8Unfortunately, there are very few resources for military (and deployed civilian) fathers, who are looking for guidance on how to be in close touch with their families backhome. The Military Father, written by the countryG s leading authority on fathers andfamilies, will fill that gap, providing deployed dads with everything they need to knowto stay (or become) involved with and connected to their family regardless of the distancethat separates them.

Part I of this essential sourcebook covers pre-deployment and explores the profoundeffect a dadG s absence will have on his spouse, his children, and himself. It alsoprovides extensive pre-deployment checklists and detailed tips aimed at preparing thedad and his family for separation and long-distance communication. Part II, DuringDeployment, explains how to stay involved and connected when youG re far away, andincludes specific strategies and activities designed to help dads and their family remainclose across time and distance. Part III, Coming Home, offers advice on post-deploymenttimes from preparing to come home and surmounting the challenges of returningto military or civilian life. In addition, the book includes a chapter on how dads cansupport a spouse when sheG s the one being deployed, and a comprehensive listing ofresources available to soldiers and their families.

Flavored with the authorG s trademark wit, warmth, and intelligence, this guidecombines a wealth of knowledge from experts, scientific studies, and interviews withscores of military fathers and their families. The Military Father includes cartoons thatcomplement the text, solicited from deployed military or civilian fathers and familymembers, ranging from those on active duty to veterans.