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Birth
On May 17, 1994, I was born at 7:34 pm. I weighed 8 pounds 1 oz and was 19 inches long. My mom had no complications during pregnancy and delivered me naturally. -
Sitting up unsupported
Sitting up is a gross motor skill. By 3 months, most babies can sit up with support, and at 6 months they can sit up unsupported. I was able to sit up at around the norm of 3 months. -
First word
By the first year the average baby utters a few words, understood by caregivers only. My first word was spoken at 11 months and was "dada" (dad). -
Secure attachment
By 8 months to 2 years, an attachment is formed. I had a secure attachment to my mother and father, This is shown by playing happily when caregivers are present, anxiety when they leave, both seek to physical proximity and contact. I exihibited all of these symptoms of a secure attachment. This secure attachment has implications for my past, present and future self in regards to relationships and other behaviors. -
Overregularization
When developing language, children around the age of four make the error of overregularization. Typical mistakes I made were the plural form of words like foot= foots instead of feet and mouses instead of mice. -
Tie shoes
The summer after I turned six, I learned to tie my shoes. I remember practicing for hours and when I finally was able to tie them, they were so loose they could barely stay tied. -
Imaginary friends
Imaginary friends (common from ages 3-7) combat loneliness and aid emotional regulation. I had two imaginary friends for many years. These imaginary friends also provide comfort and companionship. I remember playing with my imaginary friends every day (typical activities were house and chef). -
Exercise in school
During middle childhood, exercise was a large part of our school ciriculum. Twice a week we had gym class, there were special occassions around physical fitness (like Jump Rope For Heart), and outdoor recess always consisted of physical activities like soccer, basketball and tag. -
Social comparison
At around age ten, I had a well formed self-concept. To form this, I used social comparisons of my peers and judgments of overall society to gage who I was. An example was thinking I was intelligent in comparison to my peers because I would consistently get the highest grade on our times table tests. -
Jokes
During middle childhood jokes, metaphors and puns can be understood due to new cognitive flexibility. I remember being the last person in my grade to understand the joke "What is black, white and read all over?" I could not get it through my mind that it was "read" and not "red." -
Personal fable
During middle school the personal fable was something I lived by. This is when one believes their thoughts, feelings and experiences are more unique, wonderful and awful than others. I remember believing no one could understand what I was feeling (good or bad). For example I thought I had the worst parents in the whole world and their disciplining was more unreasonable than any of my friends. -
Sexual maturation
Primary and secondary sex characterists appear in adolescence. Primary sex organs increase dramatically in size and body features not directly related to reproduction develop to signify masculinity or femininity. I had my first mentrual cycle at age 12 and began developing breasts at the same age. -
Relationship with parents
During adolscence, my relationship with my parents was extremely strained. We had petty arguments, I felt misjudged, and wanted more independence. By my senior year in high school, I learned to appreciate my parents and they had adjusted to my independence. -
Financial support
Parents around the United States provide financial support for their children. While I am responsible for all of my school payments, my parents provide housing, food, and other financial support. I am fully aware that at this point I am unable to be financial independent. -
Time managment
Taking four classes, working, having a social life and having time for myself, I need to have time management skills. I must manage my priorities to decide what is most important to do first and what I can put off. I typically begin assignments early so I am not overwhelmed when I have other things to manage. -
Exercise
Currently in emerging adulthood, I exercise 3-5 days a week because I know the short and long term positive effects. I typically go to the gym and do cardio and toning or take my dog for a walk. -
Ecological niche
By adulthood, I should find my ecological niche which is selecting my hobbies, health habits, mates and neighborhood due to personality traits. I predict I will hit this milestone at age 26. I will have my core hobbies established, daily health habits, and a solid web of friends and acquaintances. -
Stressors
When stresses are internalized, they become stressors. Death, family, children and jobs can all become stressors in the future. I predict my job, finances and possible family will be the biggest stressors in my life. -
Grey hair
By the age of 40, many adults begin to see grey hair at the temples. At this age my mother began to notice this, and I can predict this happening for myself as well. -
Ageism
Late adulthood comes wit ageism, or being categorized or judged based on chronological age. Currently my family does this to my grandparents, defining them and telling them what they should or should not do based on their age. -
Disengagement theory
This theory refers to aging creating a narrow scrope, resulting in role relinquishment, withdrawl and passivity. With this younger generations disengage with older ones as well. I currently am experiencing this with my grandparents, which can result in depression. While I hope not to narrow my roles and withdraw, it is challenging not to when you are not in constant contact/communication with other generations and roles. -
Prospective memory
Propsective memory refers to remembering to do something in the future. This declines with age. Examples of this would be forgetting to take a pill or to turn of the stove after cooking dinner. I can predict myself forgetting to take pills, to write things down, call someone, or get food at the grocery store. -
Hospice
For those who are terminally ill, hopsice is an option to spend the finals days in comfort. Autonomy and decisions are respected, family and friends are counselled before death, how to provide care and guided mourning. Discomfort is relieved by hospice workers. This is a great option if I become terminal disease. I will be able to take the stress off of my family while remaining comfortable. -
Death and honest conversation
The stages of emotions from dying people are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. When people are dying they go through these challenging emotional stages until they accept their death. This will be an internal struggle for me when I reach this stage but it is important to go through the stages and discuss them with loved ones. -
Active euthanasia
This concept is when someone takes action to bring about another person's death, with the intent of ending that person's suffering. This is an option for those who are dying. Reasons some physicians condone this is suffering that cannot be relieved, incurable illness and a patient who wants to die. While this is a controversial idea, I think I will take advantage of this option. I cannot imagine being alive while in an extreme pain or prolonging medical care when the disease is incurable.
