- I am fortunate to have amazing supports in my life: from loved ones, practical everyday support, and physical support. My husband is my first and foremost supporter in my life. He is my rock. He supports my education journey with patience and encouragement, he supports my profession by advocating to anyone who will listen about the importance of early childhood education, he supports our family by working 50+ hours a week and spending every free moment on the floor wrestling with the kids, he supports my elderly parents (my father is a paralyzed on half of his body due to a brain tumor) and we spend a lot of time helping them out... the support is endless. He also supports me emotionally, when I cry, I cry on his shoulders. But as we all know, we need more support than just one amazing person.
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- My best friend, who happens to be my direct boss & supervisor at work is also a magnificent support. We laugh, we share frustrations, we support each others educational journey, we vent about husbands- I am so blessed!
- Last, but not least are my children ages 11 & 4. It is amazing how much children can support you without evening knowing it. They encourage me everyday to be a better person, a better momma, a better teacher... the list is endless. They make me laugh, and that supports my soul. As a family, we have been through a lot over the past few years, they make it all worth while, it would be impossible to survive without all my wonderful supports.
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- Hypothetical challenge: Losing My Job
- This situation would require every support I have access to, and I would lean on all of them! My husband would provide encouragement and emotional support as I struggle with emotions of rejection, depression, feeling inadequate, etc. My best friend could provide career support and connections to the profession of early childhood education, she would also be a shoulder to cry on. My children would help me relax and ground me to being a parent first, a professional second. I would laugh and cry and then would hug me and understand. In this scenario, any person would need supports, the more the merrier. Another support would be the unemployment office, local community childcare referral organization, your educational family/colleagues.... the list is endless.
