Military quality of life issues have taken center stage as the DoD struggles with recruitment and retention. Of recent note is the attention on child care. Let’s explore a family’s journey through relocations and how their needs evolved while the issues remained the same.
Keneisha’s Story
Keneisha, active duty in the U.S. Navy, and her spouse Adam, a business consultant, embarked on their journey after receiving Keneisha’s PCS orders shortly after marriage.
Initially childless, they could live off base and invest time and resources into finding housing. Adam focused on interviewing and setting up their new lives while Keneisha went to work. Shortly after Adam found employment, Keneisha had their first child. On-base care wasn’t available, forcing Adam to take unpaid leave until a civilian center had an opening. They had to cover costs while waiting for fee assistance, draining Adam’s entire paycheck. Just as they received assistance, they received new orders, starting the process anew.
With their next relocation, Keneisha handled housing while Adam managed child care waitlists and fee assistance applications. The move’s expenses and previous child care costs depleted their savings, preventing Adam from returning to work. They couldn’t afford quality care without assistance, but they couldn’t qualify for assistance without work. After a few months, Adam found a low-paying part-time position to cover occasional child care for meetings, but he felt exhausted, frustrated, and guilty for wanting to work. Keneisha’s career became their lifeline, so she continued. Then, they received orders again.
Adam wanted Keneisha to leave the military, but they couldn’t afford it due to their debts from unreimbursed PCS expenses, deposits, child care, and loans. Housing and travel costs used to be manageable, but they relied entirely on a dual-income which they didn’t have anymore.
Resource 1: Expectation Management
You may be wondering why I told this story instead of offering a list of resources. The answer is that there aren’t many accessible resources for child care and that is the first resource I want you to have, expectation management.
Resource 2: Understanding
The second resource is understanding. Child care issues within military families haven’t received much attention, overshadowed by PCS and employment challenges. However, these issues often originate from child care struggles. You’re not alone in this; it’s not your fault. You’re doing your best with the resources available.
Resource 3: Planning
The third resource is planning. Military spouses excel in planning, so utilize your skills. Accessing on-base care without being a single parent or dual military is unlikely. Apply but don’t solely rely on it. Explore civilian child care options, consider affordability without assistance, and check Operation Child Care website for subsidized and unsubsidized care options. Look for licensed centers using the provided state links on the site. Consult Facebook groups for insights on child care at your new duty station. The community provides reliable and accurate timelines.
Resource 4: Compassion
Finally, I offer the fourth resource: compassion. Have compassion for yourself—it’s challenging for active duty families, but you’re doing it anyway. Extend compassion to others; we’re more similar than different. Embrace the support of the community; they’ll uplift you.
Meet Kayla
Kayla Corbitt works with DoD-affiliated families and advocacy organizations to reduce the burden that the lack of child care access has on the military community. Kayla founded Operation Child Care, which offers an all-in-one search tool and private nanny care to bridge the gap in child care families face with relocation. Operation Child Care supports our troops by supporting their families through advocacy, programming, and support.
