MFRI celebrates the Month of the Military Child

Navy family hugs near the shore

Every April MFRI celebrates the Month of the Military Child, showing appreciation for approximately 2 million military children who serve alongside their parents.

Military children play an important role in the armed forces community. That’s because their parent’s service requires of them daily sacrifices and can create unique challenges when compared to their civilian peers.

Ways to honor military children

Celebrate Military Kids! April is the Month of the Military Child

Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time for communities to honor these children. It’s a time to say, “Thank you for your service.”

There are many things you can do to say thank you. You can celebrate Purple Up Day by wearing purple on April 14th. You can buy military-friendly books for your local library. Your business can offer discounts to military families. Consider downloading and sharing MFRI’s How to Help series. Each issue provides evidence-based guidance on how a particular community or profession can help military families, including children.

The DOD encourages communities to plan special events in April to honor military children. “These efforts and special events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle,” the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) writes. Learn more on the DODEA’s website.

View the Military Child Education Coalition Month of the Military Child tool kit for additional ideas on how to celebrate military children this month.

View Military OneSource resources, including links to virtual celebrations and an appreciation kit just for military children.