This module teaches you solid problem-solving steps. With practice, you can become more capable and comfortable solving problems. These skills may also prevent you from adding unnecessary stress to your relationship with your deployed partner.  

Put It Into Practice:

• Problem Solving Worksheet
• Problem Solving Take Action

In this module, you will learn tips to help you manage practical tasks that you may have taken on since your partner was deployed. With practice, you will be able to take care of practical issues using creative and successful solutions. 

Put It Into Practice:

• Practical Issues Take Action
• Problem Solving Worksheet
• Substance Abuse Inventory
• Tracking your Expenses Worksheet

All couples have different patterns, types and frequencies of communication. During deployment, it is essential for both of you to determine what works best for you as a couple. Have realistic expectations for frequency of contact and the specific things your loved one would like to know about. The goal of this module is to help you make that communication effective and supportive for you and your partner.  

Put It Into Practice:

• Active Listening Checklist
• Communication Skills Take Action
• Hunt the Good Stuff Worksheet
• Online Communication Resource List

Learning to be more assertive can help you understand, recognize and effectively express your feelings when communicating with others about difficult issues. It also lets others know what you need from them. Being assertive can help prevent conflict and reduce stress. It also helps you formulate clear and concrete objectives to reach your goals. Using assertive communication can build your confidence, create win-win situations, improve your decision-making and lead to stronger, more honest relationships. 

Put It Into Practice:

• Assertive Communication Checklist
• Assertive Communication Take Action
• Helpful Resources for Military and Community
• How to Find and Receive Help Checklist
• How to Find and Receive Help Take Action

Conflict resolution skills can improve all our social relationships. Learning to politely disagree and work through problems is one of the most important social skills. The same strategies you use to negotiate Family roles can be used to negotiate with friends and others. This same process can be used after your loved one returns from a deployment. 

Put It Into Practice:

• Conflict Behaviors Chart
• Conflict Resolution Take Action
• Steps to Negotiation Handout

Social media and texting can help build relationships, but it can also destroy them. These communication tools can be used to share important news, but they also can be used to spread misinformation. In this module, you will learn about the positive and negative effects of social media and texting.  

Put It Into Practice:

• Social Media Take Action

Deployment is a fact of military life. You have pride in knowing that your Soldier and your Family are contributing to the safety of our nation; yet you will probably experience an intense range of emotions throughout every deployment. Although conflicting emotions are normal, they can be confusing and stressful. You may find yourself struggling with loneliness, depression, anxiety, trust issues or anger. 

Whatever your emotional state (which may change frequently during stressful times), there are tools to help you manage your feelings and enjoy life more fully.  

Put It Into Practice:

• Emotional Adjustment to Deployment Take Action
• Hunt the Good Stuff Worksheet
• Managing New Emotions Worksheet
• Thought Record

Resilience is the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to resources that sustain their physical, emotional, social, spiritual, cultural and Family well-being. You can be a role model for your children and for other Family members and friends. You may not always feel strong and in control, but you can learn methods that help you keep moving forward. 

Resilient individuals remain strong and face unexpected changes with the confidence that they can cope with any situation. The cycle of deployment presents opportunities for increasing your resilience.   

Put It Into Practice:

• Brief Resilience Scale
• Hunt the Good Stuff Worksheet
• Recognizing Resilience Take Action
• Resilience Characteristics Worksheet

Deployment can be a time of extra stress for you as you deal with everything at home on your own. You now carry most of the burden of keeping things going and handling everyday tasks. 

This stress may interfere with your ability to manage at your best level. Understanding stress and your reactions to it is a good first step toward finding effective ways to manage the challenges of deployment. Using stress management strategies can help you feel stronger, both physically and emotionally, as you progress through deployment and other life challenges.  

Put It Into Practice:

• Guided Imagery Exercise
• Hunt the Good Stuff Worksheet
• Managing Excess Stress Take Action
• Mandala
• Perceived Stress Scale
• Pleasant Event Worksheet
• Stress Diary Worksheet
• Stretching and Music

Deployment can be a time of great change as you take on new roles and responsibilities. As you enter these changed circumstances, you may find that you put yourself last. Family obligations, work or volunteer responsibilities, and household tasks can pull you in many different directions. 

To meet these challenges, it is important that you carve out time to manage your own health and happiness. Taking care of yourself comes in many forms: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It is appreciating yourself and living a healthy lifestyle. It is setting personal goals. It is allowing yourself the opportunity to experience a more rewarding life, regardless of challenges.   

Put It Into Practice:

• Goal Setting Template
• Goal Setting Worksheet
• Self Esteem Quiz
• Taking Care of You Take Action

Time and experience define many roles within Families. Deployment changes Family roles and responsibilities. You and your spouse may have discussed these changes and how you will manage changes after deployment. 

Research points to four patterns that contribute to successful Family role functioning, whether your spouse is away or not. You must distribute Family members’ roles fairly and define these roles clearly. However, Family members must be flexible and take responsibility for new tasks.   

Put It Into Practice:

• Chore Chart Examples
• Family Roles Chart
• Family Roles Take Action
• Hunt the Good Stuff Worksheet
• Resources for Educators

During deployment, relationships may become strained because of the emotional stress of physical separation. You and your spouse must try to remain emotionally close. When you take steps to stay emotionally connected, you will both feel secure in your commitment to each other. 

Commitment often means doing the right thing rather than the easy thing. You and your spouse need to express your love and appreciation for each other and show that you accept and support each other. Keep communication frequent and focused on strengthening your relationship. This module will help you navigate the challenges of deployment and keep the emotional bond between you and your spouse strong.   

Put It Into Practice:

• Enhancing Your Relationship Take Action
• Love Languages
• Relationship Goal Setting Template
• Relationship Goals Setting Worksheet
• Relationship Strengths Chart

During deployment, children encounter the normal struggles of growing up and the additional stress of having an absent parent. Fortunately, researchers have identified factors that help children thrive during a parent’s deployment. 

This module has strategies for helping children navigate the changes caused by deployment. Children who learn strategies for building resilience and managing stress and emotions are more likely to thrive.   

Put It Into Practice:

• Goal Setting Template
• Goal Setting Worksheet
• Hunt the Good Stuff Worksheet
• Parenting Resources
• Parenting Take Action

Some adjustments you made during deployment may also work best for your Family post-deployment, and you may need to make further adjustments. Some changes may be related to your Soldier’s combat experiences or injuries. Some behavioral adjustments may evolve over time. You can accommodate longer-term adjustments with the right resources. 

You can use the strategies in this module, such as problem-solving, assertive communication, active listening and negotiating roles, to help manage the changes brought on by post-deployment.   

Put It Into Practice:

• Deployment Changes Take Action and Put it into Practice
• Domestic Violence Resource List
• PTSD Resource List
• Safety Plan