My Supports

My Supports

I am so very fortunate to have a wonderful best friend who I love more than life itself!  In October my husband and I separated and my best friend moved in with my children and myself.  My husband had never been an active father or husband.  He was in law enforcement and for anyone who has ever been married to someone in law enforcement understands that that is really all I have to say.  Law enforcement officers have a tendency to be so engulfed in their work they often forget they have a family and when they do have an opportunity to be with the family they just do not know how to fit in.  Therefore self-medicating often happens.  Between drinking and sleeping he didn’t have time to bother with us.  (This of course is not true for every law enforcement officer).  Through this difficult transition she took a very hand on role with my children and for the first time in their seven years of living they had two parents to turn to.  I would never hand that role to just anyone or too lightly.  That is a very special role that in my opinion if it did not occur naturally it must be earned.   Marian has been there for myself and my children for the past six months and she is my daily support.  She helps me to remember to be thankful for all that I have and the fact that I do not have to raise my two children alone anymore. My children are the love of my life, and without their daily support I would drowned in guilt.  My children are proud of me for going back to school, therefore, every time I say sorry guys mommy has a paper to write they say “okay well maybe we can play after”.  Without Marian my best friend and my two children I would be one despondent person.  I could achieve my personal goals; continue working hard at my business and going to school.  But what would it matter?   These three people are not just my daily support, but my life support!

My COnnections to Play

My Connections to Play

Quotes

It’s better to play than do anything.

 

Play is the beginning of knowledge.

 

 

Three essential play items

1. Shovel

 

2. Tennis Shoes

 

3. Bike

 

Life was not as busy when I was young and children were not involved in so many different activities.  Play was supported by adults probably because children could go outside and play with little to no supervision.  This kept children out of their parent’s way and tired the children out before bedtime.  We now know there is much more to play time than just keeping children busy.  Children learn to do many different skills through uninterrupted play time.  Children do not have the luxury any longer to go out and play without adult supervision.  The world has turned so violent and parents can just not take the chance of letting their child out of their sight due to unspeakable crimes that could happen to them.    Therefore it is vital for parents and caregivers alike to provide children safe supervised uninterrupted play. When I was young my favorite thing to do was role play.  Children need the opportunity to explore role play and engage in hands on experimenting on a daily basis. 

 

Stressors in Children

Hunger affects children and adults alike, regardless of nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.  I have experienced teaching children who have come to school hungry.  There last meal was the 2:00pm snack they had a school the day before.  When children are hungry it makes it difficult for them to concentrate and learn necessary material.  We are very lucky to have the governments support in this day and time to help assist in feeding these children.  Children walk through my school doors and are presented with a hot breakfast.  This is a luxury that has not always existed; children would be hungry and be required to function in the classroom setting.  The very thought of a child lying in bed not being able to sleep because their stomach is empty is a thought that does not set well with me.  Hunger directly affects children and their biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development because every thought and action is consumed by the need for food and how to get it.  Hunger is the same in every country. The difference being how the their particular government deals with hunger issues. If you’re hungry you hungry, and as Americans we must strive to continue to push the government to take care of our children and families right here in the United States.  No child should go to bed hungry.  There are resources available to families.  Early childhood professionals should make every effort to assist families with knowing which resources are available and where to get the assistance needed. 

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are always a complex subject.  I have relationships with many people.  I have a working relationship with the parents that are at my school, teachers, as well as the children.  Then I have personal relationships such as my children, parents, siblings, and best friend.  Relationships are important part of life and can make an individual be perceived in a certain way.  To have a positive relationship it is vital to keep these different forms of relationships such as working and personal in there correct box, and not to intermingle the two.  I feel that partnerships with team mates at work and parents are vital to have a healthy relationship in the work and school environment. 

Breastfeeding around the world

Breastfeeding is beneficial for a variety of reasons.  “Known as liquid gold, colostrum (coh-LOSS-trum) is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby. Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow. Formula-fed babies also have higher risks of: Necrotizing, Lower respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, type 2 diabetes Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems in women: Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and Ovarian cancer” (Women’s Health). 

Brazil –Highly supported

Mongolia-Their universal practice of breast feeding anywhere, anytime, and the close quarters in which most Mongolians live, mean that everyone is pretty familiar with the sight of a working boob.

France-.Breastfeeding isn't encouraged and many people find the sight of it disturbing. Locals feel that breastfeeding still has a peasant image..

 

Women’s Health.gov.Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/index.html

 

Birthing Experiences

Child birth is an exciting and special time in a women’s life.  I could not wait for the birth of my son, but at the same time I just couldn’t imagine the pain I was about to endure.  I decided that in reality the pain could only be so bad.  I mean women have children every day.  Well of course I would have the birthing experience from hell with two full days of laboring and then the baby getting stuck in the birth canal.  I began running a very high fever and off we went for an emergency C-section at 7:30 p.m. and had a new baby boy at 7:47.  Within twenty four hours it was evident that the baby was not a 100%.  The baby ended up with an infection and we spent 10 days in the NICU.  Not so fun for your birthing experience.  However birth is life and you certainly cannot predict life.  Child development is a process that we will never quit researching we will continually gain more knowledge and use the knowledge to improve the birthing experience.

       

In France things are different than in the US.  There is much better insurance for pregnant mothers therefore they have more of a say so of how they would like there birthing experience to be.  The norm in France seems to be whatever the mother prefers which is vital for a stress free birthing experience.  Many other countries have a majority of births taking place anywhere but in a controlled environment, whereas the US has the majority of their births in a controlled environment. 

Classes come to an end

It is hard to believe this first class is over.  It is a sad but happy day, and we should all celebrate this accomplishment!