Each April, communities, schools and military family support organizations across the U.S. pause to honor military kids through the nationally recognized Month of the Military Child. About 40% of U.S. service members have kids who also serve in their own ways, supporting their parent from home. From special discounts to proclamations, individuals recognize April's Month of the Military Child as a time to both acknowledge the sacrifice kids in military families make each day and spread information ways anyone can help military children be successful.
Here are five ways to use resources created to support Month of the Military Child:
1. Use military child discounts. Businesses around the U.S. have special military child-friendly discounts and some, like the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), offer discounts specifically in recognition of Month of the Military Child. You can read more about military kid discounts on Military.com.
2. Read special federal and state proclamations. Did you know both the U.S. president and many governors nationwide issue annual proclamations in recognition of Month of the Military Child? For example, you can read President Joe Biden's latest proclamation or a proclamation from Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
3. Check out a Month of the Military Child resource list. The military family resource website Military OneSource has compiled a Month of the Military Child toolkit to provide parents and military child supporters with military kid-related answers and help. You can access it on their website.
4. Use a military kid health toolkit. The military family medical resource Health.mil put together a toolkit to help military kids stay healthy and thrive despite the many challenges and uncertainties military life can bring. It includes well-being and mental health support resources. Access it on Health.mil.
5. Find facts about military kid education. The National PTA, which supports parent-teacher organizations in schools across the U.S., has put together a page dedicated to supporting military kids, complete with facts and information on military children in public education. It also includes ideas for engaging military-connected students in schools. Visit the National PTA site for more information.
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