Reintegrating with Partners Module Three

Activity: Rubber Band Hand Rules: You may NOT use… 1. Your other hand 2. Any other body part 3. Any object

Three Things Re-establishing Connections Celebrating Change Managing Expectations

Activity: Three Doors What was the most difficult part of deployment? What did you miss most about home? How do you want to celebrate homecoming?

Open Communication Intimacy Deployment Homecoming Relationship Play when you want to … 1.Feel closer 2.Improve Communication 3.Have fun together

Building Trust Pay attention to your partner’s needs Be a person of your word Take responsibility for your actions Agree to forgive and forgo Do not be shy about seeking professional help

Balancing Time v v v v Alone TimeCouple TimeFamily Time Don’t feel guilty or fear that love is lost Get a baby sitter and ask relatives to visit after you had a chance to reunite Balance time with children and extended family

Activity: Quick Change Exchange

Finding Common Ground How will what has changed make your relationship stronger? What has not changed that is more important than what has changed?

Change is Constant What support do you need? What makes you uncomfortable? How is this change positive? How can you accept this change?

Communicating Expectations

Assumption Gumption Don’t expect…  this reunion to be like any other  everyone to adjust at the same rate Expect…  an adjustment period for everything  some things will be different

Tips for Intimacy Discuss feelings, frustrations or anxieties Do what you did when you first fell in love Start with touch Communicate your love Talk about sex Prioritize intimacy

Activity: Intimacy Journals Offer two suggestions to help overcome their challenges What is creating the stress or anxiety about intimacy?

 Court before homecoming day  Make “love” every day  Expect intimacy to be awkward  Tell your partner you love and appreciate them  Respect and trust each other Tips from Couples

 Deployment and homecoming tips  Installation, community and national resources Deployment Support Handbook

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