Blog #4

BLOG #4
Since I talked a little about the importance of finding and using your support systems last week, I thought it would be a good week to go over them in a little more detail this week. Support systems are generally defined as people who you might look to for advice or help to make important decisions in your life. These people may help you through the times you have in completing these decisions. For example, a baby sitter would be your support to take care of your children while you are at work.
My baby sitter happens to be my mother. She watches my son while I am at the college volunteering and while I am in class. She does this to help me make something of my life. She helps out as much as she can, by taking him over night when she knows I have a big paper or group project due the next day, so I can make my finishing touches to it. She sometimes just takes him when she knows I have a lot to do with classes, bills and grocery shopping. If for some reason Dominic’s father could not take he or my mother could not take him, I have back up. These people are also considered to be my support system, because they believe in what I am doing, and how I am trying to provide for my child.
Things get hard; stress is more likely then not to occur in a full time student’s life, especially if they have children and other lives happening. It is really important to have a support system because, on bad days, they remind you of why you made the choices you made. They remind you of the good things that will come of you graduating from college, and then they will remind you of all the bad things that could happen if you were to not finish school.
Sometimes you might not like to hear what they have to say, because the truth is that, “the truth hurts!” Always keep in mind that they love you and they are only their to help you. As much as it is hard for you to do what you are doing, think about all the time you are doing what you are doing. Now think about the person who is their supporting you and multiply your time by two. Because they are there supporting you when you are gone and then when you are there all the time. They are the ones taking care of your kids if you have any when you are gone to school for the day.
I thank my mother every day for being the wonderful person that she is. I thank Ryan (Dominic’s father) every day for being the great, kind, sensitive being that he is. I thank Mary, my back up everyday for being their when all else fails. Telling me I can do it, and hearing it over and over again, is just as important as saying thank you to those who are there helping you. Some times I will buy my mother a card and flowers just to say thank you for being you and being there. I have even bought Ryan flowers for being so great to me, and dealing with all the stuff I put him through. Because, really when you think about it, no one really knows who you are and what it’s all about unless they live, eat, and sleep in the same house as you every night. If it was not for all my support systems, I honestly could say that I really do not think I would have made it as far as I have. So when you’re thinking you are having a bad day, and you need to vent to someone. Pick up that phone and call, or go there. Where ever you end up, they are going to be considered a support for you, because they are there for you. One think that you should remember is that everyone needs a little reassurance, so don’t forget to thank your support systems. You can never really show anyone enough appreciation. So one last thing, thank you mom, I love you! Thank you Ryan, I dont know where I would be with out you, and thank you Mary for all the last minute phone calls, you are all awesome, and I love you.