A mother slit her three very young children’s throats last week.

She was also a military spouse. This fact was noted at the very bottom of the story, right beside the fact that her husband had recently returned from deployment.

Officers said she repeated the phrase, “he never helps,” referring to her husband.

I want her, and every other young military spouse, to know they are not alone. This is a very difficult life.

By Tiffany Shedd

I don’t know about you, but this Mommy needs a break.

A break from cleaning up dirty dishes, putting away laundry, picking up hundreds of toys, making dinner, grocery shopping - I think you get my point. I need a break. As a stay-at-home mom, that break typically doesn’t come.

The last thing you want to do in frigid temperatures is don a business suit.

Sweat pants, hot cocoa and warm blankets are the good stuff about the winter months.

But when the alarm goes off at 5 a.m. on a Wednesday in February, you can’t just schlep to work in your flannel pajamas.

Business dress has to be maintained, no matter the weather, said Ann Marie Sabath, author of “Beyond Business Casual: What to Wear to Work If You Want to Get Ahead.”

“You are preparing for your next position,” she said. “You are an individual.  You are a professional.”

One of the many things I have learned as a military spouse is to always do my research and be not only an advocate for myself, but for my children as well.

Whether it be a PCS, our medical care, future possible duty stations or pretty much any life altering circumstance for my family, I am constantly reading, asking questions and taking notes. I am very fortunate that my husband values my opinion and takes into consideration what is right for not only his career but our family as well.