After the Homecoming Honeymoon: What to Expect

Homecoming for a military family is a joyous occasion but that phase has varying lengths and some important considerations to plan for. Communication is the key to a smooth transition to reintegrate yourself or your spouse back into the family household. Make sure you communicate your expectations or desired plans before homecoming. Do you want to come home to relax and unwind or do you want to go out a lot or take an extended vacation?  

In some instances military members may come home from a deployment with some form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or suffer from other psychological/emotional damage. It is the family's responsibility to comfort and confront their spouse and seek immediate help for them. You may face a struggle or resistance at first but if they really are suffering then you will be doing what's in their best interest. 

Spouses especially need to be patient with one another when reintegrating their living situations together again such as sharing space, or reestablishing domestic and parental roles. Even seemingly easy gestures such as showing love physically and verbally may not come easy at first. 

If things aren't going as well as you had anticipated, don't get discouraged or give up on your marriage. These difficult times require lots of work and meaningful attention. Click here for some sources if you need further assistance on regaining a stable family environment after a spouse has returned home.