Life in Military Family Teaches Resilience, Kids Say Published April 29, 2014 By Master Sgt. Jennifer Loredo, Army FALLS CHURCH, Va., -- This is the eighth in an occasional series of blogs by Master Sgt. Jennifer Loredo for Operation Live Well. Loredo is the senior enlisted advisor for the Army's Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program. She is also a Gold Star Wife. In 1986, then-Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger designated April as "The Month of the Military Child." Across the Department of Defense and military communities worldwide, military children are being recognized this month for their accomplishments and resilience. Dealing with the challenges of growing up in a military family is no small task, so I felt it appropriate to focus my blog this month on them. As the month began and I was thinking about its significance, I wondered if my children were aware this is the Month of the Military Child. Better yet, I was curious to hear their raw and uncensored thoughts about being military children. Sometimes I forget the challenges they face and that day-to-day life is a "Juggling Act" not just for me. Furthermore, which balls I may drop directly affect them. So I decided to try something a little different and interview them about what it's really like to be a military child. Their answers were very different from each other. Keep in mind that my daughter is 17 years old, whereas my son is just 6. Loredo: Did you realize that the month of April is dedicated to you - the military child? Son: No. I have never heard of that before. What are you talking about? Daughter: Yes, but I don't really hear much about it. Loredo: What are the best (and worst) things about being a military child? Son: The best thing is that my parents are cool, and they protect us from the bad guys. Daughter: Some of the best things are that I have gotten to go to so many places and countries. Also I have friends everywhere and have met so many great people. Some of the worst things are that it's really hard to make new friends every time we move; I worry about you when you're deployed; and you travel a lot for work. We don't like when you are away, at least not for long periods of time. Loredo: What do you feel sets you apart, if anything, from kids who are not military children? Daughter: Most of my current friends have grown up in the same place with the same friends. I have lived so many different places, each for only a few years at a time. I think I have learned to be flexible and to get along with all different types of people. Loredo: What sacrifices do military children make that civilian kids don't? Son: What are sacrifices? Daughter: They have to go long periods of time without their parents ... Some only have one parent because their family made the ultimate sacrifice like ours did. Loredo: Do you know what it means to be resilient, and do you think you're more resilient because of growing up in a military family? Daughter: Yes. We are more resilient because we have faced a lot of big events as kids that we had to overcome. I definitely think those things are going to help me as I grow up and face other challenges. Like when I go to college it will be easier for me to meet and make new friends, which is something I'm not really good at, but have been forced to have a lot of practice [at]. Loredo: What differences do you notice, if any, as far as support from the community and at school here compared with when we lived on a military installation? Daughter: It is much different since we don't live on base. When we did, all the kids were sort of in the same boat and understood one another. It's not like that here. Most of the kids at my school are not military. Loredo: Is there a specific event that you remember as being extremely hard to deal with/overcome? Daughter: When you were deployed it was really hard. I don't think there is really a way to overcome it -- you just do. I made sure to keep really busy, so I could keep my mind off of it. Loredo: What has been your biggest challenge growing up in a military family? Son: My Daddy died for our country, and I miss him so, so much. Loredo: Do you think you will ever join the military? Son: Yes, because it's so cool. I want to be like my dad - he was strong and healthy and jumped out of airplanes! Daughter: No. It's not my thing. Loredo: Do you ever wish I wasn't a soldier? Son: No way! Daughter: Yes, because we aren't really normal - we move around so much. I wish you were a stay-at-home mom. Loredo: What are you most thankful for when it comes to being part of a military family? Daughter: I am most thankful for our family's patriotism and willingness to serve our country. All families are not like that, and it makes me proud. After interviewing my kids, I was almost in tears. I am so proud of them. I learned a lot from their answers. I am thankful for the beautiful young people they are growing up to be and am determined not to take for granted what they've endured. Please help me in celebrating all of our military children this month and supporting them in the challenges they face growing up in the military.