When Henry Miller ran down the parade field at Fort Hood, Texas, and jumped into his father\u2019s arms to welcome Army Maj. Matt Miller back from deployment last month, he was one of nearly 2 million children in America whose parents are part of the total force, and one of more than 1.1 million of those with at least one active-duty parent, according to the Defense Department. It\u2019s important to remember during April, the Month of the Military Child, that kids such as Henry serve, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six-year-old Henry will move to his seventh home this summer, slightly more than the average military child who will move six to nine times through high school, says the Pentagon. That\u2019s six to nine times start over making friends, getting to know teachers, learning about their neighborhoods like those close to Fort Hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often, these military kids get along with just one parent while the other is deployed, for extended periods of time. They navigate homework, holidays and all of life\u2019s childhood ups and downs sometimes with only their mom or their dad to help out. It\u2019s a heavier lift for single-parent military kids, who find a home with a relative or family friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\t