Product Description

As anyone with a spouse in uniform knows, the military offers families neither geographical stability nor guarantees of life under one roof. Those conditions make it tough to keep a marriage together, raise good kids, and maintain some semblance of normalcy, but help is on the way. Jacey Eckhart’s new guide navigates readers through military life on the homefront. Aiming her advice at the wife—male spouses, she says, need their own book—she covers issues from the first day in the "fortress" to the last day the husband is piped ashore with humor and encouragement. An Air Force brat herself, Eckhart swore she would never enter the military, but married the first Navy man she dated and over the past seventeen years has raised three children, moved thirteen times, and tackled five deployments. She argues that being able to manage military life is not a secret some wives know and others don’t, but rather a set of skills to be acquired.

Eckhart presents the realities and then offers some solutions for the married-but-single parent, starting out on the bottom rung of the career ladder with each move, and worrying if military life is hurting the kids. She helps newlyweds and long-marrieds alike better understand the people who are drawn to military service and find ways to fit into the military community without losing a sense of self. Her guide offers helpful ideas about managing the demands of a teenager during a move, finding playmates for toddlers in new neighborhoods, and even telling mothers-in-law why they shouldn’t be at the homecoming. She also lists methods of finding full and part-time work. From pre-deployment work-ups through Christmas blues and post-deployment problems, Eckhart and her guide are at the homefront ready to help.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64159 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Jacey Eckhart writes a twice-weekly newspaper column called "The Homefront" for the Virginian Pilot in Norfolk. She regularly speaks to groups about the problems of deployment and military marriage and has been a guest on the "Today Show."

Customer Reviews

Even a girl born into military can learn something!
I picked up this book after going to a seminar put on by the author. I am the daughter of two retired service members, a veteran myself, and a military wife. I got the book because the author was just too funny and very interesting. I didn't expect to learn much of anything I didn't already know. Boy was I wrong! I recommend this book to EVERYONE marrying into the military. You'll learn a lot and die laughing.

Better than I thought
This book was way better than I thought it would be, I have been a military something for most of my life (grandaughter, niece, girlfriend and wife for both the "old" army and now the "new") and still cling to the "old Army" ways and this book was a good fit for me. Not a lot of whining and fluff but honest feelings and answers. Thanks for writing it... I do wish someone would write a book about military wives that don't have kid though.

I wish this book was out when I was a newlywed...and it's still a great read for us "seasoned" wives.
A friend couldn't say enough great things about this book, & I have highly recommended this book to other friends. It's an easy read that I wish was out when I first married into the military. Jacey talks about issues many of us face &- though difficult- aways has a realistic & positive outlook. Newlywed, "sesoned," enlisted & officer friends have thoroughly enjoyed it. Jacey makes me want to be a better person. The book reads like Jacey is sitting with a friend and sharing. It's funny and gets to the heart of difficult times as well. A must read for any military wife!