For military families, separation is part of the lifestyle.

Deployments. Underways. TDYs. Long workdays. Months spent apart while trying to keep family life moving forward.

And while military families have become experts at adapting, staying connected across the distance isn't always easy—especially for young children who may not fully understand why Mom or Dad is gone.

In this episode of MilSpouse in the House, host Christie Nix sits down with Navy spouse and United Through Reading Area Manager Bessie Ostrander to talk about one simple but powerful way military families can stay connected during separations: sharing stories.

A military spouse of more than 16 years and mom of three boys, Bessie has seen firsthand how reading aloud can help bridge the distance between service members and the families they love. Through United Through Reading, military parents can record themselves reading books to their children, creating meaningful moments of connection that families can revisit again and again.

Together, Christie and Bessie explore the mission behind United Through Reading, how the organization has grown from a small San Diego nonprofit into a global resource serving all six military branches, and why something as simple as storytime can have such a lasting impact on military families.

They also discuss the developmental benefits of reading aloud, how the United Through Reading app works, the organization's free book program, and the heartwarming stories that continue to remind military families they are never truly alone—even when they're miles apart.

Whether you're preparing for a deployment, navigating a long separation, or simply looking for ways to strengthen family connections, this conversation offers practical resources and an important reminder: sometimes the smallest moments create the strongest bonds.

Key Takeaways

Connection Matters During Separation
United Through Reading helps military families stay connected through recorded storytime, allowing children to hear and see their parent even when they're far from home.

Reading Aloud Benefits More Than Literacy
Shared reading supports language development, strengthens emotional bonds, encourages empathy, and creates lasting family memories.

The United Through Reading App Makes Participation Easy
Service members can record stories directly from their phone using books from home or ebooks available through the app, then send those recordings directly to loved ones.

Build a Free Family Library
Families can create a digital library of recorded stories and receive free books at home, helping build a love of reading that grows alongside their children.

Distance Doesn't Have to Mean Disconnection
For many families, recorded storytime provides comfort during difficult moments, eases transitions during deployments, and even helps young children reconnect more easily during homecomings.

Episode Links

Learn More About United Through Reading

Website: unitedthroughreading.org

Download the United Through Reading App

Book for the Military Child Campaign:
Home Moves With Me

Follow United Through Reading

Facebook: United Through Reading

Instagram: @unitedthroughreading

Stay Connected

Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on Instagram

Read: The latest military spouse news, resources, and real-life stories at MilSpouses.com

Subscribe: MilSpouse in the House on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Know a military family preparing for a deployment or long separation? Share this episode with them—because sometimes hearing a familiar voice at bedtime can make all the difference.

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