There was a time when all I would hear about my family was, "You all are the perfect kids and your parents did great." It was a lot of pressure on us. Our parents did do great, they did they best the could with what they had. Being immigrants to a country that they had no knowledge of, except that, America was where they wanted to raise their kids and offered better education. My parents are my hero's and I continue to look up to them everyday. Everyday I'm learning and loving every day.
Signature assignment #1 - Teenage Pregnancy
Signature assignment #2 - Divorce & Love
How do the assignments illustrate the growth/challenge/progression you have had in this class?
Having the opportunity to have a deep conversation with Leilani helped me to see the other side of things. I experienced her teenage pregnancy from a sisters perspective but because of how I was feeling, I never got to understand her feelings. In retrospect, this teenage pregnancy was about her not me, I was being selfish and inconsiderate.
Leilani was going through a lot of emotions. She was young, pregnant, no job, fighting off judgments from everyone around her, saddened that she disappointed her parents. Her body was changing and she was dealing with a lot. She didn't need a sister to remind her about the choice she made. She needed someone to help her after the fact.
I learned to take a step back and be more understanding. There are so many stereotypes and assumptions in this world about a single situation. We should be in a mode of helping, not adding to a persons frustrations or hard times.
Leilani was going through a lot of emotions. She was young, pregnant, no job, fighting off judgments from everyone around her, saddened that she disappointed her parents. Her body was changing and she was dealing with a lot. She didn't need a sister to remind her about the choice she made. She needed someone to help her after the fact.
I learned to take a step back and be more understanding. There are so many stereotypes and assumptions in this world about a single situation. We should be in a mode of helping, not adding to a persons frustrations or hard times.
What process did you go through to complete the assignment?
I have a relationship with my sisters where we just have a silent agreement. We don't really talk deep about feelings or what's bothering us. We just say help us and without having to explain our lives, we help each other out.
This was different. I had to dive deep with my little sister. We had to re-visit some hard places in our memories that made us uncomfortable, especially when it came to me facing the truth about what I did that hurt Leilani. As family members, you don't want to hurt your family, and when you hear that you hurt them, it hurts you. I felt guilty. Having this hard conversation was tough, but a good thing for us. I feel that we are closer and have a better bond and understanding of each other now.
This was different. I had to dive deep with my little sister. We had to re-visit some hard places in our memories that made us uncomfortable, especially when it came to me facing the truth about what I did that hurt Leilani. As family members, you don't want to hurt your family, and when you hear that you hurt them, it hurts you. I felt guilty. Having this hard conversation was tough, but a good thing for us. I feel that we are closer and have a better bond and understanding of each other now.
What do your signature assignments demonstrate about your learning?
I came into this class wanting to learn more about family and relationships. What we face, what targets a family, what hardships a family goes through and how to build a strong family.
I was recently married and with always hearing about another couple filing for divorce, witnessing my sister and brother go through divorce, I never wanted to experience that pain. I also didn't want to be a niusance but more helpful if I ever had to experience these types of situation again.
This course and book has been very helpful in paint a picture of what some families go through. By understanding what we face, we can be more helpful rather than causing more pain.
I was recently married and with always hearing about another couple filing for divorce, witnessing my sister and brother go through divorce, I never wanted to experience that pain. I also didn't want to be a niusance but more helpful if I ever had to experience these types of situation again.
This course and book has been very helpful in paint a picture of what some families go through. By understanding what we face, we can be more helpful rather than causing more pain.