Relationship Reflection

Earlier this year I reflected on relationships and partnerships that are important to me. Now it is time to reflect again.

The first relationship I am going to talk about is my relationship with my Husband. My Husband’s name is Patrick and we have been together for 8 ½ years and have just passed our one year marriage anniversary. I have been with him through high school and college and our relationship has had its turn of ups and downs. It has also grown and matured as we have. Our relationship is a positive because of the support and love that we give one another. Patrick is always there to help me out in a tough times and not so tough times whether it is cleaning the house, grading papers, supporting me with my many hobbies, or being there when I need someone to talk to. He was a great friend, boyfriend, fiancé, and now husband. Our relationship had to grow and mature because of how we were growing. Being 14 with someone is different than being 23 with someone. We have experienced a lot together and I cannot wait to experience more with him.

The second relationship I would like to share with you would be my relationship with my mother-in-law. She is like a second mother to me. She is caring and supportive with everything that Patrick and I do along with everything that I do personally. She is a great support in my family and is always ready to help. Throughout our relationship we have grown closer and have bonded in many different ways. She is a great and strong person and I am thankful to have her in my life.

The last relationship I would like to share is not a relationship with a person. It is a relationship with my cat named Aspen. I have had animals in the past when I was growing up but I have never had a connection with an animal like I do with her. She makes me feel so comfortable and in her own way communicates to help me. She is my cuddle buddy and helps me release my inner child. She is even more special to me because this is the first animal that my husband and I have adopted together. She is like our child and gets us through the days with laughter and love.

I feel that all these relationships help my work as an effective early childhood professional in many ways. First, all of them are there for me in different ways. My husband is there for the active part when I have a billion different papers to grade and write a newsletter and plan the next field trip all before I have to go to bed. He helps out with a lot of “chores” and without him; it would make my life very stressful. My mother-in-law is there to listen to my stories and give me ideas on things to do with the kids. She helps out in many ways and supports me in my graduate school work while teaching. My cat is there is cuddle when you just need a hug type of day. She makes me calm and realizes that the small things should not be stressed over but the big picture is what matters. She brings me back to reality.

Positive relationships help out every individual. It is important to have many positive individuals in your life as a friend, guide, and companion through this thing we call everyday life.