How many times have you either heard a military spouse bad-mouth another spouse, or seen on Facebook on the support groups, women bickering back and forth on a certain topic. Whether it be how to handle money, how to handle the kids, to work or be a stay-at-home mom or how to handle their relationship with their husband — it seems like military spouses, mostly wives, are always gossiping and talking about one another.

Now, I’m not saying we all have to get along like the women on Army Wives … because we all know that’s just Hollywood and not reality. However, it would be nice to be able to talk to someone not affiliated with the military and actually have them say something nice about a military spouse.

I’m also going to admit that I’m not totally innocent when it comes to stereotyping military wives.
Firstly, let me say — I am in the military as well as a military spouse. But, I have, on occasion said a thing or two about free handouts or coupons … but now I’m putting my foot down. I will try my darnedest to keep my tongue when I overhear gossip and not become part of the gossip. I will stop any harsh thinking when I see a young mother at the PX with a screaming baby in the carriage and another on the way. I will offer a hand when a woman drops her coupons in the middle of the commissary.

Because really, the stereotyping will end when we stop adding to the stereotype.

Ladies, we need to leave the high school drama where it belongs … in high school. We are all in this together — wait, isn’t that from Disney’s High School Musical? But seriously, we are. Military spouses put up with so much and we need each others’ support, not criticism.