Summer Fun at
“Resilience is the ability to bounce back when life does not go the way that you think that it should. Resilience is dealing with the unpredictable and uncertain.”
Dr. Lisa Marotta
BOTH KRISTINE AND MICHAEL CORSER ARE MAJORS, AND THEIR FAMILY HAS EXPERIENCED 13 DUTY STATIONS AND 11 DEPLOYMENTS.
“Mya was outspoken with her feelings but Ava became very quiet and withdrawn,” recalled Amanda. “She seemed very indifferent, so I had a ‘come clean night’ with her, which is what my own mom would do with me growing up. It was a time for us to sit down and have a conversation with the understanding that I was not going to get angry with her but that I would help her work through whatever mess she was in.” When Amanda asked Ava how she liked Virginia and how she felt about making new friends, Ava broke down in tears. “So we started talking about how to be intentional with maintaining old friendships while also making new friends,” said Amanda. “When she did start making friends at her new school, I had her get their numbers so we could invite them over for pizza at our house. It really is important for parents to give their kids that safe space to talk through whatever they are feeling.” The Corsers also know all too well the importance of communication in their dual-military family. Parents Michael and Kristine are both Majors, Michael in the Active Duty Air Force and Kristine in the Air Force Reserve. The Corser kids have experienced several big life changes over the years, as Michael and Kristine have had 13 duty stations and 11 deployments, as well as countless stateside work trips and a short tour in Korea. Their oldest child, Damien, has attended 10 different schools. “Our family’s schedule is busy, constant and ever-changing,” said Kristine. “We’ve found that open and honest communication is key
to any process of change. As much as we can, we let our kids know what changes may or may not happen, how the process will go and what the expected outcome is.” They also create fun experiences to engage their children and prepare them for change. In addition to Damien, age 20, the Corsers have two daughters, Isabella, 14, and Adilyn, 3. “My husband and I love to plan special ways to announce our next move to the kids,” said Kristine. “Last time we sent them on a scavenger hunt throughout the house where they found clues that they pieced together to figure out where we were going. It is OK to have mixed feelings of sadness, loss, hope and joy. In the end, no matter where we go, we know we are in this together.” When it’s time to seek professional help Dr. Marotta advises that parents may want to seek professional help from a counselor if a child is stuck in their emotions and starting to think things like “there is something wrong with them or they are stupid.” Also, if a child is acting out, using maladaptive ways to cope (e.g., drugs, hanging out with friends instead of doing schoolwork) or avoiding their problem entirely, it may be time to seek professional help.
Spend the summer exploring the arts, playing stickball or tinkering in the lab!
FAMcamps will provide learning experiences for youth entering grades K-8 in an Indigenous- centered environment.
June & July 2022
Learn more at famok.org/famcamp
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2022 15
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