Dandelion Children

April is National Military Child Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the sacrifices made by more than 1.5 million children whose parents serve in the military. The children of military families are special. Their unique identity and experiences make them different from other children. This month, we honor and thank these amazing kids who sacrificed so much for our country.

The military child is more than just a statistic; they play an important role in the armed forces community. Military kids are asked to "serve" and sacrifice even though they didn't enlist. Although often overlooked, military children deserve recognition for all they do.

Military kids don't get to choose where they live or go to school; they become the "new kid" in school every few years as their parents move from base to base or country to country. They may have no friends or have difficulty making friends because of their unique situation. It's hard for them to feel like they belong somewhere when their home constantly changes.

They may witness the death of a loved one or experience other traumas during their childhood that most adults never have to face. While most children look forward to summer break, military kids know that means saying goodbye to more friends, as most military families move during the summer.

Welcoming home Daddy after his deployment.

The military child "loans" her mom or dad to the United States for deployments that usually last more than six months. While Mom or Dad is gone, they don't see him regularly as other kids do with their parents. They don't get to spend time with him at school events or on weekends — no goodnight kisses, no hugs, no cheering on at games. Instead, he's thousands of miles away, living in barracks or on a ship with other service members and working long hours every day in dangerous situations where anything could happen at any moment.

While our military children make a lot of sacrifices, they also experience the world in a way most people don't get to.

My 12-year-old twins have moved seven times and lived in four different countries. They've traveled to over twenty countries and have experienced life on three continents. They've learned how to be curious and embrace new cultures. They've learned to adapt quickly to change at a young age, which will serve them well later in life.

Did you know that the dandelion is the flower of the military child? Why? Dandelions are the flower of military children because their seeds are blown far and wide by the wind, but they will always plant roots and blossom where ever it lands. Dandelions are resilient plants that grow in any environment.

In honor of my twin 12 yr old dandelion children, I'm offering a 12% discount off my new course Open Doors Masterclass during April. It's perfect for college students, recent grads, or young professionals. Use MilitaryChild as the promotion code to receive your 12% discount.

This promotion isn't just for military children but to honor them. So please share this blog with your friends and family!