If you’re a military family or affiliated with the military in any way, then you know how hard it is to stay connected. Service members are often called away at a moment’s notice and when they are home, long work weeks take time away from the family. While they are serving, military spouses are often left to connect the dots and bridge the family gap. We are parents, we cook, clean, work and keep our service members in order. It’s tough work for the entire family. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important than staying connected as a family especially in the military. Moving every 2 or 3 years often means that the only people you have as a support system is right at home with you. So, here are 5 ways to stay connected as a military family. Plus, learn about Verizon Wireless Military Discounts.

This post is sponsored by Verizon as a part of the #VZMilitaryMoms campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Travel As A Family

As a family, we spend a lot of time apart because of the Army. That’s why we travel together. Traveling frequently has allowed us to reclaim our time. We bond, we laugh, we experience life and see amazing places together. Our most amazing times as a family have been through the trips we’ve taken. This is how we choose to connect.

While I know that most military families lack time to just get up and travel the world, remember that travel doesn’t have to mean an extravagant experience. Sometimes, it means loading the car up to visit the next city over or taking a short road trip for the weekend. It doesn’t matter where you go, all that matters is disconnecting from work as best you can and really being present in your family and with your children if you have any. These make for the best memories.

Visit our family travel section to learn more about how to explore as a family with tips, tricks and ideas. 

Dedicate A Game Night

Nothing beats ordering in pizza and having an old fashion game night. Not only can games be fun but they also encourage team building skills and communication. What better way to connect with one another than relying on each other to win the game. Game night is such a simple and cheap fix to reuniting the family.  Before you go out and purchase a ton of games, make use of the free resources. Some games can be printed offline and other times you can ask your local ACS, MWR or USO to see if they have game items to lend to families. Sometimes going back to the basics wins.

Make Use of Your Local Events

Speaking of MWR, ACS and USOs, when is the last time you attended an event? These entities were put on military installations to assist families in boosting morale and hosting fun events to reconnect families. Always be sure to check your installation calendar to see what free and amazing events are coming up on your installation. If you don’t live near an installation, check with your local city event calendar. Whatever you do, just get out and make the best of the family time that you have no matter how long or short that may be.

You may be interested in reading “How to Fall In Love With Your New Duty Station“

Engage in Conversations During Dinner

One of the most harmful things in a family is failed communication and lack of trust. This happens when families don’t simply talk to each other and make home a safe space for expression. Engaging in conversations during dinner may seem simple enough but it can be the simple thing that helps connect a family. This is especially important if you have children. So, put the electronics down and talk it out. Ask questions about each other’s day, make it mandatory that each member of the family bring one interesting fact to dinner, discuss feeling especially when Military life gets hard and remember to have a good genuine time. Your family will appreciate it.

Use Technology When the Service Member is Away

Staying connected as a military family is never more important than when the service member is away. Keeping your family bond can seem impossible from thousands of miles away. Luckily, deployment looks nothing like it did a few years ago. With technology, service members and their families are one step closer to being together and communicating with one another. There are so many amazing apps to download like United through reading for story time, what’s app where service members can sometimes text back loved ones back home and the list is truly endless. Technology truly plays a role in the military community and we are so grateful to have these advances.

Verizon Wireless Military Discount

Verizon’s Thank You To All Who Serve

Speaking of technology and staying connected, Verizon recognizes the service and sacrifice of our service members and their families. They know how important is it for Military families to stay connected with one another and as a thank you for your service, they have put together initiatives to help families stay connected. #VZMilitarymoms recently gave away 15 $1000 gift cards for a tech makeover in honor of Military moms during the month of May.

Verizon also offers an amazing military discounts on cellular service for Verizon customers. The aim is to thank our nation’s military and their families by giving Military families $100 per line. Veterans get Go Unlimited for as low as $30 a line with 4 lines when you enroll in autopay. Plus, service members are eligible for additional discounts on tech and accessories. To learn more about these initiatives and Verizon’s Thank you to all who serve , visit https://www.verizonwireless.com/military

For more information on military discounts, click HERE!