Guard absence impacts families

Standard Democrat

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Four months into the deployment of the 1140th Engineer Battalion, family members continue to adjust to life without their loved ones.

As parents adapt to the dual responsibilities of both mom and dad, sometimes it's the children who are unintentionally taking a backseat in the transition.

"Our children are kind of the ones left out in all this because you're dealing with the emotions and separation and you might not see how much that affects the kids," Mike McGuire told members of Charlie Company's Family Readiness Group at a meeting recently.

As state family program coordinator, McGuire visits with families of military servicemen and servicewomen throughout the state. He provides them with resources and answers any questions they may have.

Military children are going through a lot, and they're experiencing a lot of things, McGuire said. Warning signs parents should be aware of include a child's grades suddenly plummeting or if they become withdrawn or start acting out.

"Talk to their school counselor," McGuire recommended. "Let them know there is a change in the household and there's a lot of stress right now. Don't be afraid to accept help."

Kim Brooks, a counselor at Southeast Elementary in Sikeston, has dealt with a couple of students whose parents are currently serving in Iraq. "I think that kids see their moms or dads are stressed with an extra workload on them, and I think in some cases, older kids probably feel like they have to fill the void," Brooks noted.

And a parent's deployment can definitely affect a child's concentration and they may not be able to perform as well in school, Brooks agreed.

"Just talking about it eases their minds a little bit," Brooks said. "Let the child communicate and talk openly about what's going on in the news and do not try to hide anything."

Charlie Company's Family Readiness Group conducts monthly support group meetings. For more information about family assistance, visit moguard.com or to access Charlie Company's Web site, visit charlie1140th.com.