Isolation

There are many struggles that are faced throughout life.  How you rebound from them is characteristic of one's strength and resilience.  Growing up without a mother directly in my life was challenging.  Starting in elementary school, it never dawned on me that having a mother in my life would make a difference, it did.  By the time I was in middle school it seemed that everyone knew that my mom was struggling with an addiction.  I  was taunted and teased.  Feeling hopeless and helpless, I did not want to go to school.  I made many excuses to come home early or not to go.  I felt that my mother and father did not love nor want me.  By this time, I was living with an aunt and her three children.  It was hard because I never felt like I belonged but I had no where else to go.  Attempts to contact my father were unsuccessful.  I started to stay inside and not talk to anyone.  Holding all my emotions inside, I became depressed and told my aunt that I felt alone. Helpless and isolated, I had to figure out a way to press on. Finding the courage to face fellow classmates and persevere was my biggest challenge.  I decided to try and beat the odds.  I was told by family members and classmates that I would end up like my mother, this was not something I wanted.  I started to put my time into my studies to become a better me. I graduated at the top of my high school class.  By this time, my mother was living a clean and healthy lifestyle.  She was married to a wonderful man and had a successful job.  I came to the realization that no one is perfect and I need to forgive in order to heal.  I confronted her and my father about my feelings and I forgave both of them.  I proved others wrong.  However, I did not seek counseling until I was an adult because it was a necessary step before I started a family.  Isolation held me back temporarily but determination helped my get through it. 

Nutrition/Malnutrition

Health is an important part of development as well as learning.  Starting when a child is in the womb, it is important that the child is receiving proper and adequate nutrition for growth and development.  We all know that many children do not receive the proper nutrition which can result in abnormalities of a child.  This is evident when a child is taken to the doctor and his weight and height are compared to the average child of the same age.  Nutrition is directly related to all aspects of growth and development which will influence health through adulthood.  A better quality of life is another result of proper diet and nutrition. 

This topic is meaningful to me because my youngest son exercises daily but still gained weight.  I noticed a change in the color of the back of his neck.  I immediately made and appointment with his doctor.  I was informed that many parents associate discoloration to poor hygiene but it a sign of diabetes.  She told me that although I cooking the right things, we were eating at the wrong time, late in the evening.  I had to change how I cooked because I get home late in the evening.  As a result of this the changes I made, my son's weight decreased and his attention span improved. 

There are so many children who do not receive the proper nutrition and its is sad because once they go home, many of them do not receive  a meal until the following day at school.  This was noticed in the local schools.  They coupled with a local organization and did food drives. Children are allowed to come in and get food to take home to ensure that they have something to eat when they go home.  I always give whenever there is a food drive going on because this could change and I could be needed assistance as well.  It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that children are well nourished and know the importance of good health.  Proper diet, nutrition, and exercise helps to extend life.  Studies have shown that this is when children perform at their best.

Childbirth

It was a hot day in June.  I was starting to feel the toll of the added weight that pregnancy added to my body. The day started out as normal with cleaning and then cooking.  I experienced complications throughout this pregnancy but this particular day was different.  By evening, things started to change, I started experiencing pain that I had never felt before, more frequent and more severe.  I became very nervous and woke my husband so we could go to the hospital.  Once I arrived, I was taken to labor and delivery immediately due to previous complications.  I felt apprehensive and overwhelmed of the fact that I was about to become a mother, responsible for another human being. The baby was delivered by noon the following day.  My first impression when I saw him has been described to me as shock.  Naturally, the motherly-instinct began.  This was a special moment in my life where I thought I was not prepared at all but I really was! Preparation is key to any task including childbirth, mentally and physically. 

As my son grew older, I learned to teach him based on his personality.  We grew and learned together.  This was an experience I will never forget.  The care I received during my pregnancy allowed me to have a healthy and well-nourished child with no major health issues.  This is a key factor in child development, this will allow them to focus better on the task at hand.