Though military children may face more difficulties than their peers, they also have opportunities that other children their age may not. Military children are exposed to a different lifestyle than others and learn important life lessons at a young age. Take a look at some of the qualities military children glean from their experiences.
1. Cultural awareness
Some children of servicemembers have the opportunity to spend chunks of their lives in foreign countries where their parents are stationed. This time abroad can introduce military children to cultures different from their own. It can also be a chance for them to learn different languages. Later in life, military children who have been exposed to a variety of cultures and languages may have greater cultural sensitivity and global understanding.
2. Adaptability
The unpredictability of military life means that military children have to learn to adapt quickly. This can mean being prepared to change schools, move cities or countries, or say goodbye to a parent as he or she is deployed. Children of servicemembers will have excellent adaptation skills later in life.
3. Easily make friends
Children of servicemembers who get transferred frequently must get used to saying farewell to old friends. While they leave many playmates behind, military children often learn how to make friends quickly in a new environment. This can lead them to develop excellent conversation skills and a charismatic disposition. The ability to be amicable and approachable in unfamiliar environments will be useful in their future careers.
4. Self-reliance
When a servicemember is deployed, his or her children often have to assume part of the responsibility and help the remaining parent with housework and other things. Military children learn that something will not get done unless they take the initiative to do it. They also grow up around some of the best role models and may pick up on some of the self-motivating qualities that drive soldiers to serve.
5. Respect
If military children learn nothing else, they will learn respect. It may come in the form of deeply ingrained patriotism or from being made to keep their rooms immaculate. Wherever they pick up on respect, it will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Military children understand hierarchy and know that to move up you must put in the effort.
So, while children of servicemembers may have a more difficult and unconventional childhood compared to their peers, the skills they learn far outweigh the inconveniences.