Reflecting on Communication in the Early Childhood Field

            These blog assignments allow us colleagues to share our personal stories and experiences to give others a different perspective on each topic we learn about. We have all come a long way, and I am sure many of us can finally see that light at the end of the tunnel. Only four more classes before we have out Masters in Early Childhood Studies! I am so thankful for everyone that has contributed to my learning abilities and successes here at Walden. Without the support and additional knowledge from all of you, I would not be where I am today!

            If anyone is taking the Administration route, I am sure I will see your name shortly! Also, I have recently joined the Walden University Early Childhood Education – WUECO on Facebook which honestly has been a lifesaver. It allows alumni and new students to all connect on one page, offer advice, discuss the hardships of online learning and working full time, and even provide job opportunities! I can also be contacted by email; n.magri89@gmail.com

I wish all of you nothing but the best on the rest of your journey and look forward to working with some of you in the future. Here’s to the last leg of our education! Good Luck everyone!

Adjourning

            When I first got my foot in the door for early childhood education, I got a lead teacher job for the toddler classroom. The facility had 8 different classes and had about 12 different ladies working in the building. At first, I felt on the outs, I was the new girl, and many of these teachers were already together for 4-5 years. As we had professional development classes and monthly meetings, I began to open up some more and indeed made some fantastic friendships. I was there for about 4 years before I moved on to become a nanny due to my director having a hard time with me going back to school. I respected my director and had no problems with going to her to discuss any ideas or issues I was having in my classroom. When I told her I was going to go back to school to get a degree in Early Childhood, she said to me that it was unnecessary and a waste of money. What I realized was that she would have to increase my pay due to my higher education and she was not prepared to do so. I had to do what was best for me even though leaving my colleagues killed me.

            We had an incredible bond, we were always there to help one another, and our students gained the education they deserved because of our collaboration. As my last day approached, we had a goodbye party, and I cried as if I was losing a family member, I didn’t realize how all these girls became my work family and how much we all cared about one another. Without the support of these ladies, I probably would not have gone back to school, and I would not have made lifelong friends. Even though many of us have gone our own separate ways, we are still all in the early childhood field, and we all help one another when needed.

            As my colleagues and I are extremely close to finishing our Master’s Degree I know that it will be a great day for all of us. We all had similar goals and as a collective group, we have all helped one another succeed in this program. I am hoping to stay in contact with most and I know Walden’s Facebook group is a great way to do so. As we go our separate ways we all can help one another in the classroom. We know how successful this group was and of course it will be a bittersweet day, but I know that we will continue to support one another in life and as an early childhood professional.

Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

          My husband and I have recently become homeowners, and it has been a real blessing. My brother has recently re-enlisted with the United States Navy and got orders for recruitment in Staten Island. We currently live on Long Island and since his apartment was not ready to be moved into we decided he could live with us for a few weeks before moving to Brooklyn. With three adults and a large dog, it is pretty tight but we have managed, and my husband has been a saint about the situation. I currently work 12-13 hour days and am out of the house a majority of my day while my husband is a schoolteacher who works 2 miles from home. My husband tends to call me every day around the same time saying how my brother hasn’t left the house, there is a pile of laundry, there are dirty dishes in the sink, and I usually become annoyed with these conversations. Instead of coming to me with problems, how about coming to me with solutions. Since it is my little brother, I tend to enable his bad behavior and just clean up after him, and it is taking a toll on my relationship with my husband.

            As soon as I walk in the door, I already have an attitude because I am prepared to be doing laundry and cleaning for the next two hours and I snap at my husband. I have a sense of entitlement since I feel I work harder and longer hours and he should pick up some of the slack. These arguments are causing us to go to bed angry and have us continue being upset with one another. I know that this situation isn’t forever, but it seems that way.

            What can help us resolve the conflict is to come up with some type of agreement and to also have a conversation with my brother. For someone who is at home ninety percent of the day should be able to clean up after himself. The three of us must sit down and come up with some solution for us to work together. I also need to keep my outbursts to a minimum. I tend to jump down my husband’s throat and say things I truly do not mean and once I say it I can no longer take it back. I must think before I speak and ensure my reactions are positive and not hurting someone else’s feelings or their character.