Two tickets to paradise Published April 26, 2013 By Capt. Genieve David Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- We've all had our days that make us want to pull out our hair when our kids act up--maybe you even want to scream some days are so difficult. Maybe your darling little angel threw a temper tantrum in the commissary and totally embarrassed you in front of people you know, or maybe it seemed like both your kids conspired this morning to make it so difficult to get them ready for school and despite your efforts and bribes you still were late for work. This is the life I am living right now--praying that my kids will wake up in a good mood and I will be to work on time or make that event on time. And even though my days don't go as I planned, or the way I would like them to, I have to remember that my little girls and I are dealing with a lot of changes in our lives. I was away from my family for eight months last year due to a deployment to Afghanistan. Now it's like the iPod is on repeat--their father just left for Afghanistan for six months. The best thing I've been able to do is use these programs that help pass the time, keep my daughters and myself occupied, and help keep my sanity. The Deployed Play Pass has been a lifesaver. I didn't know about it before or during my deployment so unfortunately my family didn't get to use it until after I had returned. After learning my lesson, I made sure the girls were set with their new passes for their father's deployment. My daughter Marisa is age 7. She is at the age where I'd like her to try every single sport and then make a decision on which ones she'd really like to continue. Through the program, she has taken indoor soccer, and is currently enrolled in tumbling, ballet and tap dance. I also have my youngest daughter Katie, 4, enrolled in tumbling, ballet and tap dance classes. This is great because they have something to look forward to all week and it passes the time. This also gives me a little breathing room to do little things like make a grocery list, plan dinner for the coming week, plan family activities for the weekend, pay bills, etc. I feel like that is my catch-up time. The passes pay for three youth sports or classes up to $50 per class/sport per child. So literally by the time my children are done using their card they will have used $600 worth of free programs. But that isn't all. As a qualifying dependent child, they can also use the card toward recreational programs, fitness, life skills, outdoor recreation or ITT day trips. This winter we tried to sign up for the Bottineau trip but unfortunately all the slots were spoken for. We ended up going anyway and made some great memories. It worked out perfect as I was reintegrating into our family. I also take advantage of the Give-Parents-A-Break program. It's really simple. All you have to do is go to the Airman & Family Readiness Center and request a certificate that will allow you to use the program. You may have to provide a copy of the deployed member's orders. They offer two break days per month. Usually one is in the evening and the other during the day. I used my first session earlier this month and was able to hang out with friends at the Officer's Club and attend a baby shower. The next one is at the end of the month and I more than likely will use that to get a manicure and pedicure and maybe even enjoy a little solo lunch. To be honest with you, I felt bad. I missed my babies, but after I picked them up from the Youth Center and Child Development Center, I was refreshed and appreciative of my little munchkins. I guess what I'm trying to relay is if you are the single parent keeping the family together while the other parent is deployed, use the programs to your advantage. Kids need breaks from their mommy or daddy just as much as we need little breaks from them too. It makes the time go by fast and the deployed mommy or daddy will be back before you know it.