Just because your family may experience additional challenges while you’re in the Air Force doesn’t mean they’re impossible to overcome. With the right steps, you and your family can jump the hurdle in front of you. Consider some of our tips below to help your Air Force family overcome their challenges:

1. Communicate Openly With Each Other

One of the easiest and most effective ways to solve familiar problems is to talk to each other. You can’t fully understand what’s going on in your family if you’re not talking to each other openly and honestly. Your family members could be dealing with problems or stress you're unaware of if you don’t communicate with them properly.

If you want to work on your communication skills with your family, get everyone together with everyone and open up the floor for your loved ones to discuss how they’re feeling. You should have a family discussion anytime something big happens, such as a deployment, change of duty station, or a big promotion.

Not discussing these changes with your family will only make them feel more isolated from your life and can create more stress if they are unaware of the big changes that will affect their lives. While your job may not allow you to share everything, share what you can so you can work together to come up with a game plan that works for your family and creates the least stress.

2. Look for Support in Your Community

Families in the Air Force will have the opportunity to connect with other Airmen and their families, which can turn into a valuable support network when you face challenges in your life. Other families in the Air Force will be able to relate to the experiences you’re going through and give you advice that’s worked for them. The advice for other Airmen and their families can be particularly helpful if it’s the first time you’re going through something with your family, such as a deployment or change of duty station.

If you’re having trouble finding people to connect with at your duty station, you can always reach out to support groups online. You can use social media or dedicated forums to connect with other families, share your experiences, and seek advice from people who best understand what you’re going through and how to help.

3. Acknowledge the Potential for Change

Change is inevitable when you’re in the Air Force and that means change is inevitable for you and your family. You never know when you might receive orders to move or deploy and these are big changes for your family that are out of your control. It’s important to acknowledge and accept these inevitable changes as they happen so you can stay focused on the things that matter and what you can change.

If you’re struggling with a move or an upcoming deployment, there are resources available to help you manage, whether you’re the Airmen or a family member. If you have children, make sure you’re doing your best to maintain a routine for them during these times since military children often have a difficult time navigating big changes.

4. Consider Family Resiliency Training

It’s normal to struggle with change and you and your family may not have the necessary skills to deal with the stress and challenges that come with Air Force life. The good news is that these skills can be learned and organizations like Families OverComing Under Stress Project (FOCUS) offer resiliency training to help teach military families these skills.

In a program like this, you’ll learn skills like:

●Stress management

●Problem-solving

●Emotional regulation

●Healthy communication

●Goal-setting

When you bring your family together to participate in resiliency training, it will be easier for each of you to deal with the unique challenges of the Air Force lifestyle. Participating in this training also gives you the opportunity to spend time with your loved ones, deepening your bonds and allowing you to work together to achieve self-growth.

5. Remember to Stay Positive

Things can get hard for families in the Air Force, but it’s important not to dwell on the negativity. When times get tough, do your best to remain positive rather than focusing on everything that can go wrong or the negatives. The Air Force offers Airmen and their families a stable career, stable finances, ample resources, and more which are great things to focus on when times get tough.

Remember that being positive applies to the way you treat your loved ones, meaning it’s important to show that you appreciate them rather than criticize them. Being part of an Air Force family isn’t easy and without the right support, it can be even harder. Make an effort to thank your family members for the role they play and the support they give.

If you feel like your stress or your family’s stress levels are getting too high, there are plenty of ways to help everyone decompress. Family picnics, hikes, and other outings give you and your loved ones time to let go of their stress and live in the moment, allowing everyone to focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

6. Don't Be Afraid to Seek Help When You Need It

Even the most resilient of us need help from time to time, and there’s no shame in asking for it. If you or someone in your family feels like they’re overwhelmed by stress or like they can’t effectively manage the stress of the Air Force lifestyle, there are plenty of resources you can use to get help. Most installations have a family support center or community service center where you can get help with crisis intervention, counseling, referals, and more. Looking for professional help is a sign that you’re willing to put in the work to help your family and overcome your challenges, so you shouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty for seeking it out.

7. Make Time to Care for Yourself

It can be easy to let your own needs fall by the wayside when you’re stressed and trying to take care of your family or keep up with your responsibilities at work. Make time to check in with yourself and ensure your needs are being met. Are you getting enough sleep and eating healthy? Have you been exercising? You should also carve out some time for your hobbies or activities you enjoy, which is essential in reducing stress. The better you feel, the easier it will be to handle the challenges that come with the Air Force lifestyle and the more you will be able to help your family.

Let AUSI Support You During Your Air Force Career

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