Relationship Reflection
Relationships/partnerships are very important to me. I feel
the special relationships I have created over time have helped shape me as a
wife, mother, educator, and friend. With strong positive relationships in my
life I feel loved, healthy, and content. “There is compelling evidence that
strong relationships contribute to a long, healthy, and happy life. Research
shows that healthy relationships can help you: live longer, deal with stress,
be healthier, and feel richer” (Kreitzer, 2013).
Two people who have always been a big part of my life and I
have very positive relationships with are my mother and father. Factors that
have contributed to developing our positive relationship are the way they nurtured
me over the years. They showed me how to be an honest, caring person and how to
create relationships. They did this by being affectionate, devoted, honest,
supportive, and caring individuals. In our relationship my parents supported
me, loved me unconditionally, made me feel special by making me a priority, and
stayed involved in my activities and my personal life. To contribute to our
relationships I show love, affection, support, spend time with them, and have a
genuine friendship with each of them. Now that our relationship has matured over
time, and I am an adult, I continue to spend quality time with them and love
our close bond. To maintain these positive relationships my parents and I are
open and honest with each other. We are always there for each other even when
times get tough. When one of us is down and grumpy we don’t hold it against
each other. We do not hold grudges. Now my own children are benefiting from our
relationships. They are learning the same things I did as a child. I hope my relationships with them
continue to grow. I am truly blessed to have my mother and father in my life
and the relationships we have created over the years.
There are challenges to developing and maintaining
relationships. Through my experiences I have learned that judging others and
not being totally honest causes tension. “Healthy ways to forge an adult relationship with your
parents and enhance what might not always have been the strongest of bonds are
to: think of them as fellow
adults, rather than as your parents, talk to your parents as friends, keep your
sense of humor, tell your parents what bothers you, don’t ask for advice or
opinions unless you really want it, don’t ask for help with your latest
personal or financial crisis, and create opportunities for exploring and
uncovering memoires. Help your parents preserve their memories on video,
express your appreciation, rediscover and share mutual interests, be honest,
look for common activities, don’t allow them to channel guilt at you, and grant
them their independence too” (Health, 2014).
The relationship with my parents has definitely impacted my
work as an early childhood educator. The way I was treated taught me the
significance of healthy adult/child interactions. I know that teachers of young
children can make a life long difference. I teach children that are at a stage
of development where they can be greatly affected by relationships.
References
Health, S. (2014). Maintain a Healthy Relationship With Your
Parents. Readers Digest. Retrieved
from http://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/maintain-a-healthy-relationship-with-your-parents/
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