Veterans Wives Group

Our kids' stories

This is a new feature to encourage input from other members of the family, who have lived with a dad who has been to Vietnam. The age range for families is very broad, as lots of guys have married again and have young kids, there are some very young kids, and there are others that are in their thirties, or even older if they were born before their dad went away.

The reason this section is now available, is because one of our girls was at a friends and was given Sandy's story to read. She was so impressed she brought it home with her, for us to use in our stories page.

Interesting to note, that although this was written as a school project, Sandys' dad did not let her submit it at the time. However he is the one who gave it to Kay to share it with us. Thankyou Sandys' dad!

I would love to have other stories from the sons and daughters of our Veterans. If you would like to add your story, please send it to sylviacondon@whoshere.com so we can share it with others, and that you are not alone. As the book available from the counselling services says "I thought it was just me" there are lots of sons and daughters who think that way; it is up to you to share with each other.

It may be that there is a funny story from your childhood, or perhaps something you thought was unusual, or rather frightening. Maybe just that your dad always sat in the same chair with his back to the wall, where he could see everything, always watching, protecting and ready to jump into action. You probably thought you were never able to do the same as other kids. Whatever it is we'd like to hear about it.

Some of you may have felt that you had to leave home to "find yourselves", that may have been to go overseas, move out to live with friends, or marry early. It is amazing how many first sons went overseas, although that maybe the time we live in as well.

It's hard to live with a powerful father figure, and everyone deals with it in his or her own way. Some of us mums have probably been a bit wimpy, I know I have been, but hey, that's the way we survived!

We'd love to hear how you are coping with the challenges you have been thrown by being born into a family with a vet for a dad, and by sharing you are helping each other.

I believe that as the son or daughter of a vet, you are able to cope with, and achieve anything you really want to do, because of the challenges you have faced as kids. You are very strong, even if you do not think so.