April was first designated as the Month of the Military Child in 1986, by the U.S. Secretary of Defence1. In recent years, Canada has also recognized this special month, and honoured the unique challenges and sacrifices of children in military families. Military children are often compared to dandelions – like those hardy plants, which go wherever the wind carries them, children in military families may travel in many directions, and bloom where they’re planted.
According to research from the Vanier Institute of the Family, about 75% of couples and 20% of single members in the Regular Force have children under the age of eighteen. One of the most impactful experiences for Canadian Armed Forces families is frequent relocation and what that entails, such as finding schools, supports, friends and activities in a new community. Approximately 10,000 military families are relocated annually due to postings, with 80% of those moving to a new province. Since housing choices have changed significantly over the last 25 years, and nearly 9 out of 10 military families now live off-base, civilian friends, neighbours, teachers and coaches may all be connected with military families, and introduced to challenging and rewarding aspects of the military lifestyle.
This year, the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre is celebrating the Month of the Military Child with a virtual gallery. To acknowledge the numerous ways in which military families are connected with the broader community, the KMFRC welcomes military members, veterans and civilians alike to contribute written work, or photos of their artwork (e.g., drawings, collages or digital art). Submissions to the virtual gallery, which will be featured on the Kingston MFRC Facebook page, will be welcomed until April 30th. Additional information can be found at http://kmfrc.com/artexpo
By
Leigh Wood Landry
1 https://www.cmfmag.ca/cmf_kids/military-child-month/
2 https://vanierinstitute.ca/research/military-veteran-families-canada-initiative/