As a child, I dealt with living in poverty. When I was very little my mom told me that we moved a lot! I don't remember many of the moves. I only remember the last three homes we lived in when I was little. In one home we had rats and bats. I remember waiting for my Uncle Gene to come pick us up one night because there were many bats flying around our house. The next place we lived in was a single wide trailer. It was very small, but we made it work for several years. My mom didn't work, hadn't graduated from high school, and was not employed. My dad was a fence installer and self-employed. I guess I was fortunate that I really didn't realize that we were poor. I think that the stressor that affected me the most was my dad making me feel ugly and fat. At three years old, I remember getting a new easter outfit and feeling "fat" in it. I had cousins that were tiny little girls and I think that my dad always compared me to them. I grew up with being very self-conscience and feeling fat and ugly. I think I coped with it by putting my effort into being a good student. I worked hard to get good grades and to do my best. I also started going to church when I was seven and found other people that told me how wonderful I was. When I look back to high school, I realize that I wasn't any bigger than the other girls and I was pretty. I have worked hard to be confident and feel good about myself.
I was interested in the affects of war/terrorism on the development of children. We have been affected here in the United States and I can't imagine being a small child in Iraq or Afganistan. What I have read tells me that if children have a good support system they may be able to adapt and have little distress. Without that support system children face lots of stressors. Not only is there a war going on around them, but they may have lost a parent or both parents, they may not have anything to eat, and they may not have a place to stay. When they do have their families and a good support system it must be hard. They would have to think about bombs and gunfire going on around them. I also wonder what they think of the soldiers that they may come into contact with. Do they regard them as good guys or bad guys? Parents have a strong influence on their children all around the world, so that will be a factor in the lives of these children. Some children may show signs of PTSD
Jodi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. It is always good to know that you are not the only person going through something or have gone through something. I too come up in poverty and I can always remember feel self conscious of myself. I never felt pretty or good enough for anything but dance and school. I worked hard to prove teachers and family members wrong! I was determined to be somebody! I just really hope and pray we see the day that we can put an end to poverty.
Jodi,
ReplyDeleteI’m glad that you overcome what your father said and re-evaluated yourself . My classmates, including you, are all my role models because you guys are smart, hardworking and devoted early education professionals as well as great moms.
I wonder if there are many parents who act or say something bad for their children’s psychosocial development because parents do not usually know what they should/ shouldn’t do for children’s healthy development. I think there are some parents who think their children are their “ properties” or even though (maybe because) they love their children, want to be good parents and want their children to be someone people are proud of, they become too harsh on their children or say something that hurt their child’s confidence. I think what we are studying now should be taught maybe in high schools so that more children won’t need to experience unnecessary pain and develop healthily.
Aya
Jodi,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your courage for sharing your story. You are an amazing role model for anyone who has come from nothing and decided to give back to their community through serving in the education field. I hope you will continue to use your personal struggles to influence and encourage young children going through the same circumstances. You should be proud. :)
~Amanda