People always praised soldiers. It has been that way since the first weapons and armors were made. Even these days, people still admire everyone who joins the military. They see a man in uniform dating a young and beautiful woman and they say “good for him, he deserves a perfect wife who will wait for him to return from the battlefield”.
Sadly, not many people consider the struggles a soldier’s wife is facing on a daily basis. These strong and independent women are the true unsung heroes and that’s why we decide to give you a little insight into the life of a soldier’s spouse. That said, here are the 5 challenges only a military wife would understand.
Moving to a Different Town/Country Every Year
Despite the fact that their husbands have respected and well-paid jobs, military wives usually can’t settle down in one town and build their life there. The main reason for this is the nature of their partner’s job. Being a soldier means that these fellas have to listen to their superior generals and move to a different city or sometimes a different country if the job requires that from them. These moves are pretty difficult and stressful for these brave women who have to start a new job and get used to a new home every time they move to another town. Living this way and balancing a career, private life, and a family is not simple, but unfortunately, not a lot of people give these gals enough credit.
Read: Adapting to a New School: Tips for Military Families
Having to Be Both Mother and a Father Figure
Parenting is one of the most complicated tasks out there, especially when a person is raising their kids without the help of their spouse. As you know, kids simply need both parental figures in order to grow up the right way. However, in the case of military wives, they have to raise their kids on their own, because their husbands are away on various missions most of the time. Having to be both mother and a father figure to the kids is not something every woman is able to do, but most of these women have no choice.
Not Having Their Husband Home for Special Dates
Most families are used to celebrating birthdays and graduations together, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case when it comes to these families. Considering the fact that soldiers are away from their homes most of the time, they tend to miss out on those important dates and celebrations. That’s why their women have to organize everything on their own and explain to their kids why their father is not with them on their special day. This is something military wives hate, but they learned how to live with it.
Read more: The True Face of Military Marriage
Having to Leave Old Friends and Make New Ones
As we said earlier, these women have to move and find a new home every time their husband’s job requires it. Not only is this bad for their career, but it’s also killing their social life. The fact that they have to move every few months or years means that these ladies have to leave their dear friends behind and make new ones, which is always difficult. This is why military wives usually don’t have many close friends.
Worrying about Their Husband Every Time He Doesn’t Call or Text for a Couple of Days
Men in the military are risking their lives for their country every day and, naturally, when they are on a mission, their wives are usually sitting by their phones waiting for that “I’m ok” text message or a phone call. Sometimes, they have to wait for a few days or weeks for that call, and that is, without a doubt, the hardest part of being a military wife.