Military Mom Collective

With the help of books upon blogs upon podcasts upon numerous conversations, I tried to learn and soak up every last piece of advice before becoming a new mom. However, I either didn’t listen or a lot of advice...

Moving to a new assignment means it's time to say goodbye to your comfortable house and familiar belongings and head to the base or local hotel. It means living out of suitcases for a few days (if you're lucky)...

I couldn't wait to become a mom. I started my family at a pretty young age, and as I loved my little wee ones, I was so excited to become "that mom." You know. The soccer mom. The PTA...

Moving away from your tribe is arguably the hardest part of a military permanent change of station (PCS). You spend between two and five years (give or take a year or two) building relationships, finding those people who are...

I have started and deleted this post many times. I am at a loss for words, which is weird for me because when I'm telling stories or trying to explain complicated concepts to my three children, my introverted husband...

You’ve watched the moving truck roll down the street, turned in the keys, piled the kids clutching man’s best friend into the car, and waved “bye house.” Whether there are days or weeks between this moment and the next when...

Recently, my husband's military record changed to reflect that he now has an "exceptional family member." Prior to the diagnosis, nothing appeared amiss. Afterwards, I experienced an array of emotions ranging from shock and anger to hurt and fear. We denied. I cried. But, as all...

When I was young, I always knew I wanted to be a mother and a wife, but I never imagined I would become a spouse to a member of the military. The traveling, the uprooting, the long periods of...

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni is the only Marine Corps installation on mainland Japan. We are located on the southern end of the main island of Japan, sandwiched between beautiful mountains and the Seto Inland Sea. We are...

In the last nine months, I’ve had a lot on my plate. With a full-time job, 5-year-old twins, preparing to PCS, and being pregnant, my life has felt a little bit like a gigantic goat rodeo. Crazy doesn’t even...

When I think back to my time using a breast pump with my first child, my memories are pretty ho hum at best. Mostly, I remember being alone in a confined space, with a ticking clock, telling me I...

I love stuff. Can you relate? I have been guilty of succumbing to “retail therapy” every now and again. When I lived alone, it was a hobby. When it was just me and my oldest daughter, it was a...