Deployment ideas

[Cindy]

So we've been trying to think of ideas to help Conner remember Daddy while he is gone. 10 months is a long time for a toddler to remember. I know once he gets home and is around him he'll be okay but I want to try my best to keep him fresh in his mind.

So we are going to be making video's. Ones of Eric reading books to Conner, because he loves Daddy to read his books to him. We're going to try to tape them while he is sitting with him, if that doesn't work we're going to tape them when he goes to bed.

He's also making him a Birthday video because Eric will be missing his second Birthday. He's also getting him something before he leaves so that it's from him. Not that Conner will really know but that's what we're going to do.

He's also going to make a video of just talking to him and telling him he loves him and what not.

We are also going to go to a build-a-bear and make a special bear from Daddy to Conner. He's going to make it say something from him so he can hear his voice. I also read to spray things with their cologne so we may do that, I dunno.

We'll obviously have pictures and everything of Daddy around. We're also going to go get Family pictures done, and I want some of just him and Conner to have for Conner. I'll also get something that Conner can carry a picture of Daddy around. Not sure what. Right now he has a teething picture book that we put pictures in while Eric was away a few months ago that he still grabs and says "dada" and kisses it because that's what we did.

Okay now that, that was long winded, and if you made it through I love you. ;) I just wanted to see if anyone else had any other suggestions or things we can change to help Conner.

Thanks ladies :support:

[lilbunnygirl]

Have you looked into the hug a hero dolls? https://www.hugahero.com/store/hugahero-dolls A friend of mine's husband is a Merchant Marine, so he's gone 4-6 months at a time & her 3 year old looooves his "daddy pillow".

Have Eric wear a few t-shirts to sleep in or around the house for the next week or so so they smell like daddy, give him one then keep the rest in a ziploc bag so you can keep the smell in and swap them out as you go (he can always send home replacements)

[Cindy]

I seen those dolls when I was googling. I wasn't sure if Conner would care much for it but it is a good idea!

I like the shirt idea.. Because like you said he can always send replacements home too!

[Goosey]

I like the idea of a shirt to wear or lay on in bed that has daddy's scent.

I also know a lady who did a flipbook for her son when her hubby left. It was like index cards that she put pictures on of her husband or her husband and son doing various things and that way she could daily flip a picture and tell the story.

[BabyLove08]

I think the shirt is a great way to keep his scent around and Conner can wear it or sleep with it like a blanket! I really like the build a bear idea 2 :lovey:

[Cindy]

We built a bear online last night since the closest one is an hour away. It's a camo bear and he has to call a number and record a message for Conner so when he hugs it it'll be daddy talking. It's cute!

[Meshell]

I think those are all great ideas. We are going to do the video tape stories. I have an email about doing them while he's deployed too, so I will send you the info through here or FB. I am going to have to steal some of these ideas. I like the flip book. I think I'll do one of pics of just Will & DH. I can't believe this is here already!!! :(


On a side note......I must be really tired and sensitive today because when I read this I started crying. I don't want our boys to be w/o their Daddies!!!! :cry:

[AddiesMomma]

I like the cologne idea. I have to admit it's because when Kirk and I were first dating and soooooooooo in love, we had to spend a week or so apart and he gave me one of his childhood stuffed animals covered in his cologne. I slept with it every night and it made me feel better about him being away.

The videos and the bear are both awesome ideas too.

[Cindy]

Michelle, I know the feeling. As much as I know I am going to miss Eric, every time I think about Eric being away from Conner for almost an entire year it breaks my heart. I don't want him to be without his Daddy. :( This just sucks! I got your FB message but both links took me to an error page :sad:

[Cindy]

Julie, I was always the same way when Eric has been gone. I kept a bottle of cologne that he always wore and spreads a shirt of his that I slept with every time he was gone. I actually still have that shirt lol

[Heather]

Cindy I think these are all really creative and wonderful ideas. (((HUGS)))

[Bootysaurus]

:hug:

I have no ideas. Hm...maybe a video of him giving fatherly advice...things he wants Conner to know? I mean...um...morbid thoughs :( I'm sorry. I just know that if Henry was leaving on deployment, I would want him to leave videos for the "older" Aidans as well.

:hug:

You are awesome!!

[Ry&ChansMommy]

I have no ideas right now. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[Farah]

Cindy, those are FANTASTIC ideas. Will DH have access to Skype? You could do Skype sessions if he does. I know that helps Charlie with my parents. :support:

[Cindy]

Well for the first few months we may be able to do web cam or skype cause he will be in Spain but if he goes to Africa he won't have much internet access so I'm not sure yet. It would be awesome if we can do skype for a while that will help a lot!

[BabyLove08]

i thought of this today! it's kinda like a flip book but my nieces love looking through the shutterfly books their mom makes! you could make a shutterfly book with lots of pictures of Conner and Daddy! :lovey: