Building Resilience in Children

How can military families provide stability for their children amid the constant changes of military life? The answer lies in teaching them resilience, the ability to adapt and grow regardless of what life throws their way. When children learn to develop this inner strength, they become both empowered and highly adaptable.

Family spoke with Amber Myszka, an Army Reserve (AGR) spouse currently stationed in Boise, Idaho, with her husband, Captain Kyle Myszka, and their two children, Arthur (7) and Ellie (3).

Why Resilience Matters for Military Kids

Military children experience a lot. Regardless of where or how their parents serve, growing up in a military family requires children to face big feelings and complex issues.

Building resilience doesn't mean the tough days get any easier. Instead, it fosters a unique perspective and an appreciation for the strengths that grow from these challenges. When circumstances turn life sideways, resilience puts their feet back on solid ground, keeping them rooted in personal values.

Tools for Fostering Inner Strength

Children benefit immensely from understanding that, while their individual story is unique, they are part of a global community of hundreds of thousands of U.S. military children.

Parents can leverage several practical tools to reinforce this connection:

• Relatable Literature: Numerous books geared toward all age groups discuss and celebrate the specific realities of military life.
• Community Programs: Specialized resources and programs designed specifically for military families allow children to connect with peers who share relatable experiences, helping them feel recognized and understood.

Simply knowing that they are not alone in their sacrifices or their transient lifestyle offers vital reassurance.

Leading by Example

The best way for parents to teach resilience is to model it.

Parents often hide their emotions in a well-intended effort to protect their children from the weight of adult struggles. However, when we normalize feelings like sadness, frustration, and loneliness, we demonstrate to our kids that these emotions are not a permanent state of being. More importantly, it shows them that we can continue to grow and prosper despite those feelings.

Of course, healthy guardrails are necessary. Military children often have to grow up faster than their civilian peers, and there is no need to accelerate that by sharing every intimate detail of adult challenges. But by practicing what we preach—walking through hard days with grace, transparency, and an eye for the silver lining—we empower our children to do the same.

Honoring Military Youth: Operation Homefront

In her professional life, Myszka works for Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit dedicated to building strong, stable, and secure military families through relief and recurring support programs.

One of the organization's flagship initiatives is the annual Military Child of the Year® Award, celebrated each April. Seven exceptional young people, each representing a distinct branch of the armed forces, are selected for the award. Recipients receive a $10,000 prize and are honored at an official gala in Washington, D.C.

The program serves as an opportunity to honor military children everywhere, celebrating their leadership, resilience, and service to their communities despite the unique challenges of military life.

To learn more about these resources and programs, visit Operation Homefront.