Children of Military Families

Currently, there are more than two million children of military families in the United States. In this documentary, 11 kids talk about what it's like when a parent is away on active duty. The interviewees describe their feelings of being “stunned” and “devastated,” even when their parents downplay the length of a deployment or try to protect them from knowing too much about the potential dangers. The kids feel responsible for younger siblings and even the parent who remains at home, and address the sense of loneliness that comes from being the only child in class or the neighborhood whose parent is on active duty. One boy says he hates when people ask him if his dad ever shot someone; a girl says she didn't know what to say to her father when he returned home. The kids here offer advice to other military kids: have faith that your parent will return safely, take a lot of pictures before they go, find constructive outlets for your anger, it's okay to cry, and—heartbreakingly—don't become too attached to your school or friends. To parents they say: spend more time with your kids before you leave, tell them you're thinking of them, and find ways for your kids to socialize, especially with other children of military families. In other segments the children also touch on things that help them cope, and what they would change if they had a magic wand. The kids are generally soft-spoken; several appear pensive and shy. But they don't want pity, just more understanding. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)