Relationship Reflection

Growing up I can remember thinking how I wanted my life to go. Well, we can make the plan, but we cannot plan the outcome.

The relationship(s) I would like to talk about is the ones I have with my children, my grandchildren and my future daughter-in-law. I have three children, two sons and a daughter. I have a grandson and a granddaughter. My children are 31, 27, and 13. My grandson is four and my granddaughter will be four months on the 19^th of January. The relationship with my children has always been good. Even though my boys are adults now we still have that mother-son communication and we talk about everything. My 13 year old, we are going through growing pains, not to say it’s painful, we are growing into a deeper understanding of who is the parent and who makes the final decisions.

 I have always loved being a parent to my children and while growing older I realize how important it is to be a good parent and how much joy my grandchildren bring. When children get older and go their separate ways you get to feeling a little lonely not left out. Having spent time during their lives teaching them to tie their shoes, dress and guiding them in their decisions making, makes parenting all the more joyful. I guess if I could have had more I would have a house full. That’s where my grandchildren come in, the second phase of parenting. You never stop being a parent and I enjoy keeping my grandchildren it allows me the opportunity to keep my parenting skills fresh. I still know how to discipline and how important it is to love.

It is now time for me to extend my family. My youngest son is getting married in June and I need to have that mother-son talk again. I was married once and can only give him advice from my experience. I love my children with all my heart and don’t want to see them hurt, but I also know that everyone has to have their own experiences. I wish the best for him and his future wife whom I have come to love over the years that I have known her and wish the best for them. I will be getting a daughter-in-law and this adds another person in my heart. She is the mother of my two grandchildren and I have always loved and cared for her as if she was one of my own.

My children have allowed me to be a parent and my experience as a parent has been challenging. My experiences as a grandmother have been enlightening and full of curiosity. I often wonder what my children thing about me as their mother, partner, and friend. We have an open relationship and they know how much I love them. The love and respect they have for me shows in all the important areas. My grandson is always asking to come to my house just to spend time with me. I know he loves me and I’m sure he understands who I am.

Extending families can be a challenge and a blessing. I know she (my future daughter-in-law) is a good person and I can’t help how I feel. This is adding a whole new chapter to my book of life and I will be able to extend my love to one more of Gods children. The joy that’s running through my veins can only be felt by me. I want to share my joy with the world and writing this note is just the beginning of my experiences with the relationships I have with my immediate family.

I was able to be in the delivery room with both my grandchildren and it made me feel real special that their mother would want me there and my son would not have had it any other way. I take time with my grandson just as I did my children and I know my time is appreciated. This experience has also helped with my studies as an early childhood professional because it allows me to be able to observe first hand all the things I am learning in my studies at Walden.

I know that this is what my life was meant to be. Out of all my life experiences this is what I was made to do, become an early childhood educator and childcare professional. In conclusion of the segment I just want everyone to know that I am a happy and cheerful person and my apples didn’t fall far from the tree.

Quote:

     

“Respect the child. Be not too much his parent. Trespass not on his solitude.”

 Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)

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“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”

William James (American Philosopher and Psychologist, leader of the philosophical movement of Pragmatism, 1842-1910)