? The truth is these guys have been in small CHU’s and dirty looking little pods modeled to be their temporary homes and most times are sharing it with other guys. As long as they have a clean bed and a stocked fridge don’t kill yourself trying to do crazy amounts of cleaning. I am sure he won’t notice that you didn’t clean the baseboards.
8. Prepare for Relaxation
Last but not least prepare for at least one to two days of relaxation and low-key days at home. Your spouse’s internal clock will be off due to travelling from a different time zone. Jet lag will set in and you might be truly surprised at the amount of time he will sleep. Don’t take it personally just enjoy staring at him sleeping and the fact that he is home.