The relationships that have been the most influential in my life is that of my son and my “Papa Friday.” The birth of my son was not one in which I was prepared for, I was just 18 years old but his impact will last me the rest of my life. Our relationship didn’t start the moment I found out that I was pregnant at 17 but after a couple of months when I decided to “buckle down” and be a mom. I just didn’t want to be a mom but I wanted to be a “good mom.” From that point to this very day the key to our relationship has been communication. My son has helped me to grow and develop into the woman that I am today. He has told me about selflessness and patience. In return I hope to rear him into the direction of becoming a good man.
Another influential relationship that I have is that with a man who is known as my “Papa Friday.” I love this man as though he were my own father. He has been a blessing in my life. I have known him since I was 13 years old and I met him through Vacation Bible School that I went to with my neighbors. Growing up without an “active” dad in the picture he has taught me so much about growing as a young lady and being a parent. As stated in the Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) believes that for children and youth to be successful from birth through adolescence, there must be an array of learning supports around them” (2006). He has truly been one of those supports. He has taught me to change oil and change a tire (even though the first time he didn’t tell me that I had to keep the rim! He laughed at me for a couple of days. He always wanted me to know how to take care of myself. I really value this relationship because it fulfilled a void that I had and didn’t really know how desperately I needed it to be filled. The key to our relationship is communication as well. We talk on the phone or in person 4-5 times a week.
The way that both of these relationship experiences contribute to my work as an early childhood professional is that they have taught me patience, selflessness and to always have a since of humor. These are key factors in working with children. As the old African Proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child.”
References
Harvard Family Research Project. (n.d.). A profile of the evaluation of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers—national. Cambridge, MA: Author. Retrieved January 1, 2007, from http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/profile.
the birth of a child is very special and creates a bond that no one can ever duplicate or take away. I remember the first time I felt my daughter and my son kick me. those moments were the ones that will always be remembered because that was the beginning of me understanding I am about to become a mother and bring life into the world.
ReplyDeleteThis was humorous, clear, and insightful. I enjoyed reading this. I pleased to know there are still great men out there who are willing to pour positive things into young women. Equally, my mom was a young parent as well; this makes me reflect on conversations we had in the past. I look forward to reading your future works!
ReplyDeleteYour story is similar to mine. I had my son at the age of 19. I was not ready for sure, I was fresh out of high school and did not have a clue what my next move would be, although I have a few ideas. Having my son gave me direction and ideas for my future. I had to prove to the world that the relationship with my son would be one that was positive, healthy and showed that age did not matter when raising children. The relationship we have today is one of the most important ones I have.
ReplyDeleteI love your use of the old adage "It takes a village to raise a child". It is relevant in today's society, which is why it is so very important to build relationship with the children that we teach and the families of those students.
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