Insanity Optional

Women in general, have an unrealistic idea of Military life. I blame most of these delusions on television and movies. I'll never forget the scene in an Officer and a Gentleman, when he comes in and sweeps her off her feet in perfect uniform.
When you see a movie or tv show, its rare that you don't see the "formal" gathering.
The tea parties or the FRG get togethers. Everyone always seems so happy and dedicated to the cause of supporting their man in uniform. You are never shown the darker sides of military life.

The sides where we sit at home for days on end with no social interaction. The days where even if something were to happen we don't know who to turn to. The days that get to be too much for some women to handle, and commit the unthinkable.
The rocking kids to sleep because they had a nightmare that a "bad" guy had daddy.
The days that everything you can imagine falling apart, does.

So you can pretty much tell which wife is cut out for Army life within the first 6 months. It has become almost an artform. I'm not saying its something that cannot be learned or adjusted, but you can tell by the way one acts to any amount of alone time, social interactions and crisis in general.

If you are the type of woman, who doesn't need a mans constant attention, you'll be fine. If you are the type of girl who marrys a soldier thinking Army Wives is real, you are pretty much screwed. If you believe that Army wives are perfect in any way, shape or form....well I'm gonna leave that statement alone! lol

There is a reason, depression rates amongst Military wives are so high. Oddly enough, its not typically the depression that will put us over the edge. Its the inability to accept that depression is a problem and the ability to deal with such a thing. Now I'm not saying that all Army wives need to get up in the morning and down a handfull of anti-depressants. I'm just saying we need to accept our lot in life, and learn how to handle it. If you are the type of person who gets easily offended, upset and don't have a firm grasp on your sense of self, you will never survive this life. However, the ones who can accept they are who they are, and be ok with that will be just fine. We put too much pressure on ourselves rather its to prove the media right, or to defy a stereotype. We are who we are, and if thats not enough for someone else, then maybe they should adjust who they are.

I tell new or expecting Army wives the same thing I tell my children. Don't try to fit in, make other people fit you.
You don't have to be crazy to be an Army wife, but it sure helps!