4 reasons military brats are superior human beings
SUMMARY
It can be hard to be anyone that is military-connected. Long hours, uncertain travel plans, deployment, bootcamp, cancelling everything…MREs; but military kids somehow manage to navigate the life much better than most adults. What I noticed after spending time with my own military kids and their friends is that when the rubber meets the road they will always shock you with their resilience and their maturity, and really their sheer coolness under pressure. They also have a little bit of humor about their lives, which we all know is an essential part of getting through this life. I'd like to introduce five military kids, ages 6 to 13. If you really want to know what being a military kid is like maybe we should actually ask the kids?
Here are 4 reasons military brats are superior human beings:
Military kids have a sense of humor.
At age 6, Mattis (yes, you read that right, his namesake is the unwavering General Mattis) has a rather humorous outlook on life as a military kid. Both of Mattis' parents are Marines, his dad is currently serving. He's dead serious about the fact that having a million dollars would make his life as a military kid much easier. Me too, kid. Upon further reflection he settled on a hug being the best way to get him through the tough times; and is swaying from the idea that it's impossible that his military parents have made him stronger. Ami, age 11, firmly believes the best part about being a military kid is the military ID you get when you're 10.
Military kids Dannika Mattis.
Military kids find ways to thrive in hard times.
Dannika, age 10, finds the good and bad with military life. "I just don't want to feel left out," she said. "My friends from my old school talk about things going on in their lives, and I don't feel a part of the group anymore. It makes me sad." On the flip side she says, "Every time I move I get to make new friends, so I have way more friends than regular kids." Ami, age 11, shared, "I'm used to things getting cancelled. It usually just means we'll just get to do something different. It might even be cooler."
Military kids might know more about the world than you do.
Brian, age 13, is always shocked about how much his friends don't know. "You get to learn a lot about the stuff that's happening in the world and our history in a way that's different." Dannika shared what that understanding really means. "Regular kids have normal lives where they don't have to worry about their mom or dad going to war. We appreciate our parents more when they are home."
Military kids Brian, Ami, and Phillip.
Military kids know what they need.
And it's really simple. Phillip, age 8, says, "I just want people to pray for my dad and me." On Brian's wishlist? "People just to be able to be sympathetic to military kids, especially when they have parents who are gone. Just tell us it's going to be okay and that we aren't alone, and that you'll be there for us."
So, this Month of Military Child we can read about education supports, therapy, why a parent loves their military kid…but it's worth your time to sit down with your military kid and just ask them. You might be surprised at their responses.
