Deployments bring unique challenges for military families—long absences, shifting routines, and the ache of missing everyday moments. But with a little creativity and planning, families can nurture resilience, maintain strong bonds, and remind each other that they’re always a team—even when apart.

Here are 11 ways to keep connected when a parent is deployed.

Ways to stay connected when a parent is deployed

1. Keep rituals alive. Family rituals anchor children during uncertain times. They provide comfort and stability. Whether it’s Friday movie nights, bedtime stories, or making Sunday breakfasts together, these familiar routines remind children that some things never change, even when a parent is far away. 
2. Create a paper chain countdown. To help children understand the passage of time, try using a visual tool, such as a paper chain countdown. Allow your child to remove a link each day and discuss how the chain is getting shorter. This countdown provides a sense of connection and tangible information about what’s happening, which can help soothe a young child. 
3. Celebrate milestones together. Special occasions matter. Holidays, birthdays, and school achievements are opportunities to keep your family connection. Find simple, creative ways to include the deployed parent: record a birthday song, send a video of the celebration, or schedule a special call if possible. Glue a photo of the deployed parent’s face to a popsicle stick so children can bring their “flat” deployed parent with them. These gestures remind your child that their parents are still part of the big moments. 
4. Share everyday life with photos and videos.  Capture everyday moments like school projects, family dinners, or silly moments and send them to the deployed parent. These glimpses of home help your loved one feel included and give children a way to share their world, strengthening the bond no matter how far apart.
5. Send letters and care packages. Handwritten notes and care packages may seem simple, but they hold incredible emotional weight. Encourage your child to draw pictures or write messages for the deployed parent—these keepsakes become treasured reminders of home. When letters come back, your child gains a physical connection they can hold for comfort and reassurance.
6. Focus on resilience. Deployment is challenging, but it is also a chance to build resilience. Highlight your family’s adaptability and remind your child that these experiences are shaping them in powerful and positive ways. Let go of things that are not perfect. For example, if you burn what you were cooking, pancakes for dinner are OK. And remember to celebrate small achievements, such as getting everyone out the door on time in the morning.
7. Schedule regular video calls. If possible, set up a consistent time for video chats. Even brief check-ins help maintain a sense of routine and closeness. Use technology to read bedtime stories, help with homework, or just say goodnight.
8. Create a Shared Journal. Mail a notebook back and forth or use a digital journal. Family members can write messages, draw pictures, or share thoughts and stories, creating a tangible connection over time.
9. Build a “Memory Box”. Encourage children to collect mementos—photos, ticket stubs, drawings—to share with their deployed parent upon return. This gives kids something to look forward to and helps the parent catch up on missed moments.
10. Connect with your child’s teacher. Your child’s educators are available to help. If they don’t know your family has a deployed parent, then they cannot support you.
11. Connect with other military families. Lean on your military community. Sharing experiences, tips, and support with other military families can help everyone feel less alone and offer new ideas for staying connected.

Staying connected during deployment isn’t about grand gestures. What matters most are the small, consistent efforts: every photo, letter, video call, and shared moment builds a bridge that distance cannot break.