Relationship Reflection

This space on my blog is dedicated to my family. Pictured in this photo is my husband, myself and our four children-Taylor, Rocco, Jack & Christine. My family means everything to me. We are a very close family that support each other, and make daily efforts to show how much we cherish and value each other as individuals and also as a family unit. Personally, I make sure my children hear everyday, how much I love and cherish them. My husband and I are truly a team, trying to raise our children to be thoughtful, thankful, and caring individuals. We encourage our children to do their best, but also understand we all make mistakes. When mistakes happen, it's just one of life's ways of telling us to try it another way and keep going. I never take for granted all that has been given to me-a supportive and loving husband, four beautiful, healthy and happy children, a wonderful place to live and loyal and supportive friends.

Starting relationships with others is usually fairly easy. It's maintainin those relationships that take time and work on part sides. For instance, when I met my husband it was easy to get to know him. We met on a beautiful beach in the Virgin Islands many years ago. He was playing croquet on the beach and I was enjoying a frozen drink with my sister. I was down in the islands running a summer camp program. He was down there having fun for the summer. We spent our days playing on the beach, exploring the islands and just enjoying everything life had to offer. The following year, we were married and the reality of life and having to work harder to maintain and expand on our relationship began. It was not long before we realized the carefree life of the "summer romance", was just a distant memory. We spent the next few years, learning how to enjoy each other, without the daily trips to the beach and nightly visits to the local clubs.

It was not long before the new mortgage began, and the babies started arriving. It was at this time our relationship, went from two newlyweds, to new parents struggling to get by with little sleep and more bills to pay, and even less time to think about those long lazy beach days and frozen drinks of days long gone.

 Currently, we are in the "just beginning to rise out of the trenches" stage of our lives. Our youngest child will be starting school next year. I'm finishing up graduate school, with hopes of bringing more income to the family, but also working more hours in the near future.
Through it all, my husband and I have learned to lean on each other. Of course we have had our differences and always will. However, we have grown to respect each other in many ways. We value each other's opinion, support each other and cherish our time together. I know I could not be the parent I am without my partner, my husband. Our extended families do not live close by, therefore we are literally raising these children without any outside help. However, we seem to really "get it". The evidence is clear in how happy and well-adjusted our children are. They are polite and mannerly and seem to love my husband and I very much. Of couse, we all have our moments, but we all know and feel the love and care we have for each other. This support has helped us through some trying times, and will continue to do so as our road to life continues.
My close relationship with my family has and will continue to impact my work as an effective early childhood professional. Everyday, I begin my day with a prayer thanking God for my family and my blessings. I also ask for guidance in helping me to be the best teacher I can be. It's important to me that I have a postive impact on every young child I work with. During these critical formative years, I have learned through my postive relationships, how important it is to really listen and show compassion to all those around me. Every child has something positive to offer the world, and it is my job to help bring out those passions and dreams.