Photo CR: sisterhoodbdus.org
We first caught wind of The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs (BDUs are army battle uniforms), created by Moranda Hern, 16, and Kaylei Deakin, 16, back in September. The Sisterhood was created to help military daughters like themselves cope with a parent’s deployment.
Lots of military daughters in their teens suffer from depression, eating disorders, cutting and loneliness when a parent leaves. Friends don’t know how to help, so instead of supporting, they ditch, leaving these girls with even lower self-confidence and higher stress levels.
Mordana and Kaylei have the scoop on life with a parent who serves and how YOU can help.
On a mission
“We want to unite, inspire and lead,” Moranda says. The girls are setting up a support network made up of military daughters like themselves. This way, teens going through similar experiences will have access to one another.
What it's like
Having a parent in the military is not like having a parent on a business trip. Kaylei explains that communication is limited and it’s rare to know exactly where her dad is. Does she, or other military daughters, ever get resentful when their 'rents are called abroad? “The military is a community and a lifestyle. And we’re absolutely proud of our parents,” says Kaylei.
How to cope
The military often sponsors outreach events where families can get together and share their experiences. Kaylei learned she wasn’t alone when she went to her first outreach group. “I thought I was the only girl having so much trouble going through it. And, of course I learned that wasn’t true,” she says. The Sisterhood is a unique spinoff of the usual outreach programs since it focuses on teens ages 13 to 18.
Giving back
The Sisterhood doesn't just provide support. It also allows military daughters to serve others. The girls feel that reaching out can actually help ease their own problems. “I want other girls to know how important community service is is, especially when you are hurting,” says Moranda.
Don't have a parent in the military but wanna help?
Got a friend, neighbor or classmate who has a family member in the service? “I think that non-military girls should understand that when you have a friend whose parent deploys, you don’t have to know what to say or what they’re going through," says Moranda. Her advice? "Just be there. Just hang out. Call. Talk or don’t talk, but be there.”
-Liz Lebedda
Here are other ways you can help RIGHT NOW!
CLICK HERE for a 411 on the soliders fighting for us.
Like to crochet but your friends and family already have a wardrobe full of your scarves and blankets? This charity knits and crochets hats to keep our military warm. CLICK HERE to volunteer.
Put together a care package for a marine. This site tells you where to send your package and what kinds of things are good to put in it. One item you wouldn’t expect? Beanie babies! The marines give them to the local children. CLICK HERE to help.
CLICK HERE for another site that'll help you craft and send the ultimate care package.
Donate new pillows to soldiers so they have a comfy place to rest their heads at night. CLICK HERE to find out more.
BLOG IT OUT! What do you do when you're feeling down? Do you think helping others is a way of helping yourself?
If you want more info on Moranda, Kaylei and The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDU’s, check out sisterhoodbdus.org.
Read this first article RIGHT HERE.
BY GL ON 10/23/2009 7:00:00 AM