,Being in the military can often mean that you face a summer of changes. Many move home, school or are starting a long deployment. We are here to help you navigate through these and help to support your little troopers.

Louise, founder of our charity said, “The summer holidays are often associated with big military moves. Time off for the children means that families can move, unpack and get settled before starting a new school. If you are staying put it can mean that you are settled but facing a long deployment. We have so many resources to help your family through anyone of these scenarios. We wanted to put together a summary so you can access everything easily.”

Moving home

Getting the family involved in a move can help them process the change in their life. Some of our teenagers told us in our SQUAD podcast that as children they always wanted to know the plan. They didn’t like it when their parents sprung surprises on them. Here are a few of the resources you will find on our website to help:

• In our Little Troopers Therapy section you will find a therapy video to watch specifically around the subject of moving home/ school. You can find the video here (scroll down the page).
• We have some handy moving labels in our Crafty Little Troopers section, to encourage everyone to get involved in the packing.
• Moving home can be emotional – why not print off our x-ray of feelings picture specifically for moving home. These pictures can help you chat through with your child how they are feeling. Helping them to understand that what they are feeling is ok. 
• Leaving friends can be especially hard. Our Little Troopers Letters pack helps to treasure special friendships. Writing letters is so much fun and everyone loves to receive something in the post! If you are moving in the next four – six weeks you can apply for a pack for your military child.

Moving school

Moving schools can be one of the most frustrating things for our children. While the curriculum is similar across the UK, you may find that your child learns about the Romans three times and never finds out about the Vikings.  You want to ensure that your child keeps learning. There is lots you can do to help your child and school, here are a few resources to help:

• Take a look at our handy moving school checklist. All the questions you need the answers for, in one place.
• Ensure that your new school knows about our Little Trooper at School project.
• We also have an x-ray of feelings picture about starting a new school. Use the activity sheet to talk through your child’s feelings about their new school.
• Our Transition chit can be completed and given to your child’s new teacher to help them in the first few days.
• There are more schools resources in our Parent School information sheets section, just click here.

Facing deployment

In our Little Troopers Treasures section you will find lots of resources to you’re your family through times apart, there are:

• Free downloads including separation diaries, Time difference sheet and our X-Ray of Feelings for parent going away

• Shop items including our Separation pack, Little Troopers medals and certificates
• Book recommendations

At the top of the website page, you will find the therapy video for deployment/ separation. This is one of three therapy videos that we launched last month. If you want to check out the others you can find them on the Therapy page here.

Louise adds, “We hope that some or all of the resources here can help make the move easier. Just remember to be kind to yourself and have a break or a quiet cuppa at some point.”