My Connections to Play

Two quotes:

Essential Play Items When I Was Little:

My favorite toys growing up help me realize that I wanted to me a mom. Helping my children grow and experience life is fulfilling and enjoyable.

Role of play in your childhood:

Play for a child has changed so much since I was a child.  When I was little we used our imaginations and did not depend on electronic devices for entertainment.  My parents limited the amount of time my sister and I were allowed to watch television allowing us plenty of time to pretend we were mommies or teachers.  Children today use game consoles and electronic gadgets to help them play.  Times were simpler and I remember pretending I was anything I wanted without needing electronics.  Children need to use their imagination I feel it helps their brains develop fully.  Encouraging children to pretend and explore the possibilities available to them it helps them see what could be.  

As a child I pretended I had children and it helped me see what I wanted when I grew up.  I now am a mom with four fantastic kids.  I enjoy playing with my kids and watching them play the kids are supposed to play.  Children should try out different options when they are young, not that it will make adult life easy or worry free but it can shed some light on the possibilities available to them.  Let them pretend they are firemen, mechanics, a dog catcher, or a stay at home parent those pretend situations help children grow and learn realizing their aspirations. 

Relationship Reflection

                 Christopher and Amanda Meier (Married February 22, 1997)

The relationship and encouragement I receive from my family and friends is what helps me through the tough times and help me celebrate the great times.  Through my adult years I have faced my stumbling blocks both with my education and with my career and it is from those I have learned just how strong I am and exactly what I am truly capable of.  My biggest supporter is my high school sweetheart and husband of almost 14 years, Christopher.  He sits with me as I pull all niters writing and proofing papers for submission and encourages me when I feel like I can't read one more textbook or article.  Or when I choose to stay home instead of going out and having fun with our friends.  He helps me focus on the final goal and that great feeling I will experience when I am able to someday help children that would otherwise be lost in the system.  It is because of his love I feel I have made it as far as I have because I know I would have probably have given up a long time ago without such a strong supportive man by my side. 

            Amanda and Bobbi (University of Phoenix Class of 2007)

Developing quality long lasting relationships personally and professionally take time and effort on all persons involved parts.  Relationships are built on trust which takes time to build.  Another key element to a positive relationship is communication that can be honest and open even in the difficult times.  No ones life is problem free, it is the relationships that help you through those times that really make the world of difference.  It is not hard to be a friend when things are going well a true friend sticks around and helps a person through the hard ones.  A friend that has stuck by me through the years during the good times and the bad is my best friend and colleague Bobbi.  I met her in the first few weeks of classes when we were both working towards our Associates Degree.  We helped each other and encouraged each other all the way through to gradation for our Bachelors Degree from the University of Phoenix.  To this day she is the first one I call when I need to vent, need a shoulder to cry one, or call to celebrate a good grade received in a class that was giving me a hard time.  Bobbi has truly been by my side through the good times and the bad ones, she is my best friend and confidant whose relationship means the world to me.