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At about 6 months of age, my paternal grandmother decided I needed to be put into a foster home. I was incredibly lucky to have got a foster family who was, and still is amazing. I hug them and talk for hours any time I see them.
This most certainly tested the test/mistrust theory quickly! I adapted to trust these people and grew to love them. -
My birth parents were teenagers. Just 17 and 18. With that inexperience, my first few months of life were rather, for lack of a better word, hectic.
There was a lot to compare to the uninvolved aspects of Beamrind's parenting styles theory. They were so busy using me as a pawn in their efforts to upset each other that I was often left laying in day old milk in my crib.
This also began some feelings of mistrust as described in Erikson's theory. -
In my early childhood I was taken to a foster home, thankfully with a wonderful family who I still speak to as an adult, and then adopted by my maternal grandparents.
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After many months of fighting in court, my maternal grandparents won custody of me. I moved in with them shortly after my first birthday. I grew up with them as my parents, by age 5 calling them mom and dad. I shared a room with my youngest aunt who is 17 years older than I am and eventually called her my sister. I was aware of who my birth mom was and saw her very regularly.
She married and had another daughter in 1985 -
My early childhood years were spent with my cousins who lived next door and a few houses away. Both were boys. I spent my time driving dirt bikes, building forts in the woods, climbing trees and digging in mud.
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I began elementary school.
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Hand-eye coordination skills increased and I joined sports
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Hand-eye coordination skills increased and I joined sports
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On the day of my 7th birthday party, I went with all my friends and family to the bowling alley to celebrate my birthday. I was having a great time when a strange man showed up beside me and said "Hi, I'm your dad" with a big present in his hands. I was very distraught and confused but over time began spending time with him and his family.
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I discovered that I liked doing school led sports. I joined basketball, soccer, volleyball and track.
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I started becoming depressed. Peers were picking on me about not developing as quickly as they were, home life was up and down, I was confused and angry.
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Period time! I got my period in grade 7. At school. Very inconvenient.
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I was riddled with acne. On my face, my back, my neck, my chest, it was EVERYWHERE. This was a serious kick in the self esteem.
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Spent time every single day biking from daylight until dark with friends.
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I started my first job at 16. I worked at Zellers for 5 years. It was exciting, awful, fun, painful and I learned so very much during those years.
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My high school years were tough. I didn't really have one group that I spent all my time with. I was in the gym shooting hoops some days while playing cards in a classroom other days with completely different people. I had no academic drive what so ever. I hated school. I hated that I struggled with learning and my marks were awful. I ended up not graduating with my peers because I didn't have my credits by the end of grade 12.
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Thanks to an incredible teacher, I discovered that I had a huge love of writing! She encouraged me to explore poetry and essay writing and helped me find a pure love of writing and reading. Because of her, some of my poetry was published in a book. She also helped us create a school poetry print out that was circulated through the school each week. My work was printed on numerous occasions and my self confidence took a huge jump.
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I decided that I would go to a different high school that was semestered so that I only had to do a half year. I luckily had a great friend who surprised me by doing the same thing! We hung out every single day and I thrived at this school. I made lots of friends, I enjoyed going and I attended every single class to finally become a high school graduate.
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Got the diploma!
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I started working at the local bar as a waitress. Totally different atmosphere than the retail store I'd spent the last few years working in.
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During my first few weeks at my second job I met the man who would eventually become my husband.
This ties into Erikson's theory where I developed intimacy with Chris. -
FINALLY moved out of my parents house and into a cute little house Chris and I had rented. By 'finally', I mean that I was 19 and simply could not handle being at home any longer ha ha.
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Our first baby arrived! A little boy!
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We rushed into needing a space of our own so we bought a tiny, OLD mobile home. Not having the life experience or the knowledge that we should listen to our parents led us to rush this decision and we ended up needing to sell it after a few years for next to nothing and move.
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A small, intimate wedding with our friends and family!
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Having a baby at home made it tough to go back to work. He struggled with daycare and the emotional stress was just too much. I started working for myself doing event planning. I pulled together some pretty great trade shows over the years! Wedding shows, craft shows, parties, weddings, the list is long!
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Lots of careful planning led to baby #2.
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A huge surprise led to baby #3
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Once the last baby went to school I decided it was time to be involved. I started volunteering at school anywhere and everywhere I could. I ended up doing lunch duty because I loved being there. This got me to start pondering my career choices.
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I made the leap! I took the 3 day course offered by SSRCE (SSRSB at the time) and became a TA. At first I was booked pretty steady as a sub. Shortly after that I started getting hired for terms here and there. I've finally discovered my passion. My reason for being here. I could not love this job any more if I tailor made it!
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Knowing how much I loved the job but also having the barrier that I could never take a permanent position was tough. I decided it was time to make the leap and enroll in the course. I'm actually enjoying being back in school much more than I anticipated. I enjoy being able to write again.