Military life often presents unique challenges, especially for families who must navigate long deployments while balancing everyday responsibilities. One mother recently shared her experience of attending Home-Start Portsmouth - The Nurturing Programme, funded by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), during her husband's deployment. Her journey from apprehension to newfound confidence highlights the importance of community, peer support, and the power of being open about one's struggles.
The mother, whose husband was deployed to an unsafe area, self-referred to the programme after coming across it on Home-Start’s social media channels. At that time, she was preparing for what she knew would be a challenging time: caring for her young child (aged 20 months at the start of support) as a solo parent while also balancing work. As she explained in the early stages, she was worried about the enormity of the task ahead—solo parenting for the first time while her husband was in a dangerous situation.
"I am feeling worried about my husband deploying to an unsafe area and solo parenting whilst working for the first time and balancing the juggle"
the mother shared at the beginning of the extensive programme.
Her initial fears were increased when her young son struggled to settle into the creche provided during the sessions, leaving her anxious about whether she could fully participate. Despite her early apprehension, she remained committed and attended 10 out of the 11 sessions. Her determination to seek support and connect with other parents proved invaluable.
As the weeks passed, the programme’s structure and peer support helped her to open-up more about her personal challenges. She found herself reflecting on her own upbringing and how it might influence her parenting choices today. These insights, shared in a safe, supportive environment, allowed her to process her emotions and better understand the delicate balance of parenting while under pressure.
One of the most significant aspects of The Nurturing Programme was the opportunity to connect with other Navy wives who were in similar situations. Sharing her concerns about her husband’s deployment and the stress of trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for her child allowed her to feel understood, and the solidarity of the group provided a sense of relief. Knowing that others in the group were navigating similar uncertainties helped her feel less isolated.
“My husband has told me that he worries about me less since starting the course. The techniques that I have learned so far have stopped me feeling so overwhelmed and this has been evident to him just via phone calls and messages”.
The programme didn’t just offer her emotional relief but also created a space where she could form meaningful relationships. One particularly strong connection was forged with another mother who was going through her first deployment with a very young baby. This mum was struggling with the enormity of caring for an infant while her partner was away, and the two women became a crucial source of support for each other. The encouragement and shared understanding helped both mums cope with the challenges they were facing.
Through these shared experiences, the mother who had initially been apprehensive became a source of strength and advice for others in the group. Her journey from uncertainty to confidence is a testament to the effectiveness of The Nurturing Programme in providing not just practical parenting support but emotional and social connection during a time of separation and stress.
By the end of the course, she had grown in her ability to manage the many roles she was juggling and had built a stronger network of support with other military spouses. The course not only helped her cope with her husband's deployment but also empowered her to better navigate the parenting challenges she had initially feared. By the end of the programme, the difference was clear, which was shown in her final feedback:
“The course helped to bring a sense of calm and support each week, and I know that my husband was glad that I had extra support whilst he was away.”
This mother’s experience showcases the impact of programmes like the RNRMC funded Nurturing Programme. When Naval spouses are provided with a platform to share their experiences, receive peer support, and gain valuable parenting insights, they are better equipped to face the difficulties of deployment with resilience.
