MY CONNECTIONS TO PLAY

      Relationships are very important to me because I am uncomfortable in situations involving negative feelings. I happen to be a very "gray" area person, often able to see both sides of disagreement, therefore having trouble "siding". So I try to make friends with everybody. It doesn't always work, because you can't please everybody, obviously. But I do have a high success rate, and for those that don't like me or judge me for being too nice, your loss!!

      If more people would be open and honest, and sincere, we would have much happier relationships, which would bring about more productive activities. Compromise, support, flexibility, charity....these are ideals I wish more people had.

     I make it a point to get along with parents. Because, as we learned by documented research, parent involvement is beneficial to the child, I want our parents to feel as comfortable and secure as possible. This is one reason I love being an infant teacher. From the first contact at orientation, I smile, look them in the eye, seen genuinely interested in their questions or concerns, answer everything to the best of my ability, and make sure they know they can call or ask anything, anytime. If they make a mistake (MCCS has lots of rules) I take responsibility, reassuring them that I probably did not make it clear. 

     Some people I have positive relationships with are parents, who I love to be around as much as possible. I have yet to meet two more upbeat, happy people anywhere in my life. My best friend, who I have known since I was born, is also a person with whom my relationship is strong and positive. I can feel comfortable telling her anything.  We have had our disagreements, but have always talked them out to discover no ill intentions ever existed, just mis-communications.

      With regard to my chosen career, Ms. Jessica is the most current, influential person I have a positive relationship with. We work together everyday for 7 hours, and have a compatible work ethic. Although we don't always agree, we do listen to each other's point of view and try to work together to resolve any issues that may come up, those being fewer and further between as time goes by. I am the lead, much older with more experience, but she has many more years with the current government run facility. She knows Marine Corp Order, and I know working parents perspectives.  Challenges come up with regard to denying care due to possible illness. I understand the importance of not spreading sickness, but I also understand parents can't always just leave work when the symptoms we are seeing may be temperatures from teething, crankiness from change in routine, red eyes from allergies. We usually agree on "courtesy call" and watch the child closely. We have very open detailed communication, sprinkled with teasing and light sarcasm, that keeps disagreements from undermining our jobs. Over the past year, we have worked together so well, and have such great relationships with our parents, that other workers floating for breaks and lunches declare our room the calmest, happiest to work in. 

    My husband of 32 years has caused me to do much soul searching and self-reflection. Like any relationship, we have had our challenges and our triumphs. He is very different from me but we have always enjoyed each other's company. I believe he loves the things about my personality that are not like his own rather than judge me for these traits. Our differences have not caused us to dislike each other; they lead us to more open acceptance, trying to understand each other's perspectives and why we feel or act the way we do. Most times, anyway!! 

 My mother and I have a very close relationship. She often will share an opinion about something that would never have occurred to me. I love to run things by her before I act because she will invariably come up with an aspect to consider that I hadn't thought of. I learned how to be open and accepting from her; I have never heard her judge or talk disrespectfully of anyone or any group. Over the years, I have learned some of what a difficult and miserable childhood my mother had, but so little is shared because she wants to remain positive and happy. This helps me stay positive when life gets tough. 

Each of these relationships is built on optimism, acceptance, and a little blind faith in the other person. These traits help me form bonds with parents which will then encourage them to uphold a positive attitude toward the partnership with us that is so necessary for optimal development of their child. Newsletters, photos, anecdotes are all great tools for communication but they are more likely to be read, looked at, and cherished if they are accompanied by genuine warmth and openness of attitude.