Disclosure: This is a product compensated post via AT&T. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I personally have always down played my role as a military spouse. I mean I haven’t went to war, I have never had to leave my family for extended periods of time, or deal with the mental and physical stress that the military can sometimes place on our soldiers.
However , I have learned that although military spouses never serve in combat we serve in a different capacity. We serve on the home front by taking care of the family, household duties and keeping things together to protect the morale of our soldiers.
Just like our military personnel service members don’t necessarily expect thanks neither do our military spouses but a show of appreciation is always welcome. Below are 5 easy ways to say Thank You in honor of “Military Spouse Appreciation Day”.
Lend a Listening Ear
Many military spouses put on the emotional strong armor. Some of us hold things in order to make it seem like we got it all under control. The truth is sometimes we need someone to talk to and lending a simple listening ear is one of the best gifts and thank you’s you can give.
A Day To Herself
Being a mother or father doesn’t make anyone more special than the other , but being a mom (which has challenges of it’s own) and dealing with the stress of a deployment can be tough. A great way of saying Thank You is offering a mil spouse a few hours of babysitting time . Everyone needs some alone time just to breathe or get a cup of coffee.
A Special Gift
Who doesn’t like gifts? Say thank you by creating a small gift basket full of a mil spouse’s favorite goodies or a bottle of her favorite wine and some spa essentials.
Send Something Handwritten
In an age of fast moving technology we sometimes get caught up in quick ways of communicating like Facebook messages and email. Try sending a nice card or a special letter written on some fun stationary. There is nothing like snail mail and something you can actually have as a keepsake.
Say Thank You
At the end of the day a simple Thank You is worth a thousand words. It is nice to just hear it sometimes.
Check out some of the great things AT&T is doing for military personnel here.
Giveaway
AT&T is saying THANK YOU to military spouses by allowing me to give this really fun AT&T gift basket away that includes…A MINI IPAD plus all the cool gear in the image above! Must be 18+ years of age or older. Giveaway open to USA and APO/FPO.
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Krystel is the mom of two and an Army Wife. In addition to Army Wife 101 she is the Co-Founder of SoFluential.com a digital media agency that connects brands with the military market.
She has appeared on MSNBC ,FOX LA and formerly was a weekly contributor to HLN's "Raising America". She has written for various outlets including Sheknows and Lifetime and is a big fan of cupcakes and french fries. 167 Comments on 5 Ways To Show Your Appreciation For A Military Spouse + AT&T Ipad Mini Gift Basket Giveaway
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These are great tips – I love the idea of offering babysitting. For someone who needs “down time”, that would be like giving me a million dollars. :)
I would love the babysitting. I stay home with our son now and would love to have some time alone…even if that is just going to the grocery store alone. I hate asking because I feel like a bad mom, but some time alone would be amazing!!
I think the babysitting idea is great, and not just during deployments. It’s important to have alone time with your spouse. With all the stress that comes along with being a part of the military family it’s nice to have someone who will watch your kids so you and your spouse can enjoy each other without interruptions.
Thank you for the chance to win!
Babysitting, taking me out to a kids free dinner, helping me with my laundry (even if it’s only to have some one to talk to while I fold socks) are a few that come to mind. It’s nice to be able to just talk to someone who isn’t under the age of 8 is always appreciated.
We can help by offering to bring by a dinner, watch kids, remembering their birthday and bringing flowers, etc. I was a military wife and have family that are military wives. It’s just nice to have a good support system!
You can thank a military spouse by watching the children every so often to give her time to read, time to relax, think and do things for herself which is needed.
My biggest thing would have to be having someone to listen without telling me that their life is harder because of xyz.. I don’t want to compare our sadness or struggles, just vent and move on with my day. I have listened to many vents, but someone to listen to mine would be nice (:
By being supportive and listen to what they have to say, share encouragement words and write them a heartfelt note letting them know how thankful you are for everything they do
By taking them meals, offering to babysit or just being there for support!
All great ideas!
When I was a new spouse, I just wanted someone to listen and understand. Many didn’t. I think that’s one of the best things you can do.
