“A military family should develop a plan for dealing with deployments. This gives children a sense of stability during the upheaval of multi-transitions. They will know what to expect each time a separation occurs and that their parents are working together in spite of being physically apart.”

“The proof that any model of parenting is effective is not how the parents and children get along. It isn’t even how well they treat and respect each other after they are all grown up. Even nonreligious families can accomplish this. The real test of a parenting model is how well-equipped the children are to move into adulthood as vital members of the human race.”

“The battle for our children’s lives is waged out on our knees. When we don’t pray, it’s like sitting on the sidelines watching our children in a war zone getting shot at from every angle. When we do pray, we’re in the battle alongside them, appropriating God’s power on their behalf.”

“There is a cause and effect between encouragement and confidence. Kids who hear well-timed and well-placed affirmation from their parents are more easily convinced of the truth the Bible says about their intrinsic worth.”

“Being a long-distance parent requires hard work and a steady commitment. The more you let your child know you are thinking about him, the more connected you will both feel.”

“The general quality of the home atmosphere and the family parent-child relationship before deployment impacts your parent-child relationship during and after deployment. Securely attached children are more resilient and can receive love from caring, substitute caregivers more securely and readily than children who did not have the wonderful benefit of your consistent, loving parenting.”

“How counter-cultural would it be to have children who look at their circumstances of deployment and understand that God has a purpose specifically designed for them through this experience? He has something to teach them of His character—something that will set them apart from the rest of the world, something that will defeat bitterness and resentment.”