My connections to play!

These are 3 quotes I found that spoke to me regarding play as a child:

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -  Fred Rogers

Some things can only be understood when you're in a tree house.  With a pile of warm chocolate chip cookies.  And a book.  ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

Always jump in the puddles! Always skip alongside the flowers. The only fights worth fighting are the pillow and food varieties. ~Terri Guillemets

As I was thinking about play items I had that were essential to my childhood, I kept remembering the awesome items that were a staple to my childhood. I found more than I needed to post, but I wanted to share them anyway. Here they are! (When uploaded they do not take the form of an image, I've tried multiple ways to paste them....if scrolled over the top of box and click it, it does show the item. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. )

 

Technology and media is much more accessible these days to children even at an early age. Yes, when I was younger I had Nintendo and Game Boy, but that was only on occasion and mostly something to do on a rainy or snowy day. There were no IPads, IPods or laptops for kids that took up most of their time. My kind of play involved being outside getting dirty and using my imagination. There is a big push I see for sports and extracurricular activities which is wonderful, but takes much time away from that pretend play and free time that children need to develop. More time is spend using paint and drawing programs on the computer instead of using real life art materials to create a masterpiece. I know we live in a world today where technology is everywhere and is a necessity to learn, but I feel it is taking over the lives of children. Yes, they need to know how to use different forms of technology for school use and to retrieve information, although I don’t feel it needs to be so apparent in the life of a child. 

My parents always encouraged me to go outside and play instead of being inside. I was able to use household items to create whatever it was I was fabricating in my head. I had the push and incentive from my parents to be creative and I feel that is why I am the adult I am today. I feel things have become simpler for children today which doesn’t give the children that opportunity to use their creative side and their imagination to make their thoughts and visions come alive. In my opinion too much time is spent being inactive when children should be moving, creating and exploring. 

Relationship Reflection

This year I’ve had the chance to really reflect on the relationships, past and present in my life and which ones were worth fighting for. I’ve always had relationships in my life that have come and gone, a few that I know will be with me forever and one I knew that would last a lifetime. This year I wound up realizing that what I thought was a positive relationship in my life was really a negative and unhealthy one. I made the decision to end my marriage, a relationship of 14 years because I realized the importance of positive relationships, and unfortunately mine was not anymore. The hardest decision I ever had to make became easier because of the other relationships I have in my life. The reason I share this information is because the friend that came into my life shortly before this happened and the relationship I have with her is what pulled me through and kept me a float during this time. She brought back the smiles that were gone and the good that was lost. A very unexpected relationship, but one that I needed in my life to show me the great that is out there in the world. She showed me the true importance of having strong relationships in your life and the happiness they can bring, and I am happy to share the joy she has brought back into my life. There are many kinds of relationships in this world, finding the positive ones became a challenge for me for a long time. Although a once forever relationship has come to an end, it has given me the strength to strive for better, knowing there are people in my life that are there to pick me back up if I fall. 

In my family there are many broken relationships, which have made me realize the importance of maintaing the ones I have. The relationship I have with my mother has shown me the pure strength that relationships can hold, and that some cannot be broken. Being able to believe that someone will always be there for you, stand by your side and willing to work through opposing beliefs is a great feeling. Although I feel no relationship or partnership can be perfect. It is what you make of it and the way you work to keep it alive. 

I don’t know why certain people come into our lives and why we develop relationships with them, but I know I would not be where I am today in my life if not for many of these relationships I hold, old and new. I am so grateful to the people in my life that have shown me what it is I truly deserve. Maintaining these strong and healthy relationships are not easy, but one that deserves my full attention and commitment.