April is known as the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize students whose parents serve or served in the military. While service members are often honored for their work, their children also make sacrifices. April also includes “Purple Up!” Day on the 15th when students and staff wear purple to show support for military children. This simple act makes them feel recognized. This month honors military children and brings attention to their experiences and the strength they show in everyday life.
While many students don’t have to worry about house instability, military-connected children often live very different lives compared to other students. They are constantly packing up their bags and relocating, sometimes every two to three years according to United Service Organizations. This means they’re attending new schools and leaving friends behind just as they’re beginning to get comfortable. Frequent moves during elementary may not be a big deal, but constantly starting over during middle and high school years makes it more difficult to adjust to new environments.
“There’s nothing in your power that you can do so you eventually learn to deal with it. I obviously hate making friends and leaving but I try to look on the positives, since that’s all I can really do,” junior Janelle Fiamordzi stated, “As someone with social anxiety, moving a lot is like exposure therapy in a way so I’ve gotten used to talking to new people without crippling anxiety.”
Another major challenge is having a parent deployed. Deployments can last for long periods of time, sometimes months or more. During this time, parents may miss important events like birthdays, holidays, sports games, or school activities. This can make children of any age feel neglected no matter how understanding they are of the situation. Not knowing when their parents will return is also a huge stress factor and creates high levels of anxiety.
Some may be adjusting to a new school, others may be dealing with a parent being away. Because of this, having a supportive school environment is important. Shadow Ridge is a Purple Star School, this campus is recognized for supporting military-connected students and their families. This means there are programs and efforts in place to help these students feel welcomed, included, and understood. Military children are just another example of why students should be kind to one another as no one knows what happens behind closed doors.
“The best way to support military children is to be welcoming to new students, even if you’re not sure if they’re a military kid. It doesn’t hurt to be kind, and whoever they are or whatever background they come from will make them feel welcome and make the transition easier,” senior Venice Nevine Velayo stated.
