The Resource Community for Military Families
The 2020 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates have been released!
The first day the BAH rates are released the online BAH calculator tends to get overwhelmed and crashes. Inquiring minds all want to know, “Did my rate increase?” or “What is the BAH at our next duty station?”
[Read more…] about Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates Released for 2020
Does your child attend school in the U.S. while the rest of the family is stationed overseas? If so, make sure to utilize the annual Dependent Student Travel program!
Choosing to stay behind in the U.S. for high school or college is a difficult decision for many students who are in families serving overseas. While military kids have overcome obstacles of relocation often too many times to count, it is usually as a family unit.
Many students find the transition to college a challenge. Being homesick is not unusual for students just starting their college journey. College is the first time being away from the only home they’ve known for many students.
This transition is increasingly hard for those military kids living on a different continent than their family. For the military dependent student, feelings of homesickness is not necessarily for a location. It is for their family, separated by a permanent overseas assignment.
Thankfully, the Joint Travel Regulations provides an option for our students to come home! Military kids who attend school in the U.S., while the rest of their family is stationed overseas, have a way to travel to family for free each year. The Dependent Student Travel Program allows these students to visit their family overseas (between October 1 and September 30) for FREE.
To be eligible for the Dependent Student Travel Program, your child must meet the following requirements:
Unfortunately your student will not be able to book this travel himself or herself. In order to utilize this benefit, the Dependent Student Travel program requires the military parent arrange the transportation through his or her overseas command.
Be sure to read all of the information about the Dependent Student Travel program, paragraph 050816, in the most recent Joint Travel Regulations (updated on December 1, 2019).
Whether you choose for your student utilizes the program for Christmas break, Spring break or summer vacation, sometimes just knowing they will get to be together with the ones they love is a boost to their spirit!
One of my least favorite parts of my husband’s career is the long amount of time that he is kept away from home. This is especially hard on kids who love routine. The impact of his work demands seem to hit them hardest at bedtime when Dad isn’t home to read them stories and put them to bed.
[Read more…] about Recorded Bedtime Stories to Ease Heartache
As kids get older, it’s important to let them take charge of a few things around the house. Even simple chores early on help kids learn responsibility and appreciate all they have.
While our kids have been doing chores, like feeding the dog or making their bed, since they were toddlers, it was time to have them remember to do their daily tasks without having to be reminded (or nagged tirelessly).
Chore charts can be a perfect way to help kids remember what their responsibilities are and help them stay on track while completing their list of chores.
I’ve come up with a super easy way to create a chore chart that goes any farmhouse style home décor. Joanna Gaines would be so proud! It just takes a few materials (I love a reason for to take a trip to Hobby Lobby) and can be completely customized to your family’s needs. Plus with this free printable you can easily print the chores for your chart on labels.
[Read more…] about Simple DIY Farmhouse Chore Chart + Free Printable
Most people look forward to the holidays with great expectations for family, friends and time to enjoy the seasons. The holidays often mean great food, much needed time off from work and the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones.
While the holidays can be a joyous time, for many, they are also stressful and can cause anxiety. Whether finances, family dynamics or other worries are at play, no one is excited about the added stresses that the holidays can bring.
One of the most common reasons that the holidays become stressful is the expectation placed on families who are sometimes overextended emotionally and financially.
[Read more…] about Reduce Stress This Holiday Season