The Deployment Playbook

A Beta Program created for parents of 3–5 year olds navigating deployment seasons (before, during, and after deployment)

What deployment feels like through your little one’s eyes…

BEFORE

Your child watches you fold uniforms and pack bags.

They sense change is coming.

One evening, as you tuck them in, they whisper,

“Will you still read me bedtime stories when you go away?”

Your heart aches because you don’t know how to explain it all… and you can already see the worry in their eyes. 😥

DURING

Weeks go by. Some mornings they wake up quiet, not wanting breakfast.


At night they cling to you, tears falling as they ask,
“When will Daddy come back? Does he miss me?”


Meltdowns become more frequent. Their smile fades in moments you never expected. 😔


You feel torn—wanting to be strong for them while your own heart is stretched thin.

AFTER

The homecoming is joyful… but also confusing. 🤔


Suddenly there’s another parent in the mix, routines shift again, and you hear them ask softly,


“Why is Daddy leaving again? Do I still get to sit with him at night?”


You’re grateful, but exhausted, wondering how to hold your child’s heart through these constant changes.

You’re left filling in the blanks, hoping you’re saying (and doing) the right things, but your thoughts sound like…

“Am I giving my kids the support they truly need?”

Introducing

The Deployment Playbook

A therapist‑guided, evidence‑based resource designed to support your child’s heart and mind before, during, and after deployment.

This is not a collection of random Pinterest activities.

Each page is carefully designed with real families in mind, so you don’t need endless time or supplies to make a difference. These will help your child:

Name and express big feelings they don’t yet have words for

Feel connected to a deployed parent even from miles away

Build calming routines that make goodbyes and reunions easier

Strengthen their sense of safety and trust in the middle of change

Create playful memories that carry them through tough days

Hi, I’m Dr. Monica!

I’m a military spouse, a mom of three, and a therapist who deeply understands the highs and lows of deployment life.

I created The Deployment Playbook because I’ve seen how our youngest children—especially those tender ages of 3 to 5—often carry big feelings without the words or tools to express them.

As parents, we’re left trying to hold it all together, wondering how to help them feel safe and supported while juggling everything else deployment brings.

Drawing from my background in psychology and play therapy, this playbook gives you simple, intentional activities that nurture security, connection, and emotional growth—even when a parent is miles away, one meaningful, gentle activity at a time.

Recognized By

Dr. Monica believes every military family deserves the right kind of support, but not everyone has access to counseling or therapy right away.

What is the Beta Program?

And meanwhile, parents are left wondering, “What can I do today to help my child feel safe and connected?”

This Beta Program is our way of reaching out first—to give you early access to something powerful and meaningful.


You’ll be part of a community of parents who care not only about their own children, but about shaping a resource that will support countless other families walking this same road.

Because no parent nor child should feel left behind

The Deployment Playbook

What’s included when you join the Beta Program ($19):

  • A 1‑month sample calendar filled with 4 weeks of therapist‑designed activities to support your little one

  • Early access to The Deployment Playbook before it’s available to everyone else

  • A chance to share your thoughts and help shape a resource that will support countless other families

  • The joy of knowing your input is making a real difference for parents and children navigating deployment

And as a thank‑you for your feedback, you’ll also receive

A Deployment Emotions Wheel (both for you and your kids)

All the Little Details, Right Here

  • This resource is thoughtfully designed for parents and/or caregivers of children aged 3 to 5.

    It’s especially helpful if your family is waiting for counseling, feeling stuck on how to support your child emotionally, or wanting to stay proactive before, during, and after deployment.

  • While The Deployment Playbook was created with military families in mind, any family navigating extended separations such as humanitarian missions, work abroad, or first responder duty can benefit from the activities and guidance inside.

  • You’ll have a clear, thoughtful plan to support your child emotionally, without feeling like you have to figure it out on your own.

    It’s a guide that helps you nurture their heart while navigating the challenges of deployment together.

  • You’ll receive a downloadable PDF via email right after you sign up—print it or use it digitally!

  • The activities use common household items, so there’s no need to buy anything fancy.

    It is kept simple and accessible and you can easily gather what you need from what’s already at home.