When my kids were little, I had no access to grocery pickup or delivery. I think it may have existed at a specialty grocery store but not something I could use regularly, especially when we were stationed in Germany during a deployment. That meant that if I needed groceries when my husband was deployed, I had to take my kids with me.
As they got a little older I could go when at least one of them was in school or even trade off babysitting with a friend. But there will still be times when I did have to take them to the grocery store with me and that was never easy.
These days we have access to so much more. Grocery delivery and pickup are available almost anywhere, even the Commissary. If I wanted to, I could Door Dash a Frappuccino and something from Walgreens. What a time to be alive!
The truth is, things like grocery delivery can make life a lot easier for us during a deployment. Sometimes we might just need a reminder to help us out. Here are 9 tips that will make your life easier during a deployment.
Use grocery delivery
Using grocery delivery or pickup will save you some time. You won’t have to take your kids with you to the grocery store, and ordering online can save you money at the grocery store. You also won’t end up with an extra bag of Oreos in your cart.
Accept help
I know, accepting help is a hard thing to do. But some people in our lives do want to help. If someone offers to help, accept it. You will be glad you did. Even if it is something small.
Simplify dinner
Maybe simplifying dinner means making the same 5 meals every week. Maybe you want to sign up for a meal service, (wait for good deals), or maybe you will just plan for cereal for dinner once a week. Do whatever you can, based on your love or hate of being in the kitchen, to simply your meals.
Battle buddies
Find friends you can vent to, hang with, and go through the deployment with. Make memories and help each other out. Going through a deployment with other people by your side,(even virtually), makes everything a lot easier.
Get into reading
There is nothing better than a book series that will draw you in and that you won’t want to put down. Reading can be an escape and a great way to wind down after a stressful day. Whether you are a big reader or never felt like you had the time, pick up a book this deployment, and get lost in another world.
Hire someone if you can
This will depend on each person and your own family’s situation, but if you can, hire someone to help. You can hire someone to help with cleaning, mowing the lawn, babysitting, or any other task you don’t want to do yourself. If your budget allows, doing so can make your life a little easier.
Let go of the stupid stuff
There is a lot of stupid stuff in our lives, and we need to let go of it, especially during a deployment. Simplify your routine, and stay away from the drama. Get rid of some of the stress that you really don’t have to deal with. Don’t say yes to everything. Know your limits. That will make life much easier for yourself during a deployment.
Find a focus
What will your focus be during this deployment? Will you be focused on your job? Will you go back to school? Or maybe you want to learn some new skills? Create a deployment bucket list of things you want to focus on. Take the time that your spouse is away to get things done.
Remember self-care
Taking care of yourself is an important part of getting through a deployment. Yes, even if you have small children. Figure out what you can do to take time for self-care. It is a must!
What types of things make your life easier during a deployment?
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