How my military experience prepared me for parenting
Being a parent comes with its challenges, but I’ve found that my time in the military gave me some incredible tools to tackle this new mission called parenthood. The military and motherhood may seem worlds apart, but you’d be surprised how much they have in common! Here are 10 lessons I learned from the military that help me every day as a stay-at-home mom.
1. Patience Is a Superpower
We’ve all heard “patience is a virtue,” but when you’ve served in the military, you know it’s more like a survival skill! Remember the phrase “hurry up and wait”? Whether it’s waiting in formation for hours or waiting for your 4-year-old to put on shoes, patience is the name of the game. Kids know just how to test your limits, and that military-learned patience really pays off when parenting pushes all your buttons.
2. Be the Calm in the Chaos
The military throws you into stressful situations, but the key is staying calm amidst the chaos. Parenthood? Same deal. Whether it’s a drill sergeant barking orders or a toddler melting down in the grocery store, the ability to remain calm saves the day. Staying grounded keeps everything—and everyone—under control, no matter how crazy things get.
3. Communication Is Everything
The military taught me the importance of clear, effective communication, from giving orders to working as a team. As a parent, communication is just as vital. Whether it’s getting through to your preschooler or navigating the tricky teenage years, using active listening and body language helps you connect with your kids without sounding like you’re nagging or prying.
4. Understanding Others’ Feelings
In the military, you learn to see things from different perspectives, and that empathy is a powerful parenting tool. Understanding your kids’ emotions—especially when they’re acting out—helps you respond with patience and compassion, instead of frustration. Sometimes, all it takes is putting yourself in their little shoes.
5. Pushing Through Physical Boundaries
Serving in the military pushes you beyond your physical limits, and parenthood? It’s no different. Moms especially know how tough it is after giving birth, and all parents have experienced hauling around diaper bags, kids, strollers—you name it. Whether it’s rucking or rocking a baby to sleep at 2 a.m., we push through!
6. Mental Resilience Is Key
Mental resilience is something I had to master in the military, and it’s just as crucial in motherhood. The exhaustion of sleepless nights and constant demands can take a toll on your mental health. But those coping skills I learned during tough military moments? They’ve been lifesavers when things get overwhelming as a parent.
7. Cherish Family Time
Military life often means being far from family, which makes you appreciate those moments with loved ones even more. In parenthood, the same applies. Time is precious, and knowing how unpredictable life can be makes you cherish every milestone, every bedtime story, and every cuddle a little more.
8. Mastering Time Management
Neither new troops nor young kids come with built-in time management skills! In the military, you learn how to prioritize and manage time effectively, and this is a must-have skill as a parent. Whether it’s getting everyone ready for school or keeping the household running, time management makes life easier for everyone.
9. Thriving Under Pressure
The military trains you to keep a cool head in high-pressure situations, and this is a skill you’ll use over and over as a parent. Kids are masters at creating stressful situations, whether it’s tantrums or tight schedules, but staying calm and collected helps everyone get through the chaos in one piece.
10. Celebrate the Small Victories
One thing the military teaches you is to appreciate small wins, like meeting a deadline early or finishing a mission. In parenthood, those victories might be getting your toddler to bed on time or surviving a day with no meltdowns. It’s the little things that keep you going, so don’t forget to pause and celebrate them!
These are lessons I’ve learned from my time in the military that I apply daily as a mom. Parenting may be a different battlefield, but the mindset, skills, and resilience I built in the military have made me stronger, calmer, and more prepared for anything this wild journey throws my way!
