How can a deployed parent stay present for birthdays and milestones?

Record dated messages before leaving, one per birthday, holiday, or milestone you'll miss, and schedule each to be delivered on the day, so you show up on the calendar even from far away.

What should I record before a deployment?

A birthday message for each child's birthday you'll miss, messages for known milestones like the first day of school, a holiday message, and an open-ended one for when they miss you. Don't forget your partner.

How long should each message be?

Short: thirty seconds to two minutes. Children mainly need to see your face, hear their name, and know you're thinking of them on that specific day.

Video messages for military families before deployment

September 20, 2026

A deployment means missing things: birthdays, first days of school, the ordinary bedtimes that add up to a childhood. Recorded messages cannot close the distance, but they can keep a deploying parent present for the moments they will not be home for. Here is how to prepare a set before you leave.

Record for the calendar, not just the goodbye

The farewell message matters, but the ones that carry a family through are the dated ones: a birthday video for each child, a message for the first day of school, one for a holiday you will miss. Recorded now and scheduled to arrive on the day, they let you show up on the calendar even from far away.

What to record before you go

One birthday message per child, per birthday you expect to miss.
A "first day of school" or "big game" message for milestones you know are coming.
A holiday message for whatever falls during the deployment.
One open-ended "watch this whenever you miss me" video for the hard nights.

Keep them short and specific

Children do not need speeches. They need to see your face, hear you say their name, and know you are thinking of them on this exact day. Thirty seconds to two minutes each is plenty. Mention the occasion by name so it lands: "Happy eighth birthday, buddy."

For your partner too

Do not forget the person holding everything together at home. A short message for them, timed to a hard week or an anniversary you will miss, means as much as anything you record for the kids.

Set them and go

Record the whole set in one session if you can, schedule each to its date, and store them safely. Then they arrive on their own while you are away. Start recording your set before you leave, and your family will have you there for the days that matter most.

Frequently asked questions

How can a deployed parent stay present for birthdays and milestones?: Record dated messages before leaving, one per birthday, holiday, or milestone you'll miss, and schedule each to be delivered on the day, so you show up on the calendar even from far away.
What should I record before a deployment?: A birthday message for each child's birthday you'll miss, messages for known milestones like the first day of school, a holiday message, and an open-ended one for when they miss you. Don't forget your partner.
How long should each message be?: Short: thirty seconds to two minutes. Children mainly need to see your face, hear their name, and know you're thinking of them on that specific day.