One of the main challenges faced by military couples is managing their relationship when one partner is deployed for an extended period of time. During deployment, communication between partners becomes limited due to distance, making it difficult to maintain emotional closeness and trust.
There are several strategies that can help couples preserve relational continuity despite these obstacles.
Couples can establish clear communication expectations before deployment. This includes discussing how often they will communicate, what medium they will use, and any potential interruptions to communication, such as travel delays or schedule changes. By setting clear boundaries from the start, couples can avoid misunderstandings and frustration later on.
Couples can maintain physical intimacy through non-sexual touching and affection. Non-sexual acts such as holding hands, cuddling, and hugging can provide comfort and reassurance during long periods apart.
Couples can engage in sexual activity via video chat or written correspondence to maintain intimacy and closeness.
Couples should continue to date each other even when apart. Dating involves shared experiences outside of the home, such as watching movies, going to dinner, or taking a walk. Couples who date while separated can create new memories together, which can strengthen their bond and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Couples can utilize technology to stay connected. Video chatting, text messaging, and social media can be used to keep up with daily life and share updates and photos. These tools can also be used for virtual dates and games, allowing couples to spend quality time together even if they are miles apart.
Military couples can maintain relational continuity by establishing clear communication expectations, preserving physical intimacy, dating, and using technology to stay connected. With these strategies, couples can preserve their relationship despite deployment schedules.
What strategies enable couples to preserve relational continuity despite unpredictable deployment schedules?
Strategies that can help couples preserve relational continuity during deployment include communication, planning for separation, using technology to stay connected, maintaining intimacy through virtual means, creating a routine before and after deployments, and making time for self-care and leisure activities. During times of separation due to military deployment, it is essential to establish a clear plan for communication with each other regularly to avoid miscommunications and misunderstandings.