A gift of time would be the best. Being there to listen.
My best friend is a military wife! One of my favorite ways to help is to babysit so they can have a care-free night out! Those are few and far between so I love to help any way I can!
A handwritten note would be my advice. Care and attention, I imagine, are what’s needed after being separated for months.
A retreat for military spouses to talk with other military spouses.
I think by being supportive and just offering a listening ear is a great start and depending on their needs offering to babysit or cook a meal is a good gesture.
Cook a meal, babysit the kids, treat them to dinner and a movie, be a good listener
It’s hard to take a day for yourself most of the time. Reading this reminds how much it is needed. I have to put that plan into action very soon. ;)
I have done this for people. We have six children and always appreciated when done for us..
I love the advice you give! You tell it like it is without being over dramatic which is not easy to find in people anymore. Thank you!
I love your blogs! Thanks for the chance to win this awesome prize!
These are great tips.. I am a army wife of 15 yrs and I still let my family and friends know how military spouses need recognition and help .. For months at a time we are so busy with our families we have no time ourselves article’s like this one helps them see we need help and gives them idea’s thank you for taking the time to do this ..
Cook a meal and drop it off, or offer to do a day of housecleaning or yard work.
A handwritten note is pretty big for me. There is no font like your friend or loved one writes. These are all great ideas tho, Thank you for sharing :)
Love your blog and love these tips! A retreat for spouses and kids during deployments so we could be with people who are going through the same thing.
Love these ideas. Love this blog and all your hard work. Thanks a bunch!
I love your blogs. And those are awesome ideas. I still have times when all I need is someone to listen and understand where I’m coming from. Thank you!
I believe all of those ideas are wonderful. Being there for each other and truly being a family is one of the most amazing gifts a person can give and get. Let go of the petty things and stand strong.
I am a proud military spouse and I want tell all the spouses that I also salute you too. Because we have a hard job that we all won’t trade in the world!!! I think that there should be a retreat for is spouses where we can get together and relax and enjoy each other. Also at the retreat we can have round robins of our challenges and tip to help each other because we are the only ones who understand what we all going through!!
Such great tips!
All these are great ideas!
As a military dependent growing up I’m glad my mom held it all together and I still don’t know how she did it with four kids and my dad constantly deployed! There job of staying home and taking care of everything on the home front is still hard work! Thanks to all the military people and their families!
This is awesome
Having someone listen to me is the best! As always, you’ve posted great ideas. Entering for a chance to be appreciated is nice.
Great tips!!! I’ve learned that by just being there to help is a great gift.
being there and listening and giving respect
Just being a true friend, Dont judge and talk behind my back, be a gebuine person. Know that we do not all walk in the same path, no one knows what is going on behind closed doors.
Any help that is offered and truly meant and not just said and done is appreciated
a homemade dinner and a handwritten note would be great
What a great site for support and information! Thankyou for the chance to win :)
I’m a mil wife and Definetly appreciate a day to myself or a couple of hours with my kids. These two things totally de stress any spouse.
I think so many people in the civilian world have no idea what we go through as a military wife. I just want to say thank you for all that you do!! Any and all of these ideas would be greatly appreciated in our house! :)
Care packages are always helpful and cheerful.
I just like the idea of not being looked down on because I accept a military discount because of my husband’s military service (it’s also nice when it’s not assumed that I only get it for his service, but also for mine – hey, wives can serve, too, before or during their military marriage!) – we all know what military personnel make! When my husband and I are out and people thank him for his service, getting that thank you for supporting him in his career choice is always a nice ego boost, and when they thank the kids for supporting their stepfather (not knowing they’ve supported their father, mother, a former stepmother, a cousin, and godmother as well!!), it’s an even bigger boost that they recognize my children’s sacrifices as well.
Need more opportunities like this!
i think offering to babysit is a great idea or special job opportunities if they are looking for one.
I started a weekly breakfast club. It gets several mom’s together to chat, eat and let the kids play. It’s really good seeing others take it with them to their new posts. BTW love AT&T. Thanks for your blog. Love it too.
How wonderful! A simple thank you really can make a terrible day turn into a good day!