Military Families Support Group
Today's military family faces a lifestyle that is comprised of frequent deployments, which results in increased family separations. This often proves to be a stressful challenge for military families. This community is dedicated to the families that are dealing with the unique challenges of distance and military-related stress.
Hii, so when I was around 7 years old my dad left for the army. He was stationed in Iraq and I wasn't able to see him for a year or two.
When he came back home we found out that he was diagnosed with PTSD. He had recently gotten remarried also and moved around a lot so I wasn't able to see him for a good portion of my life. After a while, my dad was going to be moved to an army base in France but he left the army due to medical issues. But while he was gone, we'd grown apart.
I cant even have a conversation with my father because it's so awkward. My dad was gone so long he basically forgot everything about me, at times he'd even forget my age. I wish I was close to him but I don't know how to be. After he left the army he moved to a completely different state and I live with him during the summer (not this year) and during the school year he doesn't really call. I'm friends with him on Facebook but I just wish we were closer
I wanted to first say that it takes courage to voice what you did in this post! I'm sure it's a very difficult situation for you to be in where you are trying to find balance between finding that comfort you seek in your father and also coping with the hurt you feel from his absence. I wonder what it would be like for you to reach out to your father and voice what you have been feeling...maybe even have a conversation in-person with him about it. From my experience, it usually can feel very freeing to at least share our emotions with those who we feel called to share them with. I think we often seek these types of situations wanting solutions for rectifying the current situation, but maybe even just saying to your dad "I feel awkward when we have conversations because....I wish that we were closer because...It was really difficult for me while you were away and when you came back because...". In that way, you're not seeking a solution from your dad to "fix" the relationship; you're opening the floor for both of you to share your mind.
I'll be sending positive thoughts your way during this tough time!
Emily