Mom-To this day, my mother remains my best friend. I can talk to her about anything, she listens to me and is supportive of me in whatever I'm doing. In my early years, my mom worked full-time, so, while, she wasn't with me all day, I knew she cared about me and loved me. I understood from an early age that she needed to work to support our family and I think that is where I learned my strong work ethic from.
Dad-My dad was laid off from his job for a while when I was young and I had the priveledge of staying home with him during this time. We didn't have a lot of money to spend on different things, so many of my early childhood memories with my dad include fishing, feeding the ducks by the river and riding bicycles. One of my favorite childhood memories of my dad is when he entered me in a fishing derby at the local lagoon. I was able to catch a fish and after the day was done, mine was the biggest!! I won a bicycle and I think my dad was more proud than I was!
Grandma and grandpa-After my dad went back to work, I split time through the week with my grandma and grandpa and another babysitter. My grandma her hair done once a week and I loved going to the hair salon with her. She would let me go pick out a movie when we were all finished and watch it when we got home. We also watched the Price is Right and All My Children everyday. My grandpa enjoyed taking walks and working his garage and he let me tag along all the time. We would walk to the creek by their house and throw rocks in the water and look for turtles. He would also let me sit in his boat in the garage and pretend to fish. My grandparents spoiled me rotten and I loved going over there for all the attention they gave me!! They have both since passed away and I cherish those memories with them.
Robin-She was my other babysitter through the week and I was the only other child she watched, until my brother came along. She had two children and they all treated me just like I was another member of their family. They had a barn with horses and her daughter and I used to play out there all the time. I still have a birthday card Robin and her family made me one year for my birthday. They always made a big deal out of birthdays.
Gail-When I was in school and needed care in the summer, I went to an in-home daycare at Gail's house. It was wonderful!! She had other children, which included my cousins, and an awesome backyard to play in. I always loved going over there to spend time with my friends and cousins.
All of these people have helped shaped my life by giving me love, support, and unconditional love. I was taught from an early age to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, to be happy with what you are given and the value of hard work and working for what you want. I've carried all of traits these over into my adult life.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you decribed the "time" that you spent with all of your caregivers in your ecological model. I can see how each of your care givers truly gave you their time and how each one represented such a special relationship in their own way. I was not fortuante to have my grandparents live close to me growing up, it was great to read how your's were able to spend much time with you, caring for you, and offering time for play.
Dear Amber, i too had parents that both worked outside the home and i knew they had to if i had to eat, have clothes and a house. All my life i have learned great lessons of the value of education and work from my parents, especially my mother. Nothing stopped my mom from getting where she wanted. She waited until we were all grown before she got her bachelors degree in Education. As much as she is patient, she is persistent and that has helped her reach her goals. Back at home, we always and i mean always had someone from the extended family living with us, so we didnt really have babysitters coz the older people that watched us were a relation.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting thinking about where we come from as kids huh!
Great post.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI adore the things your father did with you. It seems as if he went outside the box to create memories. I think the best things to do with your loved ones are the things money can't buy. As a child, time with my loved ones mattered the most to me. Great post!
Thanks for the compliment in regards to my family photos. I believe photos are like windows into one's life. which is why I felt it was important to share them. Mrs. Estravit was an mazing teacher. She was the teacher everyone feared due to judging before experiencing. This was due to her stern method of teaching. I am so grateful and appreciative that I was able to experience being a student in her class. I am sure that with our knowledge, skills, and reflecting as a teacher we will aspire to be just as great.
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