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Bridging the Gap: Helping Your Teenager Navigate a PCS Move
If you’re a military spouse like myself, then you know that PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves are an inevitable part of our lives. However, for our children, especially teenagers, these transitions can be particularly challenging. Leaving familiar surroundings and parting with friends can be emotionally taxing. Yet, as parents who have gone through the same, we’re equipped with the insights to help them manage these changes. The first step is to understand that your teenager’s feelings are valid. Uprooting from a familiar environment and adapting to a new one is a challenging task for anyone, let alone a teenager. They are leaving behind friends, schools, and their comfort zone.…
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A Companion in Solitude: Coping with Loneliness during Deployment and PCS Alone
As military spouses, we face unique challenges that test our resilience and grit. One such challenge is navigating a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move alone while our partner is deployed. The physical distance combined with the emotional stress of change can sometimes feel isolating. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that while it’s undoubtedly tough, it’s also a journey where we discover our true strength. Understanding Loneliness Let’s first acknowledge that feeling lonely during this time is entirely normal. You are not alone in these feelings. Missing your spouse, grappling with the responsibility of a move, and stepping into an unfamiliar environment all contribute to a sense…
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PCS to Hawaii: Finding the Right School for Your Keiki
“Aloha!” and welcome to your new adventure in Hawaii. As a fellow military spouse who has walked in your shoes, I know that PCSing is more than just moving from one location to another. It’s about uprooting our lives, our families, and quite often, the routines that keep us grounded, particularly when it comes to our children’s education. That’s why finding the right school in Hawaii for your child is so essential, and I’m here to help you navigate through it. Understanding Hawaii’s Educational Landscape The first thing to note about schooling in Hawaii is that it’s unique. Unlike most states, Hawaii has a single, statewide school district divided into…
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Comparing Your O’ahu Housing Options
If you look on the Facebook military family and spouse pages, you most likely have seen lots of scary posts about housing on O’ahu. You will also see a lot of people commenting with differing opinions on whether living on base, renting or buying is the best option. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best housing option for you and your family. The best option for you will depend on a few factors: your desired lifestyle, your family/household size, your monthly housing budget, how long you will be on island, and your long-term financial goals. Keep reading for some tips on factors to consider when choosing your housing…
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Pet Moving Companies in Hawaii
With the stress of moving, having the option of a pet shipper to take control of shipping your pet to and from Hawaii is such a nice convenience. With using a pet shipper, you don’t have to worry about paperwork, transportation, or even a kennel in most cases. This takes a huge weight off of your shoulders because finding a flight to accommodate your pets can be tricky depending on the size, breed, and quantity of animals you have. If you want to go the pet shipper route, The PCS Planners have put together a list of a few pet shippers that can assist with moving your pets to and…
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Family Friendly Hikes on O’ahu
If you’re the outdoorsy type, Hawaii has so much to offer in terms of outdoor activities. More specifically, it has incredible natural landscapes and you’re guaranteed to experience nothing short of beautiful when going on hikes. This article will highlight family-friendly hiking trails or trails for beginner hikers! If you decide to try one of these trails, don’t forget to take pictures and tag us so we can see your adventures! Kolekole Trail 1492 Trimble Rd.Schofield Barracks, HI Take Trimble Rd all the way to the end where it’ll then turn into Kolekole Rd. Proceed through the gate and down the road until you see a dirt parking lot on…
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Photographers on O’ahu That Can Capture Your Family’s Best Moments!
You’ve made it to Hawaii and have seen how beautiful the island is, but your camera can’t quite capture it. Do you know who can? One of these two photographers whose work speaks for itself, Katrina Spain Photography and Following Seas Photography by Ashleigh Lauber! Between these two photographers, they can capture any moment you’re family wishes such as family, maternity, newborn, birthday, and solo sessions! They also offer a variety of mini-sessions. You won’t regret booking a session with one of these two. Katrina Spain Photography Katrina Spain’s photography uses minimal props as she wants to be able to capture the true beauty of your family and the natural…
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Pet-Friendly TLA Approved Hotels
Moving to Hawaii is exciting, but it can be stressful as well! You must book your flights, make sure your household goods are in order, book a hotel, and everything in between. If you have pets you’re bringing, then that stress can be magnified! One of the most difficult things to do is find a hotel within your TLA (temporary lodging allowance) that allows pets. That is one thing in itself, but you want to find somewhere that does not have an expensive daily pet rate, pet weight limit, is not in an ideal spot, etc. This article will showcase a few popular hotels in no specific order around O’ahu…
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One Company That’s Paving the Way for Work From Home Opportunities for Military Spouses; Empower Employ!
As Military Spouses, we understand how difficult it can be to have a career when you’re constantly moving. It can even be challenging to find jobs because some companies know you will not be there for too long or don’t want to invest in you to grow within the company.Work-from-home opportunities have become more popular since COVID-19. They’re also extremely beneficial for many different groups, one of which is military spouses. One company that has helped spouses find work-from-home positions is Empower Employ! In this article, we’ll discuss who Empower Employ is, what they do, and how you can join their community to find your next remote position! Empower Employ…
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PCSing to or From Hawaii? Here Are a Few Major Airline’s Pet Policies!
So, you just received word or orders that you’re PCSing to Hawaii?! That’s SO exciting, and we’re sure you’ll have TONS of fun! Oh, you have pets too, and not sure how or who to book flights with? Absolutely no problem at all! The PCS Planners have put together a few pet policies for major airlines, all in one place! We’d like to make your PCS as smooth as possible, especially when you have fur babies to move with. One of the biggest questions is “who do I book flights with that’ll allow my animals too?”, and we’ve compiled a list of policies to help you choose the best option…
Here to take the stress out of your PCS.
