Tag Archives: military families

Lest We Forget: U.S. Troops and Families were Pioneers of International Adoption

Posted on by

As we remember our servicemen and women, past and present, on this Memorial Day, it is worth noting how much the landscape of adoption in America was changed by servicemen and women. U.S. soldiers fighting in Europe, participating in the post-war occupations of Germany and Japan, and later serving in Korea, Vietnam and other Asian countries helped to familiarize their families back home with the needs of the many orphans they encountered. Although some of the armed services discouraged their personnel from adopting during their service, there are several stories about units informally taking on the cause of one or … Continue reading →

Elmo Lends A Hand To Help Military Families

At first glance it looks like your typical Sesame Street episode. Elmo, Rosita, Zoe… the gang’s all there, but the topic covered on Sesame Workshop’s latest DVD strays from ones that are covered on traditional shows. The characters are not learning their ABCs and 123s, rather the furry friends are learning how to get in touch with their feelings. It sounds great, but don’t look for the new DVD at your local toy store. Sesame Workshop is not mass marketing this production; rather it will be distributed exclusively to military families. That’s because the episode featuring Elmo and Rosita is … Continue reading →

Things to Do with Expired Coupons

Coupons are a great way to save money on your grocery bill and contribute to your frugal lifestyle. But one issue is all of those expired coupons that you are left with. Generally, I find that I have to purge expired coupons about every two, sometimes three months. My coupons are organized, so it is just a matter of tossing a file folder full. But, there has got to be a better use for them instead of the garbage or recycling pail, right? Of course! Probably the best use for expired coupons is to donate them to military families. Military … Continue reading →

Hug-A-Hero Doll

Could it be the next hot, hot toy? Could it be destined for the annals of popular culture? I’m no Merlin, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the “Hug-A-Hero” doll experience a surge in popularity in the coming months. If you have a loved one in the military you may have heard of these unique dolls. After all, they were the brainchild of a military wife who had three children at home missing their father who was deployed a half a world away. Tricia Dyal says desperate times called for desperate measures. Two weeks after her husband was sent … Continue reading →

Travel Deals For Military Families

Memorial Day may still be a few weeks away, but it’s never too early to get started planning your next family vacation. Given that Hawaii is home to one of the heaviest concentrations of military forces on this planet, it is no surprise that establishments there offer deeply discounted travel deals to those currently serving (or retired) from the military. Here are just a few special “Military Appreciation” promotions being offered in the islands to salute the men and women of the U.S. armed forces. As a way of saying thank you to our troops, Castle Resorts & Hotels Castle … Continue reading →

Author Update — Tamra Norton

I recently interviewed author Tamra Norton about her ground-breaking book, “Make Me a Memory.” In commemoration of Veteran’s Day, she is giving Families.com another exclusive interview to discuss the sequel, entitled “Make Me a Home.” A synopsis of the book reads: For the past eleven months, Allie has lived in Edna, Idaho—an okay place if you don’t mind living friendless and fatherless in Hicksville, USA. But it isn’t “home.” And how could it be with her dad in Iraq? Then Ivy Peterson moves to town and Allie finally finds the friendship and understanding she has desperately wanted. Edna is even … Continue reading →

Helping Military Children Deal with Deployment

Posted on by

Last week I spoke of a program called Operation Iraqi Children that provides children in war torn Iraq with school supplies and other necessities. In this post I’d like to discuss a program for children at home. Military children have unique obstacles to overcome that their non-military friends, family or teachers may not fully understand. When their military parent is home chances are their life is not unlike most other children’s. They go to school, play with their friends and the troubles of the world aren’t their concern—as it should be. This changes, though, when a parent is sent overseas … Continue reading →