1. Reintegrating with Partners Module Three

2. Activity: Rubber Band Hand Rules: You may NOT use… 1. Your other hand 2. Any other body part 3. Any object

3. Three Things Re-establishing Connections Celebrating Change Managing Expectations

4. Activity: Three Doors What was the most difficult part of deployment? What did you miss most about home? How do you want to celebrate homecoming?

5. Open Communication Intimacy Deployment Homecoming Relationship Play when you want to … 1.Feel closer 2.Improve Communication 3.Have fun together

6. Building Trust Pay attention to your partner’s needs Be a person of your word Take responsibility for your actions Agree to forgive and forgo Do not be shy about seeking professional help

7. Balancing Time v v v v Alone TimeCouple TimeFamily Time Don’t feel guilty or fear that love is lost Get a baby sitter and ask relatives to visit after you had a chance to reunite Balance time with children and extended family

8. Activity: Quick Change Exchange

9. Finding Common Ground How will what has changed make your relationship stronger? What has not changed that is more important than what has changed?

10. Change is Constant What support do you need? What makes you uncomfortable? How is this change positive? How can you accept this change?

11. Communicating Expectations

12. Assumption Gumption Don’t expect…  this reunion to be like any other  everyone to adjust at the same rate Expect…  an adjustment period for everything  some things will be different

13. Tips for Intimacy Discuss feelings, frustrations or anxieties Do what you did when you first fell in love Start with touch Communicate your love Talk about sex Prioritize intimacy

14. Activity: Intimacy Journals Offer two suggestions to help overcome their challenges What is creating the stress or anxiety about intimacy?

15.  Court before homecoming day  Make “love” every day  Expect intimacy to be awkward  Tell your partner you love and appreciate them  Respect and trust each other Tips from Couples

16. Thank You!