FORT EUSTIS, Va –
Deployments and separations often leave military spouses "deployment-single" and is a normal and expected part of marriage in the military. With school starting in a few weeks servicemembers, expectant parents and parents with infants and young children at home may find themselves with free time to learn and build better parenting and relationship skills.
Fort Eustis Army Community Service New Parent Support Program, Langley Air Force Base Life Skills Support Clinic and Langley Hospital's Women's Health Clinic offer a plethora of classes and programs to help prepare for baby's arrival, give some one-on-one time for parents and children, and provide an opportunity for parents to meet for support and socializing.
During a recent roundtable, Fort Eustis Soldiers and spouses spoke of the challenges of childbirth and single parenting during deployments and separations.
Maria Meador, spouse of Maj. Chata Meador, 597th Transportation Brigade, related her experience as a "single" parent when her husband deployed to Haiti for Operation Unified Response two days after their infant son, Luke, was discharged from the hospital. The Meadors had recently moved to Fort Eustis from Fort Lee and were still getting their bearings when Luke fell sick and Meador deployed.
"I didn't know anyone and Luke was so sick. It was so hard trying to find child care for our oldest when I had to go to doctor's appointments with Luke," Meador said.
In an ensuing interview with New Parent Support Director Celina Stern, it was discovered that more than 20 programs are available to military spouses to help them get through the rough spots, especially when they are doing it alone.
"We go to great lengths so no one feels like they're alone and have to do this by themselves," Stern said. "We don't leave people stranded. All they have to do is call us."
Although many services and programs are available through ACS, the majority of support comes from a tightly woven network of seasoned Army spouses.
"It's always a challenge when something happens, but the families support each other," said Pfc Robert Wilson, 690th Rapid Support Opening Element, 597th Trans. Bde.
Wilson is the father of five children ranging in age from infant to 8 years of age. During a recent household move, Wilson's wife, nine months pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy, went into labor. Wilson credits the help his family received from friends during such a trying time with the new baby's arrival, providing care for the other children, and the move itself.
Support from the community, family and friends often eases the anxieties of separation for spouses and family members, but when a recently-arrived family experiences emergencies and crises, they can turn to their installation ACS for assistance.
"We have dozens of programs and services to help the Fort Eustis and the rest of the military community. We have respite services where we can get someone to come to the home. There's the Ready, Set, Baby program for expectant parents and we have playgroups for moms and babies," Stern said.
The Respite Care program is a valuable resource for a family faced with a medical emergency while their Soldier or Airman is away from home.
Provided through ACS' Exceptional Family Member Program, respite care provides free childcare for children of deployed Soldiers and Airmen, including special needs children.
Respite care is available 30 days before and 60 days after deployment. Allotted hours can be used at Child, Youth and School Services, the Child Development Center, at installation Family Child Care Providers and at on-site childcare, if available. Care for adults with moderate to severe special needs may also be available through EFMP.
Besides child and respite care, the Fort Eustis New Parent Support offers playgroups for parents and infants or young children. The groups provide not only recreational one-on-one time; the groups bring parents together for support and companionship. Stern emphasized the benefits parents can gain for themselves and their children by attending the sessions.
"I think a lot of our moms come here because they share so many common threads with other spouses, and they develop friendships and that's what it's about. With our playgroups, we're getting them out there, getting them out of isolation and giving them a place to go. We're helping them model what to do, they're learning from other moms," Stern said.
Eustis and Langley NPSPs offer several classes and services for expectant and new parents.
- Baby Bundles -- Sponsored by the Spouses Club of Fort Eustis, Baby Bundles provides a free layette to welcome new babies of eligible junior enlisted and single Soldiers. Available on a referral basis only. For information or to learn if you are eligible, call 878-0802/03/04.
- Baby Care Workshop -- A free workshop for active-duty military and Department of Defense civilians Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. at LAFB. Registration required. Call 764-8997 to register or for more information.
- Breastfeeding Support Groups -- Offered at LAFB Community Center, 62 Walnut Ave., Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call D'Anne Dougherty at 846-1090.
- Budgeting for Baby -- Fort Eustis ACS, Bldg. 601, Lee Blvd. Call 878-3638 ext. 246 for dates and times.
- Childbirth Preparation -- Langley Women's Health Clinic offers Childbirth Preparation classes for expectant parents 28 weeks pregnant. The four-week program starts the first Tuesday of each month. Contact the clinic at 225-7630 and select option 3.
- Infant and Child CPR -- Classes offered at LAFB Community Center. Cost is $10. Call 764-2983 to register.
- Infant Massage -- A free one-hour , workshop for all military new and expectant parents taught by a certified massage therapist. Participants must bring baby or a baby doll. To register, call 878-7108.
- Child Safety Seats -- Free child safety seats are available to parents who attend a safety seat installation and use class and meet qualifications. Call 594-3717 to register.
- Just for New Dads -- Free informational packets with tips on how to be the best dad ever. Call to schedule an appointment at 878-7108, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 878-0804.
- One-on-One Potty Training -- Parents learn how to make potty training a positive experience. Call the New Parent Support Program at 878-3638 ext. 231 for appointments or more information.
- Ready, Set, Baby -- A comprehensive interactive workshop where parents learn how to plan for baby's arrival. The workshop is free and open to all military expectant and new parents. Call Fort Eustis ACS at 878-3638 ext. 223, 878-7106/08 for class schedule or to learn more.
- USAF Bundles for Babies -- Baby bundles provided for all participants by Air Force Aid Society. Pre-registration required. Call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 764-3990 to register. (This service is for USAF active-duty families only.)
Other services and programs are available to meet the needs of parents of older children as well as classes and services to help build and maintain strong military families.
- Fort Eustis Play Morning -- For parents/caregivers and children up to 5 years of age. Meets Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Youth Services, Bldg. 1102. Call 878-3638 ext. 223, 878-7106/08 for more information.
- Fort Eustis Toddler Time -- Join other moms and dads with children ages 2 and under for an hour of play, songs and topic discussions Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. at Youth Services, Bldg. 1102. Call New Parent Support, 878-3638 ext. 223, 878-7106/08.
- Parents & Tots Playgroup -- For moms with children 12 months through 8 years, the playgroup meets Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at Bethel Manor Chapel, 1793 1st Ave. To register or for more information, call 764-3990.
Resources for parents are also available off-base/post and at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.
- Children and Divorce -- Offered by Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers This four-hour workshop that helps parents learn how to help their children through the pain of divorce. The course also meets the requirements for the state of Virginia for divorcing couples with contested custody issues. For information or to register, in Newport News call 688-6289. In Yorktown, call 887-4606.
- Hispanic Circle of Parents -- Free classes where Hispanic families come together to share homemade food, crafts and activities, and field trips. Classes held at the Family Focus -- Stoneybrook site, 15446 Warwick Blvd., Newport News Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact Martha Pokornik at 878-7108.
- Hispanic Playgroups -- Offered by Newport News Healthy Families, groups meet two Fridays each month. Call 247-3600 ext 18 to learn more.
- Parenting in a Military Family -- A two-part workshop that explores what it means to discipline children and how it can be accomplished most effectively. Classes offered by Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers. To register in Newport News call 688-6289, in Yorktown call 887-4606.
- Single Parenting in the Military This single-session workshop explores ways for active-duty military parents to balance their military and parental responsibilities and looks at the opportunities and challenges of parenting alone in the military. Offered by Fleet & Family Support Centers, 8100 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Yorktown. Call 887-4606 to register.