Relationship Reflection

The relationship in my life that is of the most importance is my higher power, then my husband.  It took a lot for me to reach a point where I could trust a relationship again, because I dealt with a lot in my previous marriage.  Once I began to converse with my husband over nine years ago, I knew that he was a good man who would one day be my husband; but most importantly I could tell that he was a man who loved the Lord.  Having a positive, loving, and trusting relationship is very important to me.  I love being in a relationship because I have a lifetime companion with whom I can discuss my deepest fears, concerns, and dreams.  I can also be myself with him like no one else.  My husband/partner constantly challenges me to be the best that I can be even when I want to give up and keeps me in check when I get whiny and start to feel sorry for myself.  He also helps me to see things from a different point of view without being condescending or aggressive when I am so "passionate" about certain issues.  It is important to me that I have someone that I am still very much in love with and with whom I can be silly, have an intellectual conversation, or just sit in silence comfortably.  We have always had the chemistry, but reaching the point of understanding and fully respecting one another took communication, discussing common goals, and working towards them together.  Now we have three beautiful children that we can raise in a happy and loving home while teaching them to be respectful and kind to others and productive members of society.

The next relationships of importance are my children.  The reason why I have them listed in this order is because I was taught that the husband is to be placed before the children.  Eventually your children will grow up and leave your nest; therefore it is important that I maintain my strong connection with my husband.    Many couples end up divorcing after the children leave the nest because they no longer have anything in common.  Even though the children will receive most of your attention (because they need it), it is still vital to stay close with your spouse.  I love my children dearly and one of the very important things that I have learned is patience.  Before having children, I was intolerant of misbehavior from children and pretty much thought they were just snot nosed little brats.  If I was in a store and saw a child screaming over a toy or yelling at their parents...the list goes on, I would always say that the child could not be mine.  Now that I am a mother, I have respect for all mothers!  Children will be children and the important thing is to love them unconditionally, teach them right from wrong and to follow through by remaining accountable to your word.  I have many friendships and relationships that are positive, but the ones of my family are the most important.

In my opinion, when the relationships in the home are secure, everything else falls into place.  The fact that I am a mother of three little boys ages 12, 3, and 15 months, helped to raise many of my nieces and nephews, and a volunteer at my church with the infants through fifth graders provides me with the abilities to be an effective early childhood professional.  I have to deal with the parents constantly when checking the children in and out at church.  That type of communication with the parents is definitely not like some of the professionals in my classes but I am gaining the experience while traveling as a military spouse and a full-time mother.