As a veteran and wife of a soldier, I'm well acquainted with the role of the military and all that is sacrificed by our soldiers. It is so intertwined with my everyday life that I often forget that my kids have a different perspective on the military. To them perhaps, the military is a place their parents leave them for. The military is a people that makes their parents wear the same clothes every day. To them, the military is a job that keeps their parents from early in the morning until late in the evening and sometimes keeps their parents for days, months, or years. Do they understand what is happening? Are they learning to hate the military, or to appreciate it?
We must teach our children the significance of supporting our active-duty service members and honoring those who have fallen. We must teach them the roles that are played and how they affect them both personally and on a global scale. It is our job as parents to teach these things to our kids. In this post, we will talk about what that looks like and how we can implement it.
Explaining Military Service to Children
Most of our older kids are able to read about the military and watch the news to see how the world is impacted by it. However, our younger kids need some help interpreting the military. Using age-appropriate words and simple language will help them understand things a little better. If you are not currently in the military, then make sure to use some relatable examples when introducing these concepts to your children. Here are a few ideas and tips to help teach your children about military service.
- Superhero Analogy: Compare military service members to superheroes who protect and help others. Explain that just like superheroes, there are real-life heroes who wear uniforms and work hard to keep everyone safe. There are some great Barbies that can help role play different types of heroes. Read my article “Barbies For Every Child.”
- Storybooks: Utilize age-appropriate storybooks that talk about military service in simple terms. Look for picture books that showcase military heroes or families experiencing military life, making it relatable for young children.
- Supportive Language: Use positive and supportive language when discussing military service. Emphasize the importance of service and sacrifice while reinforcing that these actions are acts of kindness and bravery.
Introducing the Concept of Sacrifice
Sacrifice might make you a little squirmy as we often equate sacrifice with death. However, sacrifice is SO important when teaching our kids about the military. It helps them learn why we thank soldiers and why we are grateful for their service. When teaching sacrifice to our kids, it doesn't have to be centered around death. Dying is not the only way our soldiers sacrifice for us, although it is the largest way they do.
Here is a simple way of explaining sacrifice to your young kids.
“Sacrifice is when someone gives up something they care about or love very much to help or protect others. It's like sharing your favorite toy with a friend to make them happy or being brave and strong for the safety of your family and friends. Sacrifice shows how much someone cares and is willing to do something special for others, even if it's not easy for them.”
After sharing the definition, read some stories about ways people sacrifice. There are so many historical and current examples of sacrifice that can be shared. Get these books for your kids to help explain this concept better.
Honoring Fallen Heroes
Now, that we've explained sacrifice, we can talk about the ultimate way service members sacrifice and how we honor them. One of the best times to do this is around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. It's not just a day they get out of school. It has a significance that shouldn't be ignored.
Observing these holidays allows us to express our gratitude, pay our respects, and show support to the families who have lost their loved ones in service to the country and those who no longer serve. It serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by these heroes and the profound impact of their service on the nation. Some children's books that might help explain these holidays are called The Wall by Eve Bunting and Otto's Tales: Today is Veterans Day!
Additionally, visiting memorials and cemeteries with your children can make things more real to them. You can even make some crafts or buy some American flags to place at the memorials. Here are some sites that offer Memorial Day and Veterans Day craft ideas.
Supporting Active-Duty Service Members
We've talked about sacrifice and our fallen service members, so what can we do to support the service members who are currently working for us? Something that the whole family can do together is make care packages and letters for service members. When stationed in Korea, receiving care packages from people stateside was one of the coolest things I ever received. I LOVED how they packed each item with love and a handwritten note. Here is a list of items you could include in a care package.
- Snacks and Treats: Beef jerky, nuts, trail mix, granola bars, cookies, candies, and gum.
- Instant Coffee/Tea: Individual packs for a quick caffeine fix.
- Personal Hygiene Products: Travel-sized toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, wet wipes.
- Entertainment: Books, magazines, puzzle books, playing cards, small games.
- Letters and Cards: Handwritten messages from family and friends.
- Photos: Personal pictures of loved ones and pets.
- Socks and Underwear: Fresh pairs for hygiene.
- Moisturizers and Lip Balm: Travel-sized for skin care.
- Small First Aid Kit: Band-aids, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes.
- Tech Accessories: Portable chargers, USB drives, earphones.
- Handwritten Notes: Uplifting and encouraging messages.
- Personal Items: Small trinkets or keychains.
- Seasonal Items: Sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, gloves.
- Specialty Items: Hobbies or sports-related items based on interest.
If making the packages yourself is a bit daunting, you can buy pre-made ones on
Organization that send packages to troopsAdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort
Comfort for America's Uniformed Services
Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc.
Project Thank You
Silver Star Families of America
Conclusion
Teaching kids about military service and sacrifice is essential for instilling empathy and gratitude for our heroes. As parents, we can embrace creative and age-appropriate methods to make the concept relatable. Such teachings positively impact children's character, fostering compassion, and appreciation for service members' sacrifices, ensuring the legacy of our heroes endures in the hearts of future generations. Let's inspire our children with stories of bravery and selflessness, building a generation that proudly supports and honors those who protect our freedoms.
If you are interested in homeschooling your child, check out my How to Homeschool series!
I would love to include you in my prayers as we both pray these things for our children. Feel free to email me and let me know how your journey is going.
