Central Texas is home to thousands of military families connected to Fort Hood (formerly Cavazos). During the holiday season, these families often face unique challenges that civilian families never experience. Deployments, TDY assignments, field exercises, last-minute schedule changes, and PCS moves can reshape Christmas plans in ways that require flexibility, strength, and emotional resilience.

At Barina Law Group, we proudly serve military families throughout Bell and Coryell County. We understand the pressure, sacrifice, and uncertainty that military life brings — especially for children. This guide provides practical and emotional support for families navigating Christmas with a deployed or unavailable parent.

🎄 1. Helping Children Understand Deployment During Christmas

Children may feel:

• sadness

• anger

• confusion

• fear

• disappointment

They may struggle with questions like:
“Why can't Daddy come home for Christmas?”
“Does Mom still love me even though she's far away?”

Parents can help by:

• Explaining deployment in age-appropriate language

• Reassuring the child it's NOT their fault

• Describing the parent's important role

• Keeping routines as normal as possible

Children feel safer when they understand why a parent is absent.

🎄 2. Create a “Christmas With Deployment” Plan

Children thrive on structure.
Create a visual calendar showing:

• Christmas events

• Video call times

• Special activities

• When letters or packages will be sent

• When the child can open gifts

Predictability reduces anxiety and strengthens emotional security.

🎄 3. Make Virtual Christmas Moments Special

Technology helps children stay connected to deployed parents. Create meaningful moments:

• Virtual Christmas story reading

• Opening one gift on video call

• Saying prayers or sharing gratitude together

• A virtual “Hot Cocoa Night”

• Sending a Christmas morning video

Even short calls can bring enormous comfort.

🎄 4. Build a Deployment Keepsake Box

Help your child create a box filled with:

• cards

• drawings

• photos

• letters to the deployed parent

• small crafts

• questions they want to ask

This helps the child process emotions while maintaining connection.

Co-parenting tip:
Both households can contribute to the keepsake box — especially helpful in blended or shared custody homes.

🎄 5. Send Deployed Parents a Christmas Care Package

Kids feel empowered when they help prepare a package. Include:

• handwritten notes

• photos

• holiday snacks

• small gifts

• favorite treats

• a Christmas ornament

Let your child decorate the box.
This creates a memory that strengthens bonds.

🎄 6. For Single Parents During Deployment: Ask for Support

Military spouses often carry the full mental load during deployment.
Reach out for help when needed:

• friends

• extended family

• church communities

• on-post support groups

• Child & Youth Services (CYS) programs

• Barina Law Group for legal concerns

No parent should feel alone during the holidays.

🎄 7. For Co-Parents: Respect Military Demands and Flexibility Needs

Military service often overrides parenting schedules.
A co-parent may need:

• to request additional time before or after deployment

• a schedule modification

• more virtual parenting time

• extra communication

Texas courts recognize military necessity, and Barina Law Group can help adjust orders to support both households and the child.

🎄 8. Create New Traditions for the Year a Parent Is Deployed

Examples include:

• “Deployment Ornament” with the parent's name and service branch

• Christmas Eve candle in the window

• Reading a book the deployed parent recorded

• A star on the tree for the parent's safe return

• A family walk while sending “wishes” to the deployed parent

New traditions help children cope with absence.

🎄 9. Support Children When They Miss Their Parent

When your child expresses sadness, respond with:

• empathy

• validation

• reassurance

Say things like:

• “It's okay to miss Mommy.”

• “Daddy wishes he could be here too.”

• “Your feelings are important.”

Avoid minimizing emotions or telling children to “be strong.”
Allow them to feel — safely.

🎄 10. When Deployment Affects Parenting Orders

Military service may require:

• temporary schedule modification

• make-up parenting time

• virtual visitation orders

• emergency agreements

Barina Law Group assists military families in adjusting orders due to:

• deployment

• PCS moves

• changing duty stations

• safety concerns

• scheduling conflicts

We ensure the process protects both the active-duty parent and the child's best interests.

🇺🇸 Barina Law Group proudly serves the military community.

If you need help with custody, visitation, modifications, or deployment-related orders, visit www.bobbybarinalaw.com or call (254) 699-3755