From the moment you share the news that your spouse is deploying, there's a good chance you'll begin receiving advice from friends, relatives, casual acquaintances and even strangers; and in all likelihood it won't stop until your spouse has returned home. And even then, you're likely to receive a plethora of unsolicited suggestions on how to handle the post-deployment phase.

So, what do you do with all the wisdom, tips, hints and suggestions offered by well-meaning folks?

The answer is simple. Take what you like and leave the rest. By doing so, you'll dramatically reduce the time and energy you place into solid decision-making.

Determining What's Best for You and Your Family
Sifting through all the advice is actually pretty easy and can be summed up in three words: Trust Your Gut.

When you receive unsolicited advice, pay attention to your internal reaction. Do you cringe? Love what you're hearing? Know in your heart that there's no way on God's green earth the proffered suggestion will fly in your household? "After a long day you need time for yourself. Make sure and put all the kids to bed by 7:00." Right…

Often you may not receive any gut reaction to a shared piece of wisdom for the mere fact that the suggestion pertains to a topic that's not an issue for you and your family. In other instances, you might like the overall tip but need to modify the suggestion to fit the needs of you and your children. By far the most pleasant reaction is loving an idea and looking forward to trying it out.

The same principle applies to when you're seeking advice from someone you know or via the Internet. Opinions vary and thanks to modern technology there's a lot of information circulating. At times you may even feel a sense of information overload. But don't despair.

The important thing to keep in mind is that there's no right or wrong way to handle all the incoming advice. You know yourself and the members of your household better than anyone. Use this knowledge as your guide and…

Take What You Like and Leave the Rest.