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Meet Our Writers: Military Spouse Writing Program

August 2, 2023

  Meet Our Authors The Armed Services YMCA is honored to work with six talented writers. Each of these extraordinary women shares a common bond: they are the wives of military members. But they are more than spouses—they are mothers, professionals, students, and hobbyists. These women come from different backgrounds,…...

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Reinventing Yourself and Career Path as a Military Spouse

August 1, 2023

  For as long as I can remember I have always been a listening ear, nurturer and comforter to both family and friends. After some time, it became very clear to me that advocating for others was my purpose. At the time of this major decision, my husband had just…...

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Supporting Military Kids Through a PCS Move to a New School

July 27, 2023

  For military families, making a move that includes starting over is a regular occurrence. In fact, it’s so frequent that military children face an average 6-9 transfers before even reaching high school graduation. With permanent change of station (PCS) moves often disrupting their academic journey in the middle of…...

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How to Prepare for a Second Baby

July 25, 2023

  You would think that since you are no longer a first-time parent that having a second child would be easy. But the truth is, it’s often considered the most difficult transition. Each of your children will be vastly different, and the most frustrating part is that when you think…...

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Self-Care Tips for Military Spouses

July 21, 2023

  You cannot pour from an empty cup. Many of us have heard this phrase before, but what does it mean? Not pouring from an empty cup is to stop putting everyone’s needs above your own. It is ensuring your desires are fulfilled first so you avoid becoming burnt out…...

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Making Lasting Memories through Every Military Move

July 20, 2023

  “Parting is such sweet sorrow….” -William Shakespeare I never understood the full meaning of that saying until I became immersed in military life — where life is constantly changing, farewells are common, and there is the excitement and trepidation of adventure: new opportunities, new places, and new people. Saying…...

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6 Summer Activities on a Budget for Military Families

July 18, 2023

  The weather has warmed up and kids are out of school. This can mean only one thing: parents are desperately trying to find ways to keep their kids entertained for the summer. For military families, this can be a real challenge due to budget concerns and not knowing what…...

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How to Do a PCS Move Like a Pro from a Military Spouse

July 13, 2023

  Love it or hate it, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves are typical in military life. On average, military families relocate to a new duty station every two to four years. These moves are so frequent that military children entering their senior year of high school are likely to…...

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4 Ways to Get Through A Spouse's Deployment

May 15, 2023

  The Scariest Part of Military Spouse Life… Arguably, every military spouse dreads the moment their service member says the words, “I’m getting deployed.” That moment overcomes a military spouse with so many emotions that may range from fear, anxiety, and sometimes, even anger. While every spouse knows that their…...

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What Does It Mean to Be a Military Spouse?

May 9, 2023

  We drive for almost an hour, winding our way through the base. We pass rolling hills, a neighborhood we once called home, and wildflowers blooming after an unusually wet winter. As we round the last bend, the ocean sparkles its greeting. We pick up a few items from the…...

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