My Connections to Play

Play was simply being free when I was younger and today.  Rules when playing were defined with those I played with or my own rules when playing alone.  I really enjoyed dolls and Barbie’s once I got older.   I spent hours playing with my dream house and RV.  I spent a lot of time outdoors, riding bikes, being imaginative, and playing games.  I was allowed the freedom to create play by parents and they would also play with me.  They enrolled me in sports and swimming classes to keep me active.

Nikki's younger days of play............

This pretty much sums up why play is much different now then when I was a kiddo.....

Play has changed today with our new generation.  I moved to Arizona a couple of years ago.  When looking at buying houses I noticed that in every neighborhood I never saw any children playing outside.  Many developments have neighborhood parks that were always empty.  Even today you rarely see any children in our park.  I would have to admit is WAY to HOT for anyone to be outside.  Children are now consumed with electronics, cell phones, internet games and Facebook.  It has taken over what used to be called play.  Children sit and play games instead of moving their bodies.  "Something that should be spontaneous and free is now being rigidly planned. When does a kid ever get to sit in the yard with a stick anymore” stated Corey Dorsey (Levs, 2013).  These days we parents “organize” play with play dates versus allowing children to be spontaneous and creating play all on their own.  I will have to admit that my daughter too is a victim of being deprived of play.  I don’t allow her to just freely go outside as I once did as a kid.  I am a overprotective mom and if she is outside them I am as well watching.  I live in a great neighborhood but my lack of trust of other because crime happens everywhere……  

Levs, J. (2013).  What happened to “go outside and play?”.  Retrieved July 24, 2014, from,http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/living/let-children-play-outside/

Play was essential as a kid and it is equally essential in my life now.  Of course it's form is much different as an adult but I still attempt to find things that I do enjoy in my very busy and scheduled life. I feel it is more self-care now and entertainment......  Playing with my daughter and bunnies is now a part of play that I didn't once engage in.  "Play is art, books, movies, music, comedy, flirting and daydreaming, writes Dr. Brown, founder of the National Institute of Play” (Tartakovsky, 2012). 

Tartakovsky, M. (2012). The Importance of Play for Adults. Psych Central. Retrieved on July 26, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/11/15/the-importance-of-play-for-adults/

   

 

Relationship Reflection

This is my parents….  Everything I learned about trust, being kind, showing respect, how to help people I learned from them.   They taught me how to love and therefore I am able to have love for my two children.  One my birth daughter and the second a former client that has turned into a daughter of mine as well.  I realize that there are  boundaries when forming relationships with clients but our hearts at times break those boundaries.  Jazmin just a kid when I met her.  She now a beautiful young lady that I love as my own.  

Father's Day selfie 2014 with Dad and Mom

Loving a rainy day and remembering Seattle with Cailin.

Jazmin on her wedding day

My best friend Rachael….  We have been friends since we were 11 years old.  She moved away after 8^th grade to Australia.  We were blessed to have been able to attend the University of Arizona together.  We have lived most of our lives apart yet due to our friendship that includes trust, honesty, commitment, we have maintained best of friends.  

Rachel and I July 2013.  Hadn't seen each other in over 11 years.

I am not a huge fan of pets but this past Easter I got two bunnies for my daughter.  This is Cloud.  She passed away a few weeks ago.  She taught me how the love of a pet can comfort you on the worst of worst days.  Relationships with pets are just too easy.  You provide love and they provide love right back.  She also during her short time with us taught my daughter how to be responsible in the relationship with a pet and taught her about losing a relationship that she loved so dearly.  Hard lessons to learn.

Sweet baby girl Cloud....

I grew up in a very different environment that most of the families that I have served the past 18 years.  I began my career as a home-visitor.  It was very eye-opening and being that I worked with families in their homes I was offered the opportunity to experience live from their eyes.  When living in Seattle I worked for Early Head Start.  My families were from Eritria and Vietnam.  They shared their culture and with culture I learned that each family had their own culture within their own family.  After time I began to feel as if I was apart of their family.  The trust, respect and rapport was equally reciprocal.   This impacted the work that I continue to do because it was the foundation of my learning process in how to work with families.