Relationship Reflection

Written by Deborah Trowbridge

I dedicate this post to my supportive husband.

In my early childhood studies I have been learning about how impactful relationships are for successful child development.  Families and teachers nurture children so they feel safe, secure, and confident so that children are willing to explore and learn new things. 

My husband is my number one nurturer.  He makes me feel confident, especially when I explore and try new things!  He always supports and encourages me when I look to take a step up in my job or explore further education.  He never puts limits on my exploration and always assures me that I am very capable of doing what I choose to do.  If he didn’t give me this support, I would likely not have had the pleasure of my current job nor be pursuing a graduate certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management & Leadership.  I seek to offer my husband the same support and encouragement when he pursues new things in his life.

I have several friendships that have become near and dear to me over the years.  They are all relationships that started because we were experiencing something in common (college, work) or we had similar interests (hiking, cooking, exploring).  Once we got to know each other and spend more time with one another, we bonded, which created a lasting friendship.  Even though some of my friends live in different places in this world today, we still are friends because of the close bond we established and continue to communicate with one another.

As I reflect on why these friendships flourished, it wasn’t just because we have something in common or we had similar interests, it was because we both enjoyed each other’s company.  We listened to each other, sharing our everyday experiences, joys and struggles.  We would learn new things about life while sharing ourselves.  Our encounters were always genuine.  We started to know each other’s likes and dislikes and could anticipate each other’s reactions to certain situations.  We miss each other’s presence when away from one another.  We encourage and support each other through our different phases of life and we offer advise if it is sought.  We trust one another.

Relationships have challenges too.  The biggest challenge to my friendships is distance.  My family and I have been moving around for the last 5 years by sailboat.  Communication with friends has been far less than I would like.  There have been times when I wished a new friendship started would flourish, but it did not.  It usually had to do with a lack of commitment.  One of us didn’t follow through on something we were planning to do together or we were just too busy for each other.  In all relationships, there are times when we disappoint one another, a set back, and need time to heal so that the relationship can flourish again.

I can see that the things that make my current relationships work are the same things that make my Early Childhood relationships work: trust, commitment, sharing, listening, investing, time, giving, sincerity, etc.  I can also see that the same challenges exist: lack of presence, other commitments, lack of communication, disappointment, etc.  Relationships are hard work!  In order for us to have successful relationships that encourage ourselves and others to grow, we have to work at it.  The blessings will be bountiful if we do.  J