TDT #10 - Your Kids Are Too Old

One of the ways I have always done my countdowns when my  husband is away is by counting trash days.  Most of the time it isn't as daunting a number as the estimated number of days he'll be gone.  And it helps me remember to put the trash out, or rather encourage my boys to put the trash out since it's their job.  So this will be my new weekly post, and I'll just really post whatever, no real set theme.  Please feel free to join me on this adventure of counting down the time until your loved one comes home!

 There are numerous organizations out there that work really hard to support families of deployed Service members and families that are separated due to hardship tours.  I am really grateful for them and their support...when they include my kids.  Apparently, for some organizations, your kids have to fit a certain age bracket to receive any of their services or products.  Apparently, when you reach a certain age, you are no longer affected by separation and have no need for little extra's to get you through.

I recently submitted my boys for a couple different things and was met with a reply that my kids were too old.  Nowhere on their websites does it state ages.  I even add special comments explaining our situation and acknowledging that my kids are a bit older but are still struggling with this situation.  They need additional TLC too.

I'm not trying to take anything away from anyone.  My kids miss their dad just as much as the younger kids.  We are blessed with technology but even with that, they don't get to talk to their dad daily because of the big time difference.  I selected these two particular organizations because what they would be providing would be something that would mean something to all of my boys.  But because they apparently don't have feelings after a certain age, we were declined.

Please don't think I'm trying to sound entitled, of course we don't need anything, we are okay.  I'm just saying, please don't forget about the older children, they could benefit too from feeling extra special. 

Tell me these faces don't say that they love and miss their dad just as much as the next kid and that goodbyes still suck, no matter how old you are.