There is nothing easy about Defence Life. For the partners of serving members, it takes every ounce of strength, determination, creativity and resilience we have to navigate this world for ourselves, much less guide our families through too!
Scroll down to read all of my Defence Life blog posts! or check out featured posts here:
Most Recent
My heart is to make this a community where we can learn from each other, because no one should be doing this life alone!
From a Defence Wife who learned everything the hard way: I hope you’ll recognise my struggles and achievements in your own journey and know that you’re not alone! From long separations, to household management, Army culture-shock, new postings, Defence housing and everything in-between: here you’ll find my honest thoughts on the experience of being a military spouse, along with any tips and techniques I've learned along the way which might help simplify your life as an Army wife and help you feel a little more at home in the world of Defence.
Jessica xo
Life as an Army wife CAN be a struggle, but together; maybe it can be a life where we thrive, instead of just survive…
I wish I'd known this before becoming a Defence Wife: there's a mad scramble to prepare for the unknown before each and every absence…
I remember our first full time year of Australian Defence life and just how woefully unprepared I was for the plethora of chaotic events that would unfold in my husband's absence (a.k.a Murphy's law of military life: anything that can go wrong while your serving member is completely inaccessible… WILL go wrong).
I wish I'd known this before becoming a Defence wife: the challenges of starting over and over again…
After a while, Military spouse life becomes its own familiar rhythm; sometimes it feels daunting, but daring - fearless, but also fear-inducing. Yet something that throws me off each and every time we relocate, is the overwhelming pile of admin we need to complete with each change of address.
I remember thinking so many times back when I was a brand new defence wife, how much I wished I'd had a friend, relative or mentor in the Australian army world - a sisterly type - who would share with me all the things I didn't know.
Exactly what was I supposed to be preparing myself for? What were the hardships I didn't know were coming?
I want to share with you one of those tidbits of information I wish I'd had someone to share with me back before I became a military spouse and mama: that the first and last week of every serving member's absence are an absolute nightmare; it's normal! And you will survive them.