Journal #4- Constructive Use of Time

Choosing from the Constructive Use of Time Assets:
Which do you believe is the most important in the healthy development of Middle Childhood?
Do you have any experiences that you can remember from your own childhood that you can write about that reinforce why this is the most important asset?
What effect did this experience have on who you are today?
I believe that the "time at home" assest is the most important in the healthy development of middle childhood. I believe this because when i was young, and even in the present day, my parents have always give us different chores to complete around the house with our brothers and sisters. This presented me with time away from the classroom, friends, and the television- and really allowd me to focus on my relationship and bonds within the family. I also enjoy(ed) working with my hands and doing things constructively, it made me feel like i accomplished an important task. Chopping wood, stacking wood, raking leaves, filling in potholes, picking up sticks, building the barn and my sisters houses all consist of more than one person and my family is always willing to help one another. I have never been into the whole video game scene because thats not how i was brought up- we have never owned a type of video game ever and will continue to stay that way. It doesn't provide us with any benefits that'll take us far in life. I believe that this time spent with the family has had a major impact on the hardworking, motivated person that i am today. This is why i believe time at home is the most important asset.

Boundaries and Expectations

Choosing from the Boundaries and Expectations Assets:
-Which do you believe is the most important in the healthy development of middle childhood?
-State at least 3 reasons why you chose this asset.

I believe the most important asset in the healthy development of middle childhood is the family boundaries. I believe that the way children are brought up is what has the most affect of what path the child ends up taking in life. With family boundaries the child knows their limits before breaking them, and if they are broken- then they learn through their mistakes and learn not to do it again. If they don't have these boundaries then the child may rebel against the parents or other adults and may fail in other aspects of their lives. If the parents are positive role models then they have someone to look up to and that may help modify themselves into somebody wonderful and they'll want to be a model for their peers. On the flip side of that idea, if the parents are negative role models then they may travel down the hard road where they come in contact with alcohol, drugs, negative peer pressure, self-esteem problems, etc. If school and friends don't satisfy the child's needs for compassion, love, and care- then home is where their story's begin.