Prepare the care details
Military OneSource recommends preparing a family care plan before deployment or relocation, covering who provides care and the financial, medical, and practical arrangements. Its child-custody guide for military families also points to installation legal assistance for questions about your circumstances.
Record what is known
Keep confirmed departure dates, expected return dates, and uncertain dates clearly distinguished. Name the person covering each care period and how they can reach the right adult. Avoid promising an automatic return to a schedule before the relevant arrangements are confirmed.
Give communication a fallback
Agree what to do when duty or connectivity interrupts a planned call. A recorded message or a different time may be easier than repeatedly trying the same slot. Let the adults handle rescheduling.
Use CoFam for the agreed schedule
Add the care periods and family contacts you need, then review them when plans change. Use your legal assistance office for questions about relocation or custody.
What should we review when a parent returns?
Confirm the care dates and handoff times together, then update the shared calendar to match.
Where can we ask about military custody rules?
Military OneSource’s linked guide points service members to installation legal assistance. Specific rights depend on the circumstances and applicable law.
Bring your agreed care dates and family details together. → Family setup in CoFam