If you're in a military family, there's probably a lot of misconceptions that you encounter every day. People don't seem to understand what it really means to be in the Forces or have a partner or parent who is.
This can be particularly hard on kids, especially if you move around a lot, as they'll likely get asked the same questions constantly when other children find out that they have a parent or parents in the Armed Forces.
While there are loads of benefits when it comes to raising kids in the Forces – some of which you can read about here – there are also some things patch brats are fed up of hearing. Here are just a few things they probably don't want people to keep saying to them:
You must speak so many languages!
Yes, there's a good chance that you've lived in a few different places over the years, but this doesn't automatically mean you know all the lingo. If you're living on base you may not need to learn another language, while you may not be in one place for long enough to start.
Trying to explain to people that just because you happened to live in another country doesn't necessarily mean you speak 12 different languages gets old after a while.
You see your parent/parents at the weekends though right?
Not seeing your parent or parents who are in the Forces as much as other kids kind of comes with the territory and you don't need to be reminded that there is no guarantee of a weekend with them.
However, you see your parents when they are on leave on when they are on base and you make the most of that time together. You may miss them when they aren't around, but you still get to talk and write to them.
How many schools have you been to this year?
Yes, some years may see you go to a couple of new schools, but it often isn't as many as people seem to think. In fact, you sometimes stay in the same place for a couple of years, so the only time you'd move school is when you start high school or college.
There's no denying that you've probably been to more schools than the average kid, but it isn't as interesting as people seem to think.
I bet you've got loads of friends around the world
While you do meet a lot of people if you happen to move around, it can be hard to make friends if you're only in a place for a short amount of time. Luckily, the close community of the Armed Forces means there are plenty of families you hang out with, some of which end up in a lot of the same places as you over the years.
Then there's the fact that you haven't necessarily lived abroad yet so you're friends may only be scattered across the UK.
If you do move around a lot, it can be difficult to make friends that you'll stay in contact with, although social media does make it easier. Of course, it also means you may also always be the new kid, which is a challenge in itself and not one you want to be reminded about all the time.
What are some of the things you're sick of hearing when people find out you're from a military family?
As a forces daughter we got meet some amazing people along the years we lived on the patch we have life time friends from it. We were lucky enough to be a family who didn’t get moved all over the place bit we knew many who did.\nBeing a forces family gives you something different to non forces the bond is indescribable for both parents you love the parent unconditional who’s away with their job but you also don’t expect with them either as you make every moment you get with the do special. As for the bond with the parent at home with you there is no words to describe the love respect admiration you have for them they are being both parents doing everything both parents would normally they are mum., dad, teacher, diy expects , your best friend your soul mate the person you love & hate but most of all the person you inspire to be.\nWe maybe seen as different but we see our self as strong capable independent social mediapeople cause we have to be