The Bright Side
New magazine focuses on the bright side of being a military kid.
You’ve Got Mail
Kids love to get mail. Email, instant messaging, Instagram or Facebook can never replace the surprise and curious feelings a child has when he receives something in the mail addressed only to them. They instantly feel important, special and part of the mysterious grown-up world where things arrive in a mailbox outside and not the mailbox on the computer.
It’s even more special when the mail they receive is a magazine is all about them, written by their peers and dedicated entirely to the life they live everyday as a child whose family serves in the United States military – Military Kid’s Life.
Started by two military spouses, Janine Boldrin and Amy Crispino, Military Kid’s Life is a magazine devoted to showing the bright side of being a military kid. With the never-ending deluge of sad and seemingly negative images and messages about military life portrayed in the media, Boldrin and Crispino felt those images didn’t always reflect the amazing life of their children.
“Sometimes images and messages military kids hear tell them they are broken. We don’t think that is the right message. We know our children face many, many challenges, we don’t argue with that. But, being a military kid is an amazing experience, one we want to embrace, “ says Boldrin.
Connecting Military Kids – One Page At A Time.
The magazine is a beautiful, full color, 40-page quarterly publication that speaks directly to children ages 6-14. It’s for military kids from all branches of service. It’s for kids who have families serving on Active Duty, Guard and Reserves. The cheerful magazine covers topics and themes that relate to the military kid experience with sections like “Living In….” which features a military kid’s experience living in different parts of the world in each issue.
The founders are committed to at least 50% of the magazine’s content being written by kids for kids. Each issue has fun themes like exploration, adventures in moving and changing schools. Inside the bright engaging pages, kids can read sections about food and recipes, crafts, short stories, letters and more. One of our favorites is a piece titled, Weird Things I’ve Seen On Base, which highlights stories from military kids living in or around military installations who share their common experiences.
Boldrin says they aren’t afraid to cover heavier topics kids experience living this life.
“In one of our issues we cover divorce and what that feels like as a military kid, hopefully validating some of the feelings of being disconnected. We want our magazine and the topics to be a conversation starter between parent and child.”
However, the magazine has found success through individual subscriptions and gifting options to schools, libraries and organizations. A year’s subscription of Military Kid’s Life cost about two coffee runs to Starbucks – $12.95. Parents, educators and organizations seem to understand the value of a publication dedicated to the unique lifestyle of the military kid so subscriptions are on the rise.
Originally launched in a digital format, the military spouse team have since made the decision to go exclusively to a print-based magazine.
“As a teacher and a parent, I really feel strongly that Military Kid’s Life should be a print-based product. The way children interact with the printed word is so important, and kids truly need this type of tangible product. Even reluctant readers read our magazine! It is bright, engaging, and positive, and we love hearing from parents that their military kids are so excited to get their own magazine in the mail,” says Crispino.
Military Kid’s Life is about their readers, their adventures and topics that speak directly to the military kid. Boldrin and Crispino are always looking for great stories, ideas and news from their readers. Inspiring young writers and photographers can submit stories, ideas or pictures easily through the magazine’s website. It is a magazine written by kids, for kids so they are always looking for fresh concepts from their readers.
