Relationship Reflection
"Human relationships, and the effects of relationships on relationships are the building blocks of healthy development" (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000, p. 4).
Relationships are important to me because they encourage me to work hard every day. I am influenced by those closest to me, and I am grateful to have these people in my life. I have many friends and close family members but the relationships I value most are with my mom, dad, boyfriend, and my closest friend.
I am an only child so growing up I only had my parents. As a child, this was challenging for me because I always wanted siblings, but as I grew older, I realized how fortunate I was to be able to focus on my wonderful parents. Through college, it was difficult remaining a close bond with my mom because she was further away, but we made sure to keep in touch by phone or monthly visits.
I believe my relationship with my mom is special because I am an only child. My mom and I share so many characteristics and qualities, and as I get older, I realize how much I am like her. She is a dedicated, generous, and caring woman, and I don't know what I would do without her.
My dad and I are also very close, and this has progressed as I've gotten older. He is loving, generous, and dedicated. I believe our relationship and bond are so strong because we trust each other and have grown to communicate more effectively as I've grown up. My dad inspires me as well because he came from Iran when he was in his twenties and made a life for himself in the United States without knowing anyone. His journey was not easy, but he never gave up, and he loves the life he's built for himself.
My dad was never strict, but when I was younger, he was more cautious and sheltered me from certain things. He didn't want me going to certain colleges because of crime rate, or always had to know the address of where I was going when I spent time with friends. At the time I thought he didn't trust me, but as I've grown older, I realize he was untrusting of the dangers posed in the world. We have become closer as I've gotten older because he has watched me grow into an independent and successful woman and we have formed a mutual trust and understanding. Without him, I would not be where I am or who I am today.
My relationship with my dad is special for similar reasons to that of my relationship with my mom. Being an only child has spoiled me because I get my two incredible parents to myself, and I would do anything for them.
Kevin and I have been dating since our senior year of high school (2012). We went to different Universities for four years and were in a long distance relationship during that time. Our relationship is positive and successful because we are both committed to each other and communicate daily. Over time, we learned the many hardships of maintaining a long distance relationship, and we tried our best to communicate with each other since we were not nearby.
Without effective communication, I don't believe we would be together today. Kevin allows me to be an independent person, and we trust each other. We have now been living together for a year and a half, and our relationship has blossomed in ways I could not have imagined before. We both have jobs and structure during the day and see each other in the evenings, so it is not too overwhelming. We make sure to spend time with each other outside of living together such as going to dinner, movies, or events in the area. Kevin inspires me to be a better person every day. He allows me to have the freedom to be myself and loves me for who I am, and I reciprocate that. I believe this is one of the main reasons we are so successful as a couple.
Madeleine and I met in church during the 3rd grade. She has always been by my side and supported me through many hardships in my life. She was with me when I found out my parents divorced, through breakups, through deaths, and so many other times when a friend is essential. She is my closest friend, and I would do anything for her. I believe our relationship is successful because we communicate and make time for each other. I support her decisions even if I don't agree with them, and I am always there for her if she needs advice or someone to talk to.
This partnership has succeeded because we trust and respect each other. Over time we have gone through ups and downs because we went to different schools and she travels to Europe frequently to visit family. This makes it hard to see her often because she is rarely around. However, when we are in situations like this, we have learned to chat more frequently or talk on the phone so that we can stay updated with each other's lives. When I have an issue or concern with anything in my life, she is the first friend I talk to.
Our relationship has special characteristics because we have grown up together. Over the years I have grown apart from many friends, but Madeleine and I grew up side by side and understand each other on a level no one else understands. She means so much to me, and I am grateful to have her in my life.
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I believe my experiences with relationships and partnerships have an impact on my work as an early childhood professional because I am willing to form relationships with colleagues, parents, and the children. I understand that building relationship is founded on trust and a mutual understanding and support. I can translate this to my work environment and hope it progresses as my relationships progress in my adult life.
My mom, Cheryl
My mom and I are very close and always have been. I talk to her almost every day on the phone simply to catch up or tell her a story that happened that day. We know everything about each other and have a very trusting and reliable bond. My mom influences me to work hard, be confident, but most importantly, take time for myself. She has worked her whole life diligently, and never let anyone's opinions of her career or life choices affect her. Her confidence inspires me, and I try to implement it into my teaching style and through my students.I am an only child so growing up I only had my parents. As a child, this was challenging for me because I always wanted siblings, but as I grew older, I realized how fortunate I was to be able to focus on my wonderful parents. Through college, it was difficult remaining a close bond with my mom because she was further away, but we made sure to keep in touch by phone or monthly visits.
