I have different relationships in my life they have developed over the course of time and situations ofmy life. I believe without relationships I would have no meaning to life. I would just dry up and die. Inorder to be a healthy human being everyone must have relationships that lead to partnerships.Relationships and partnerships are a two way-avenue all parties involved must give and take something.I know in my situation, I give what I can and let God do the rest. Below is a guideline and answers aboutthese relationships.
Explain why relationships/partnerships are important to you.
Relationships are important to me because they help me function, motivate me and give me a will to livein a dog eat dog world. My family and friends are very important to me because if I feel burdened downI can talk to them or get financial support from them. My church family are important because they helpme increase my faith in Christ. They also are a good support system when I am overwhelmed by thingsin life. However, even though my family and friends support are important, my most importantrelationship is in my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
Identify several people with whom you currently have positive relationships and/or partnerships
My husband Johnnie Phillips, Sr. My sons Johnnie and Cameron Phillips. My sister Deborah Cornelius,My friends Katie Jennings, and Theresa Alexander.
Describe the ways in which each relationship is positive and factors that contributed to developing andmaintaining each relationship.
Johnnie Phillips, Sr. is my husband. My husband may be a man and out of work, but he washes myclothes, cleans up and even cleans the car. He does what he can even though he cannot find a job rightnow. Sometimes it is good to have a house husband even though women are looked as housewiveswhen they stay at home and it is more accepted if they do. Nevertheless, folks, it is good to come hometo a place that is cleaned up and have someone to wash your clothes. I maintain this relationship, by notbeen overly judgmental because he is out of work as a matter of fact as long as I am making enoughmoney I do not care to much if he is out of work because it is not his fault. Johnnie and Cameron Phillipsare my sons that I have a good relationship with because I love them and they have been one of myfinancial support systems when I was out of work myself. I love it when they let their children go tochurch with me. My sons are also good people to talk to as well on certain things even though we maydisagree about certain perspectives. I sometimes babysit their children. I maintain this relationship bytalking to them on the phone, texting them, babysit for them and encouraging them. My sister DeborahCornelius and I are seven years apart and we basically have different friends and go to differentchurches. However, if I need someone to unload all my burdens, hopes, and desires on she will listen tillshe falls asleep. I maintain this relationship by trying to be respectful and encouraging. My friend KatieD. Jennings is a good friend she seems to think like me. If I am serious sick or have surgery she will visitme, she will take me out to eat. Whatever goals I have in life she has similar goals. We are both called topreach and she is currently a pastor of a church, and I hope to be one myself one day. She is a friendthat is almost like a twin in our interests. What maintains this relationship is that we are around the
same age, we are both called to preach, we have similar goals in life and we talk to each other quite abit.
My friend Theresa Alexander has been a friend to me for a long time. We both like church and we bothare called to preach even though I already have become a preacher, but I am temporarily not preachingbecause of a situation in the United Methodist denomination that I messed up. We both are motivatorsof her son to achieve in life. Theresa’s innocence, support, and faith in me is what has maintain thisfriendship.
Describe insights regarding challenges to developing and maintaining relationships that you havelearned from your experience over time.
Some challenges are financial problems, clinging and not wanting to let go, thinking you always right.Sometimes even jealously can be a challenge to a relationship. However, I think if you let God guide youin all things challenges to relationships will not be as bad.
What do you see as special characteristics of these relationships that make some, if any, partnerships.
My husband, Johnnie’s relationship is a partnership because we are married and I have empathy in thesituations he is in and I can truly say with him I married him for richer or poorer, sickness and in healthand if we do not get caught up in the rapture, till death do us part. In addition, he supports me in myambitious, hesitantly at first and then he gives in.
My sons Johnnie and Cameron Phillips, they are partnerships because they are my sons and they havetruly shown me that blood is thicker than water by their love and respect for me. I truly love and respectthem as well.
My friend Katie D. Jennings relationship is a partnership because we have known each other sincechildhood, we graduated from the same high school in the year 1978. She was my best friend in highschool. We started out going to the same college even though we both waited till we were older tofinish college but at different institutions. We have similar ideas as far as ministry. We are both called topastor even though she is already a pastor. Finally, after all these years we are friends even though wewere separated for a while from friendship.
My friend Theresa Alexander, has so much faith in me. She has faith in me despite the odds and this is agreat cause for my relationship with her to be a partnership. She may not be on the level that I am insome things, but she has tremendous faith in me.
How might your experiences with relationships/partnerships that make some, if any, partnerships,including your ability to be active, reflective contributor, impact your work as an effective early childhoodprofessional.
I think because I can empathize with people, I can understand children’s frustrations and sadness. Thiswill help me to motivate children, families, and providers accordingly. I think because I am a mother andgrandmother this will help me love and understand children. I believe because I am a Christian and goaloriented this will help me pray for children and be guided how to be a good early childhoodprofessional. I know these children have faith in me and I do not want to let them down unless it issomething out of my hand and then I can only put the problem in the hands of God.
