My Supports

The support system that I have comes from the people that are in my life.  Support can come in various forms.  Support does not always mean in a monetary way.  Support can be just listening, providing advice or encouragement.  Support is non-judgmental, forgiving, caring and provides a sense of security. Support can be doing some sort of an everyday chore that helps you out from time to time. I have many people in my life that provides me with all kinds of support. First of all my boyfriend, Bryan.  He supports me in every way possible and in ways he doesn't even know.  There is not a day that he doesn't make me smile. The most important way he supports me is with respect.  Everything falls in place when there is respect.  I am very lucky to have met him and to have him in my life.  Second, my parents and other family members have always supported me. I am very grateful for the wonderful family I have.  My parents still provide support to me and my girls as well as for my brother and his children.  They are always there for anyone in the family.  Both of my parents support me in many ways.   My mom really encouraged me and gave me the "push" to get started on my Master's degree.  My dad takes my trash to the dump for me each week, saving me time and money for trash service.  I know I can always count on my parents and other family members for anything.  As such, I have learned how important it is to be there for people not only when things are good and fun, but real support is when there are those moments that can be quite trying and difficult.  At some point or another in our lives we have the moments that are the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly.  I am so glad that my children have had the benefit of my family's support and to have my family as a role model of what a real family does and what true support is.  They have definitely had the bad and the ugly moments from their other biological family.  I say biological because blood does not always mean family, friend, support system or even a relationship. Sometimes those that are hurtful are better off not being in your life.  Third, I have the support of friends and great co-workers.  I have to say some of my friends are like family and some of my co-workers are really good friends.  The support I have received from them has been amazing.  True friends ride the roller coaster of life with you.  Also with all my support systems I find it is multi-directional.  Just as all these people have been there for me, I am there for them as well. 

 When I think of a challenge I think of what a challenge life would be without my support systems.  I believe I rely on my support systems in my everyday life.  I have had my share of the good, the bad and the ugly times and I don't know how I would have gotten through the bad and the ugly without support from family and friends. But I also know that I do not need to be in a crisis in order to need support.  It can be the everyday things in life that I need support with.  Whether it is needing to drop off my car for repairs:  I need someone to help me drop off my car, perhaps give me a ride and then take me to pick up my car.  While at work, I talk with my co-workers/friends and we bounce ideas off each other, look at ways to be more efficient and to provide the best practices to the children and families in our program.  There are some days in which I may have had a crazy or bad day and just by talking to someone makes me feel better.   On the days in which something great has happened I share it with the people in my life.  Life is full of many things, it can be great, it can be hard and scary.  I think about those that do not have such support systems and I can't imagine how difficult it is.  Everyone needs something or someone to count on. 

My Connections to Play

Quotes About Play:

"Play is not only our creative drive; it's a fundamental mode of learning."
David Elkind


"Play is our brain's favorite way of learning."
Dianne Ackerman



Images of Play From My Childhood:

I loved to play with the "Little People".  I had the house, little town, the airport and boat.
  I would play for hours and hours.  I played with these toys for years. 

 

 

 

I loved my Barbie Townhouse.  I had a variety of the different Barbie and Ken dolls.
I would decorate the townhouse for different holidays.  I also had the Barbie Corvette. 
Dolls from T.V. shows also came out such as Sonny and Cher and Charlie's Angels.
  I added them to my collection.  What fun I had with my cousins and friends!

 

 

 

Oh I loved my "Green Machine".  I loved to play outside with my friends. 
We would ride our Green Machines, Big Wheels and bikes. 
We would attach a wagon with ropes and make trains and buses. 

 

I can honestly look back at my childhood and say I was a fortunate and happy child.  My parents were not wealthy, just regular people but family was first.   My dad worked hard to support and provide for my family.  My mom started working when I was in elementary school and until I started high school she worked part-time.  Not to say my family was perfect, my parents did divorce when I was in college, however overall I had a good childhood.  My brother and I played together a lot when we were younger.  During the spring, summer and fall we played outside all the time.  After rain storms we would run and play in the ditch that was full of rain water.  We would play all day.  When the porch light came on it was time to come home.  During the summer we would even play in the dark either to catch lightning bugs or play hide-n-seek.  I lived in a neighborhood with many children and we played together all the time.  We would ride bikes, play ball, ride our Big Wheels or Green Machines, skate, hula-hoop, jump rope and all kinds of things. 

 

My parents supported our play by building a small paved area where we had a basketball goal.  This was more for my brother but even my parents and my friends' parents played basketball.   My friends and I  would use the area with sidewalk chalk and make roads for our Green Machines and Big Wheels, make hopscotch patterns, and even mark a court to  play around the world with basketball.  When I was about seven or eight my parents built me a playhouse.  My friends and I would play house, school, grocery store, and beauty shop in my playhouse.    My playhouse is still there, as my dad still lives in the house where I grew up.  It was great as my girls played in the playhouse too.  Our neighborhood also had a pool that families could join.  My parents were members and we spent many hours at the pool.  

 

I think play is very different today verses when I was growing up.  There are many families today where both parents are working, more single parents are raising children and are working and children are spending most of their waking hours at school and daycare.  Children today are not outside like when I was growing up.  I believe this is due to the technology of today.  With video games, I-pads, cell phones and cable T.V. with movies on demand children are less active.  I also believe children are not outside playing as much because they are not at home.  Children are in school, in after school programs, and there are those that are in structured activities and sports.  Many of these children are in structured activities year round with many of the teams traveling every weekend for games.  Children do not have the "down time" to play.  While the exercise and activity of structured sports is good, as is learning about team work, children need time to just run and play.  When many children get home it is time to eat, do homework and go to bed. 

 

As an adult I engaged in play with my children.  I would play dolls with them, ride bikes, roller blade and play games.  Though they are grown and in college we still play.  We play the Wii and other games together.  At family reunions one of the favorite things we do is play a game of softball with everyone.  This includes all the adults and children.  It is a great time.  I also play with my young cousins and nieces.  At work, my job allows me to visit classrooms and I play with the children.  I still have lots of fun!