Week 4 Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

I believe that it is very important that a child experience positive things throughout their life.  The things that a child experiences throughout his childhood plays a huge part on who they will become as an adult.  If parents provide a happy and nurturing environment for their child it is more likely that the child will be successful in his/her life.  They are more likely to express positive emotions as they meet new people. They know how to communicate effectively in their relationships.  I chose to write my own childhood experience.  I was raised in a low socioeconomic home, where my mom worked and paid the bills by herself.  My father never kept a job and he was a severe alcoholic.  The home that we lived in had horrible plumbing problems.  I remember being embarrassed for company to come over and I hoped every time that they would never ask to use the restroom.  My father got drunk on a regular basis and cause confusion within the home.  He cursed the children, my mom, and my friends.  I learned to hate him and I witnessed my parents arguing all the time and I believed that all marriages and relationships were that way.  I often visited other people and their homes were neat and clean and I wished I lived in a home like that.  As an adolescent I feared getting in a relationship or getting close to anyone.  I had a problem opening up to and getting close to people.  As I became older I fear becoming involved in a relationship with a guy because all I knew was negative communication.  I got married at 22 years old and it didn't last two year because I didn't know how to demonstrate love and compassion because I never saw it growing up in my home.  It is very important for parents to demonstrate love in the home.  If a child witness negative things throughout their childhood it can affect them in the long run.  Luckily I was a strong enough to become a better person.  However, not every child is fortunate enough to break the mold.