Making it in the MilLife

Have you ever moved to a new duty station and had to go through the process of trying to find a new, reliable babysitter? It can take weeks and be a frustrating process.

Returning to work? Looking for a highly qualified and experienced nanny that can access the installation? It can be an overwhelming.

Going on vacation? Would prefer to leave Fido in the comfort of your home?  It can be challenging to find a dependable pet sitter.

These are few examples of how Sittercity can help.

Sittercity is the nation’s largest online source for local in home caregivers including babysitters, nannies, senior caregivers, pet sitters, housekeepers and tutors, and more with more than two million in-home caregivers across the nation.

Since 2009, the Department of Defense has funded Sittercity memberships for Army, Marine, Navy, and Air Force Families, including active duty, Reserve and Guard.

According to the Department of Defense, these paid memberships allow military families entry to a custom military portal where they can match up caregivers to their situation; gain instant access to caregiver profiles that include background checks, references and reviews; and find military-certified care providers as well as caregivers who are military-subsidized and authorized access to a military installation.

The membership is free. Servicemember and their families are responsible for the hiring and payment of the caregiver.

According to officials at Sittercity,  this program has helped more than 55,000 military families find the caregivers they need to meet their needs.

Don’t go it alone if you are in need of an in home caregiver. Take advantage of this benefit. You can activate your membership by going to http://www.sittercity.com/dod.

Pregnancy is a wonderful, albeit stressful, time for any woman. Compounded with the possibility, or reality, of a spouse on deployment only intensifies the experience. That’s where a strong and supportive community can make a tremendous difference.

While in San Diego for the MOAA Symposium, I was invited to attend a baby shower honoring local military spouses who are mothers-to-be or had recently given birth.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, 50 Spouses from across Southern California gathered for food, fellowship, and fun. At the end of the day they left with big beautiful baskets of gifts, an extensive stack of resource information, and perhaps a new friend or two.

It takes a supportive community to make such an event happen and I would like you to meet the quiet, unsung heroes that make a difference in the lives of military families.

Meet Reyna.

Reyna was the event organizer. A Marine spouse of 27 years, Reyna knows firsthand the importance of a supportive community having experienced 15 deployments. In response to the need for more military support in the community, she founded a local military ministry group at her church.

Meet Anita.

Anita was at the shower representing Soldier’s Angels. Soldiers Angels donated all the wonderful laundry baskets overflowing with baby gifts.

Melissa, a Navy veteran and Marine spouse, and Anita

Anita has no personal connection to the military, yet she tends to these mom’s- to-be as if they were her own children. She dedicates a tremendous amount of time to Soldier’s Angels in attending baby showers and homecomings. She can be found once at month at the naval hospital where she joins our wounded warriors for a meal which she helped prepare.

Meet Judy.

Judy, founder of Supporting our Soldiers

Judy, founder of Supporting Our Soldiers, was responsible for all the “Hero Baby” buckets–all made by hand, and paid for it all out of her own pocket. With no personal connection to the military Judy wants to give back to those that give so much. The personal, heartfelt note she included with each bucket moved many of the young moms to tears.

A heartfelt note of thanks moves a mom-to-be to tears

Meet Janis.

Amazing women quietly serving our military community.

Melissa, one of the mom’s to be, and a Marine spouse and Navy Veteran, said it best, “You are truly angels.”

Unsung heroes, supporting our community.

From this Marine Spouse, I offer a heartfelt thank-you  for honoring, supporting, and caring for our military community.