~ My Support ~

In discussing my supports, there are many people that are supportive to me daily. First my greatest support would have to be my Family. My family as a whole have been there for me in all areas of my life, and have been there since day one. (My mom, sister, dad, grandma, and my aunt.) I am currently working two full jobs and they are very supportive. They help out with my kids a great deal. Working two jobs trying to provide and make a living for those girls and I, I have little time to share with them. They alternate days to keep them for me while I work. They make sure the are fed and school work is done. I just recently had to move back home with my parents because of financial and health problems and they were there with open arms to accept us back in to their homes. I have a very close-knit family, we have a strong bond with each other and yes, disagreements arise, and we have heated moments but we get passed that and have each other backs no matter what. My family is very important and I do not know what I would do without them in my life.
~ " Family... a group experience of love and support. "  Author Unknown ~

Next, my greatest support would be my friends. I have two bestfriends who have been there for me since my early adulthood life. We met in college as roommates and have been friends every since. We have been through good times and bad times. Especially going through the bad relationships with my kids father they have been there by my side encouraging and uplifting me. Even when they gave me advice about different situations and chose not to listen they did not turn their back on me or not once said "I told you so". Road trips together, Drinks, Laughs, and Fun!! We are always there for one another and down for whatever. I love them and I don't know what I would do without them as well.
~ " A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are" Author Unknown ~

My co-workers are also very supportive of me. We support each other. They are there to help me when I do not understand something or just need to talk. We constantly ask each other if it something we can do to make each other load lighter. At my second job they are supportive as well because they allow me to take breaks to catch on my school work, both jobs are very understanding and supportive of my dreams.

~"  I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back." Marianna Williamson ~

Last but not least, my church family is very supportive also. My faith in GOD plays a major role in my life. I am constantly praying to GOD for support, guidance, and strength. For I know I could not do anything without him in my life.

" ~ Understand to achieve anything require FAITH and belief in yourself, vision, hardwork, determination, and dedication. Remember all things all are possible for those who believe."
~ Gail Devers ~

A challenge for me to imagine is that if all my support was gone, there would be no way possible to do things I needed to do in order to make a living for my kids and I. I would probably be a mental wreck with no hair.  My state of mind would be devastating and I would be depressed. I would hate for this to happen, I even hate thinking about it. Thank GOD for my support system.

~ My Connections to Play ~

~ Play Quotes ~ 

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” ~ O. Fred Donaldson

“The opposite of play is not work. The opposite of play is depression.” Brian Sutton-Smith (play scholar)

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning…They have to play with what they know to be true in order to find out more, and then they can use what they learn in new forms of play.” ~ Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood)

When I was younger there were many people who supported play. My teachers, parents, neighbors, and other people around the community. I can remember in headstart we would have recess, at home after doing homework and on weekends my parents would always encourage us to go outside and play. At that time we were all staying with my grandmother and her yard was the biggest in the neighborhood in which we stayed. My uncle who is a couple years older than me would invite friends over and they would come over and play.  It started off just the boys playing basketball until my mom got out there with them and encouraged my sister and I to play. Then the girls finally started to come. Then before you knew it, grandma house was the spot to play. We went from basketball, to kickball, to dodgeball, to hide and seek, to play teacher. : ) (the good days) We would have a yard full of children. The parents of those children started coming over to see why their children were dying to get to grandma house and they ended up bonding and starting friendships with my grandma. My grandma would always encourage us and tell us to go outside and play. I can remember making mud pies with my cousins and when we played teacher the dirt road infront of our house was the board. We would use sticks to write and play in the dirt. I remember my first kitchen set. My mom and I would pretend we were having a tea party or even cooking and I would pretend to pour tea in her cup and we drink and talk. In playing I learned how to communicate, I learned gender roles, we stayed in fit, it helped to boost my self esteem which allowed me to positively accept myself and most of all I was able to form and build relationships that were meaningful and that I still cherish today. All because my grandma and my parents supported play.

Play today is not as important as it should be. Parents and society today are focused to much on academics and preparing children to pass test that they forget about how important it is. With technology taking over the world, the trend now is video games, IPOD, IPADS, Playstations and much more. I feel we are crippling and handicapping our children. On the health outlook so many of our children are overweight and obese because of poor diets and habits. Parents today, and myself at times are so tied up with making sure we buy our children that game they want instead of buying things that increases play. Even in pre-school now it's less recess time and more instructional time. My daughter who is two comes home with homework sheets to do. I thought this was a good thing and starting instructional teaching would put her ahead until now, I can truly see the difference and harm we are causing.

Play is very critical and is a very natural way for children to learn because it uses all of their senses. Playtime allows children to practice taking in information and organizing it to solve problems and understand their environment. Playtime gives an opportunity for children to learn, focus, and build self-confidence and self-esteem. 

Listed below are pictures of things I use to play with when I was younger.