Navigating Change as a Family
In this episode of So, Mom…, Adele and I explore the challenges of navigating change as a family, reflecting on how constant relocations as a military family taught us the importance of resilience, adaptability, and building community.
Listen Now
Summary of Episode 2
I never thought I’d be a military wife. Having been an anti-war activist, I couldn’t have imagined myself packing up my family and moving to places I never anticipated.
When you have young children, you have to frame every disruption as an adventure—because they take their cues from you. I had to be the family cheerleader. Moving to Panama was especially challenging. When we arrived, it wasn’t what I expected. The base felt desolate, the living quarters sparse. Adele was only eight at the time, and I remember trying to make sense of a new reality while helping her adjust.
“We didn’t even have proper television—just a few hours of programming a day. But the outdoors became our sanctuary. The beaches, the mountains, the lush surroundings—it was nature that saved us.“
Despite the tough beginnings, we leaned into Panama’s natural beauty and used that time to connect as a family. One of the ways I found community was through starting a theater group on base.
The military was quite segregated, with officers and enlisted men living in different quarters. I wanted to create something that brought everyone together, so I decided to produce a play. It turned out to be more than I could have hoped for. Everyone pitched in, and it gave us something to rally around.
In this episode, Adele and I also talk about how these experiences of adapting and navigating change as a family shaped our family’s resilience.
“I never thought I’d be a military wife. Having been an anti-war activist, I couldn’t have imagined myself packing up my family and moving to places I never anticipated. ”
“I’ve always believed that life’s transitions don’t have to throw us into chaos. With the right mindset, they become opportunities for growth.”
Panama taught us that the strongest connections are built when you embrace challenges and find ways to thrive no matter the circumstances.
I hope our story reminds listeners that resilience and adapting to life transitions are skills you can carry with you wherever life takes you.
Subscribe To The Podcast
Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to Apple Podcast or Spotify now. Episodes for Season 1 drop every other Tuesday.
Leave a Reply