Military Kids Matter: The Blog Giving Voice to Children of Wounded Warriors

Welcome Home - A Podcast for Veterans, About Veterans, By Veterans

What happens when the children of wounded warriors grow up and decide to create the support system they wish they'd had? Meet Sinaiyah (16) and Azara (14) Emami, two remarkable sisters who are changing the landscape for military children navigating the complexities of life with a wounded parent.
When the Emami sisters first visited the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run in 2018, they were just children seeking respite while their father recovered at Walter Reed. Today, they've returned as visionaries behind "We Signed Up Too," an innovative online community specifically designed for children of wounded, ill, and injured veterans. Their mission emerged from a stark realization: while support systems exist for veterans and caregivers, the children in these families often fall through the cracks, left to navigate complex emotions and responsibilities without dedicated resources.
The sisters speak with striking wisdom about the unique challenges these children face - from profound loneliness and premature responsibility to the complex dynamics of family communication around a parent's condition. "These kids are dealing with things children normally don't deal with," Sinaiyah explains, highlighting how military children often grow up faster, shouldering emotional burdens beyond their years. Their platform addresses these needs through age-appropriate content (blog articles for older kids, craft videos for younger ones), comprehensive resources, and, most importantly, connections with peers who truly understand.
What makes their approach particularly powerful is their authenticity - they're not speaking as outside experts but as fellow travelers on this journey. "Just because we started this doesn't mean we're out of the hardship," Sinaiyah shares. "We're walking through it daily." This lived experience informs every aspect of their work, from the community they're building to their plans for virtual meetups and in-person events. Visit wesigneduptoo.com to explore this groundbreaking resource and help spread the word about this vital community where children of wounded warriors can find understanding, support, and the reassurance that they are never alone. Follow them on Instagram.

Chapters

1. Military Kids Matter: The Blog Giving Voice to Children of Wounded Warriors (00:00:00)

2. Meet the Imami Sisters (00:00:29)

3. Birth of "We Signed Up Too" Blog (00:02:28)

4. Creating Resources for Military Children (00:06:45)

5. Facing Unique Challenges as Warriors' Kids (00:12:27)

6. Building Community and Future Goals (00:16:58)

7. Final Thoughts and Call to Action (00:22:15)