SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- After giving the Air Force 11 hours of your day there are still bills to pay, dinner to cook, a spouse that needs attention, clothes to wash, dry and put away, groceries to buy, a house to clean and errands to run.
Next, add a baby that insists on crying non-stop the whole evening. Circumstances such as these can make those with even the most iron will, cave under the pressure.
This stress affects new parents especially, to include parents with other children who have just had or are expecting another new born.
Each child is different, and as such what worked for one new born may not work for another. Figuring out all these subtle nuances amongst the chaos of life can be quite difficult.
The Air Force recognizes the difficulty, responsibility and level of commitment needed to properly raise a child. In an effort to give Airmen the tools needed for success both on and off duty, the New Parent Support Program was initiated.
This program is available for expecting parents, as well as parents with newborns or children up to the age of three. The program is currently comprised of four courses: "Pre/ Postnatal Yoga, Newborn Care Class, Childbirth Education," and "Dads 101."
The program is free and designed to educate and prepare parents both before and after conception.
"With the many potential stressors that accompany being a part of the military family," said Deborah Wilson, 20th Medical Group family advocacy nurse, "we feel the more information parents have the better they are able to make informed decisions and good choices."
Feelings of being unprepared, under qualified and the fear of being inadequate as a parent are not uncommon. Such feelings often feed into parents becoming overwhelmed and reaching out for help through the program.
"I asked an expectant dad why being a new parent can be overwhelming," said Michelle Vance, 20th MDGfamily advocacy nurse. "He said, because a baby is totally dependent on you."
"I thought this was a wonderful answer," she continued. "It makes one think about how a child can change your life forever."
Parents also have the option of home visitations from either Vance or Wilson. These visitations are not mandatory, but can be used as needed at the parent's discretions.
Home visits help parents become acclimated, in a comfortable and familiar environment, with the ever-changing roles they must assume to take care of their newborn child. For some these roles come easy; for others a little help might be required before they feel confident in their abilities as a parent.
"One of the most rewarding parts of my job is knowing that I've helped someone feel more confident in their new role of parenting," Vance said.
In addition to giving parents information and education, the NPSP serves a dual role of risk reduction in regards to shaken baby syndrome.
Approximately 25 percent of infants who experience SBS die as a result of their injuries. Of those who survive, 80 percent will have lifelong disabilities that hinder their development and their ability to learn and function at a high level.
"Shaken baby syndrome is a big deal," Vance explained. "It can cause a gamut of problems ranging from learning disabilities to the death of a child."
Inconsolable crying for hours on end is often the leading cause for SBS; this coupled with the frustrations of life can push some parents or caregivers over the edge and they lash out, unintentionally, in a moment of frustration.
"We are all human," Vance explained. "Crying just isn't a pleasant sound. We don't believe that a parent or caregiver gets up in the morning intentionally planning to hurt the child, but they get to a point of being overwhelmed and just react."
"Unfortunately they can't take that reaction back," Vance said. "It's done."
Living a military life can be challenging in and of itself. Having children however, adds a whole other degree of difficulty to an already challenging lifestyle.
But having children doesn't change the standards that the Air Force holds its Airmen to; this means Airmen must meet the challenge.
Often times this can be easier said than done depending on the number of children an Airman has, the career field they work in, if their child has special needs and many other extenuating circumstances that increase in number and magnitude.
The goal of the NPSP is to help take care of Airmen off duty, so that on duty they're fully focused on the proper execution of their mission. Best of all, the AF offers these services to parents free of charge.
To attain the equivalent of such services outside the military could cost thousands of dollars; from finding and paying for similar classes and literature, to spending significant amounts of time and money traveling to various locations.
Vance and Wilson urge Airmen meeting the criteria to take advantage of what the AF is offering.
"We encourage parents to take advantage of the opportunities the program offers," Wilson said. "It really is a great program."
For more information about the courses, the curriculum and registering, please call family advocacy at (803) 895-6091.