I got some information from a friend. Someone is collecting essays from Army wives, husbands too, I guess!
She sent me the link for more information: Military Spouse Books. There's also a Facebook page set up: Military Spouse Books.
Looks like they're collecting essays in three categories:
OH, this is a good topic. What are some good ideas for FRG meetings?
Every group will be different.
I read a post where someone had a small activity for the children at each meeting. One time the children put beads on string/yarn, made individual bracelets. Some children chose Army colored beads, some chose "princess colors", and others had the full rainbow effect.
Another good idea I've seen was with a group just before they deployed. This group got some long paper rolls, extras from the local newspaper printer. Then the children laid down on the paper and were traced. Of course they decorated their tracing after getting up, added color, sparkle, even scraps of fabric. Many of the children sent their paper-person to their Soldier after they had deployed. Then when the Soldier got home they could see how much bigger their children were. Cool! A few families traced their SOLDIERS pre-deployment, then posted them at home in a place for the children to see. I would even do this w/o children in the home, very special. ;)
One meeting I went to was a book exchange. Everyone brought extra books from their home, then swapped. I can't remember if we had a certain number we were allowed to take, but there were extra books left over, anyway. That was a fun meeting.
Another meeting we attended was in a hanger. Our unit wasn't aviation, so it was neat to see some things up close and personal, something very new to most of us. There were no children at this meeting. We were just glad to be doing something different than sitting in a square room somewhere.
Why do people go to Family Readiness Group meetings? What's the point? We can get information from many other sources: vFRG, emails, newsletters phone calls, even Facebook pages.
Drama aside, I have always liked FRG meetings because of the PEOPLE. Living a military lifestyle is not easy. The bonds we make with other people can make us stronger, help enjoy the fun times and to get through the tough times. The lazy part of me would have preferred sitting on my rump in my living room, watching some brain-drain TV show. But it never failed. No matter what the overall feeling of the FRG (drama or not), I have always been blessed to have met at least one special friend with whom I've kept in touch over the years. At least one friend, sometimes many more.
We learn from other people. We share, and we grow. What are some other cool ideas you have for FRG meetings? PLEASE share your ideas here. I could use a few new ideas, too! ;)
Below is a list of search terms that have brought readers to this blog in the last couple of days. I will use this list as a topic of ideas in future postings. Feel free to add your two cents at ANY time. Your input is what makes the discussion interesting. ;)
FRSAs are a BLESSING to a unit, but they are NOT FRG LEADERS. That's my opinion, anyway. The unit Commander is ultimately responsible for the support of his unit families, and the Family Readiness Group. The Family Readiness Support Assistant is part of the staff structure, helping to get the administrative work done, in support of these families. The FRSA works for the Commander, not the Commander's wife (although the Commander and his wife really can be a good team together).
Should FRSAs go to meetings? What role should they have at these meetings?
Does your unit FRSA do newsletters? Are they in control of the unit web site(s), moderating membership lists and information flow, as per the Commander's intent?
When a unit is deployed, it is ESSENTIAL for each FRG make sure their families' contact information is up-to-date (although this relies on families offering updates). The FRGs must keep this information flowing to the Rear Detachment Command (BN, BDE, whatever). The FRSA can help in making sure this information is coordinated and in a format usable by the Rear D.
Families can call the FRSA, if this person is approachable, and get information on needed resources. Does this mean the FRSA is usurping the role of the FRG Leader, or a link to Families who may not want someone else in the unit knowing their info?
Please add your input. I'll post more topics for discussion, too. Pass along the link to this blog. Let's get talking. Hooah!
I work with another blog, almost forgot about this one. But then I checked my stats, and this one is getting more hits than I had imagined possible. Sooooo.... Why not continue?
Where have I been? That doesn't matter. I have time now to reflect on a few things, and would LOVE your input. PLEASE join in the discussion and share your thoughts. What fun would this be, otherwise?
I have just created this blog as an effort to collect Family Readiness Group stories. The purpose of collecting these stories is to share them for encouragement, brainstorming ideas to help your groups, and to learn from things that may have not worked out so well.
If you would like to share a story, idea, pictures, etc., please email it to me (myblogmail @ comcast.net) and I will review it for posting. While I will properly credit everyone who shares ideas, files, etc. with the group, I do not want to share actual names, locations, etc. when posting stories about what has happened in your specific FRGs. The names will either be deleted or changed prior to posting. I hope to focus on the positive, learn from the negative, and aim to adhere to good OPSEC policies.
I look forward to hearing from you! ;)
