Relationship Reflection

Family and relationships are very important to me because without them I think I would be lost. I know that being successful would definitely not have happened without the unwavering love of my family. I am adopted but my bond with my mom and dad is very strong. So, the idea of formatting relationships started my thought on how exactly relationships are defined. I looked up the definition of relationship and it said to have a connection with someone. So, how do you create a connection? For me, the very basic connection is between a mother and her child or a caregiver and a child. This basic connection “is a key factor in the way your infant’s brain organizes itself and influences your child’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development (Robinson, Saisan, Smith and Segal, 2013, par 2).”  From this standpoint is where my relationship discuss begins.

The most important relationship is with my mom; not just has a caregiver but also as a friend and partner. She and I opened a child care center 13 years ago and we are still working together successfully. Our relationship has never wavered and we are still going strong in our partnership. That is not to say that we do not every disagree or have moments of frustration, sadness, and hardships because we do but my mom has always stressed that our relationship will never change if we work together.

Another relationship that is important to me is my step-dad. He and my mom have been married for around 25 years. At first after my dad died I wasn't so sure but he never tried to take over the position but instead we created a strong friendship. I have learned many different things from him throughout my life. Presently, he is going through a time of illness and although his body is not strong any more, I know that our relationship will never change.

My relationship with my step-brother and his daughter and son is very important to me also. My step-brother and I have known each other since Junior High and we have always gotten along. I always joke that why should I have children when he has them and I help raise them. His daughter is now 19 and in college and he has started over with a son who is 2. So, just when I started to really miss my niece, I now have another child to help with. Although I thought my brother was crazy at first, now I would not want him to change anything regarding his new family.

I have several cousins that I am close with. No, we do not hang out all the time, but I know if I need them, they will be there for me and vice versa. My mom and her two sisters are very close so we have all grown up together in an atmosphere of love. It is in this atmosphere that I have learned to deal with many different circumstances in life.

Through unconditional love I have learned and thrived, therefore, my goal as an early childhood educator is to show children this love and respect while helping them learn to cope with positive and negative circumstances and creating a foundation for the children to want to continue to learn and build upon. 

Reference

Robinson, L., Saisan, J., Smith, M. and Segal, J. (2013). Building a Secure Attachment Bond with your Child. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/parenting_attachment.htm