Children
Children can experience a sense of insecurity during a parent's absence. Their world may consist of a mother, a father and a home, which together create a strong basis for security. Remove one, and the children have lost a part of their security.
One parent families will need to put additional thought into the type of care you choose for your child. Not all families have built-in support and care arrangements for children, and some are unable to draw on the services of an extended family. Whatever you choose, make sure your children will be safe in an environment where they feel secure.
If children feel insecure while a parent is absent it can show up in various ways. Unacceptable behaviour of varying degrees, bed-wetting and abnormally poor school results are common, but these symptoms are not always attributed to the separation. Some children are very good at hiding their insecurities and fears, and it can be difficult to diagnose the cause of poor or altered behaviour. Children do worry, and it is only natural that they will be upset about a parent's absence from their life.
If you are having difficulty in preparing your children for the impending separation, or if behavioural problems are debilitating to them, consider seeking professional assistance (for more information, see the brochure describing the Antarctic Division's Employee Assistance Program). Keep the lines of communication open with your children, and try to understand how they are feeling about the separation. Reassure them that you will be coming home, and don't shrug off their fears as being 'silly'. It can be a very painful time for children.
Good communication systems now make it easy and inexpensive to maintain good contact with your children. Facsimile services provide an avenue for children of all ages to share their drawing etc, and to write personal messages to you in Antarctica.
School projects on Antarctica have often been undertaken while a parent is there, and telexes, letters and facsimiles to your child's school describing the work, the environment, wildlife and the life you live in Antarctica are of great interest and value. They make your child feel involved, closer to you, and very proud.
So involve your children in your new and exciting life when possible, and share your experience of Antarctica in a way that they can understand and remember. Make your year a valuable and happy memory for your entire family.
