Family relationships require extra care when you’re in the military. From welcoming your first child to parenting through deployment or leaving your children with a guardian, you’ll find resources on Military OneSource to help you and your family live your best MilLife.
-
MilLife Topics
- Military Basics
- Deployment
- Transitioning & Retiring
- Casualty Assistance
- Moving & PCS
- Housing & Living
- Recreation, Travel & Shopping
- Relationships
- Parenting
- Special Needs
- Health & Wellness
- Safety From Violence & Abuse
- Financial & Legal
- Education & Employment
- I am a…
- Benefits & Resources
- Benefits
- Back to Menu
- View Benefits Finder
- View Benefits Finder
- Moving
- Military OneSource Services
- Planning & Prevention
- Discounts & Perks
- Pay & Leave
- Education & Employment
- Recreation
- Family & Child Care
- Relationships
- Health Care & Emotional Well-being
- Retirement
- Assistance Programs
- Housing
- Shopping
- Legal
- Travel
- Popular Benefits
- MilTax
- Space-A Travel
- DOD MWR Libraries
- Resources
- Back to Menu
- View Resources Finder
- View Resources Finder
- MilLife Guides
- Military OneSource Network Websites
- Podcasts
- Government Websites
- Webinars
- External Websites
- Directories & Tools
- Online Learning
- Mobile Apps
- Popular Resources
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
- Plan My Move
- Moving Personal Property
- DPS Login
- Other Resources
- Data, Research & Statistics
- Products
- Back to Menu
- View Products Finder
- View Products Finder
- Popular Product Types
- Books and Booklets
- Fact Sheets
- Brochures and Cards
- Flyers
- Educational Items
- Posters and Banners
- Popular Products
- National Veterans and Military Families Month Fact Sheet
- Skills for Coping With Change Book
- Healthy Tips to Get Your Family Cooking Book
- Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Chill Drills 2 – Releasing Stress
- Confidential Help
24/7/365 Access to Support
No matter where you serve or live, free and confidential help is available.
- In Crisis?
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line
- Back to Menu
- Veterans/Military Crisis Line
- PhoneLive ChatInternationalWebsite
Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Back to Menu
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- PhoneLive ChatText
Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text “START” to 88788
- DOD Safe Helpline - Sexual Assault Support
- Back to Menu
- DOD Safe Helpline - Sexual Assault Support
- PhoneLive ChatWebsite
Call 877-995-5247
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Back to Menu
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- PhoneLive ChatTTY
Call 988
Use your preferred relay service, or dial 711 then 988
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator - Family Advocacy Program
- Back to Menu
- Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator - Family Advocacy Program
- Interactive Tool
In the United States, call 911 if you are in an emergency.
For those outside the United States, call your local emergency number.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Live Chat
- About Us
- Browse By Program/Office
- Casualty & Mortuary Affairs
- Child & Youth Advocacy
- Child & Youth Programs
- Commissary, Military Exchange & Lodging
- Family Advocacy Program
- Military Community Support Programs
- Military & Family Life Counseling
- Military Family Readiness Programs
- Military Funeral Honors
- Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR)
- Office of Special Needs
- Personnel Accountability & Evacuations Operations
- Spouse Education & Career Opportunities
-
Contact Military OneSource
Information and support for service members and their families. About the Call Center.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Additional Ways to Contact Us
MilLife GuidesSupport for Parents & Guardians
Overview
Parent Support Programs
The New Parent Support Program helps military parents, including expectant parents, provide a nurturing environment for their children. Services include prenatal classes, parenting classes, home visits, playgroups and, if needed, referrals to other resources.
The program services are available at no charge for active-duty service members, including National Guard and reserve, and their families.
Another great resource for new and expectant parents is the Military OneSource New MilParent specialty consultation. Access expert advice on parenting issues, including sleep challenges, potty training, single parenthood, child care and more.
The New Parent Support Program can help you navigate through pregnancy, transition successfully into parenthood and provide a nurturing environment for your baby and young children.
New military parents need backup from their family, friends, unit and the entire military community. That’s why Military OneSource offers the New MilParent specialty consultation.
Parenting on the homefront
During military separations or deployment, you may face emotional, financial and day-to-day adjustments that can put a strain on your parenting skills.
Your installation’s Military and Family Support Center is a good resource for military families. They can help provide you with information about deployment support, family readiness groups, child care and youth programs, free confidential non-medical counseling and much more.
TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR PARENTING ON THE HOMEFRONTLeaving your child with a caregiver during deployment
Parents may encounter childcare needs during deployment. This is especially true for single and dual military parents. If you have to leave your children with a caregiver during deployment, planning for their care while you’re away is a top priority. Learn more about:
An official family care plan is required for military members. Plans help guide caregivers and provide important details about child care, school, medical care and family activities.
If you are a service member leaving your child with a caregiver during deployment, these tips can increase the chance of a successful transition and help things run smoothly while you’re away.
Take the guesswork out of deployment planning. Learn more about essential legal documents to create or update before you deploy.
Caregiving a deployed service member’s child
If you will be caring for a service member’s child or children during deployment, make sure you understand the service member’s wishes and some of the potential challenges awaiting you.
- Your service member most likely created a family care plan and other important legal documents. Make sure you have a copy of everything you need.
- As a legal guardian, in addition to resources available through Military OneSource, you may also be eligible for resources and support services through the Military Family Readiness System and the Exceptional Family Member Program for children with special needs
CARING FOR A DEPLOYED SERVICE MEMBER’S CHILD ARTICLES
How to handle separation issues for children
If you have questions about how to help children deal with issues that may arise from separation, reach out to your installation Military and Family Support Center. They can connect you with expert assistance from the Military and Family Life Counseling Program and connect you to other resources and deployment support services.
Resources, benefits & Military OneSource services for Parents & Guardians
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANSBENEFITS & MILITARY ONESOURCE SERVICES FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANSARTICLES FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS
- Military Deployment Support
- Thrive Helps Military Parents and Children
- Eligibility for Military OneSource
- The Defense Department Offers Expanded Hourly Child Care Service
- 12 Can’t-Miss Parenting Resources for Military Parents
- Parent Support Websites
- Military Parent Resource Center
Still have questions or need assistance? Military OneSource consultants are available 24/7 to help connect you with the resources and support you need.
Contact a Military OneSource consultant.
Call 800-342-9647, use international calling options, or schedule a live chat.
Related MilLife Guides
Learn about military bases worldwide. Get installation overviews, check-in procedures, housing, neighborhood information, contacts for programs and services, photos and more.
Your session will expire in 5 minutes.Click "Extend" below to stay logged in.
This site is for testing purposes only.If you are part of the general public, navigate to the public site. This site is solely for testing and approving site pages before they are released to the general public.