I believe my relationship with my mom is special because I am an only child. My mom and I share so many characteristics and qualities, and as I get older, I realize how much I am like her. She is a dedicated, generous, and caring woman, and I don't know what I would do without her.
My dad, Brahm
My dad and I are also very close, and this has progressed as I've gotten older. He is loving, generous, and dedicated. I believe our relationship and bond are so strong because we trust each other and have grown to communicate more effectively as I've grown up. My dad inspires me as well because he came from Iran when he was in his twenties and made a life for himself in the United States without knowing anyone. His journey was not easy, but he never gave up, and he loves the life he's built for himself.
My dad was never strict, but when I was younger, he was more cautious and sheltered me from certain things. He didn't want me going to certain colleges because of crime rate, or always had to know the address of where I was going when I spent time with friends. At the time I thought he didn't trust me, but as I've grown older, I realize he was untrusting of the dangers posed in the world. We have become closer as I've gotten older because he has watched me grow into an independent and successful woman and we have formed a mutual trust and understanding. Without him, I would not be where I am or who I am today.
My relationship with my dad is special for similar reasons to that of my relationship with my mom. Being an only child has spoiled me because I get my two incredible parents to myself, and I would do anything for them.
My boyfriend, Kevin
Kevin and I have been dating since our senior year of high school (2012). We went to different Universities for four years and were in a long distance relationship during that time. Our relationship is positive and successful because we are both committed to each other and communicate daily. Over time, we learned the many hardships of maintaining a long distance relationship, and we tried our best to communicate with each other since we were not nearby.
Without effective communication, I don't believe we would be together today. Kevin allows me to be an independent person, and we trust each other. We have now been living together for a year and a half, and our relationship has blossomed in ways I could not have imagined before. We both have jobs and structure during the day and see each other in the evenings, so it is not too overwhelming. We make sure to spend time with each other outside of living together such as going to dinner, movies, or events in the area. Kevin inspires me to be a better person every day. He allows me to have the freedom to be myself and loves me for who I am, and I reciprocate that. I believe this is one of the main reasons we are so successful as a couple.
My best friend, Madeleine
Madeleine and I met in church during the 3rd grade. She has always been by my side and supported me through many hardships in my life. She was with me when I found out my parents divorced, through breakups, through deaths, and so many other times when a friend is essential. She is my closest friend, and I would do anything for her. I believe our relationship is successful because we communicate and make time for each other. I support her decisions even if I don't agree with them, and I am always there for her if she needs advice or someone to talk to.
This partnership has succeeded because we trust and respect each other. Over time we have gone through ups and downs because we went to different schools and she travels to Europe frequently to visit family. This makes it hard to see her often because she is rarely around. However, when we are in situations like this, we have learned to chat more frequently or talk on the phone so that we can stay updated with each other's lives. When I have an issue or concern with anything in my life, she is the first friend I talk to.
Our relationship has special characteristics because we have grown up together. Over the years I have grown apart from many friends, but Madeleine and I grew up side by side and understand each other on a level no one else understands. She means so much to me, and I am grateful to have her in my life.
________________________________________
I believe my experiences with relationships and partnerships have an impact on my work as an early childhood professional because I am willing to form relationships with colleagues, parents, and the children. I understand that building relationship is founded on trust and a mutual understanding and support. I can translate this to my work environment and hope it progresses as my relationships progress in my adult life.
Tara, I love how you organized your post and included pictures! The pictures you chose to include really help to portray the relationships you have in your life. It appears that you have a very special relationship with both your Mom and Dad. In both of these relationships you talked about trust and how important it is to creating positive relationships. This understanding of trust is very important to take into the Early Childhood Education field. From your post, it sounds like you have reflected and learned a lot from your childhood relationships and can apply that to the relationships you form in your adult life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing !
Brianna
Hello Tara, I enjoyed reading your blog. I can agree that relationship is so important. Having a strong relationship with family and friends is good because you are able to learn from others and improve things in your life. Relationship with colleagues also give you the chance to learn or look things from another person perspective.
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