Wk 4 Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

     The stressor I chose for myself as a child is Violence.  As a child, I experienced violence in my home. My biological father was an alcholic and drug user. When my father was drinking or using drugs, which was very often he could and would be very violent, I would either hide in a closet or sneak out the back door and run across the street to my grandparents or aunts house. My father would physically, verbally and emotionally abuse my mother at any time of the day or night. My father would destroy our home, wake us up for no apparent reason and I was terrified to be with him from the time I was about 7 years old. The night that my mom said she had enough was the night that he drug her out of their bed, wanting her to cook him something to eat at about four in the morning and she fault back and he broke both of her jaws with the end of a shotgun and she had to be wired shut for about 12 weeks and finally pressed charges and had him arrested and she divorced him, but the scars were already there!
     I the way I survived was by having my grandparents and aunt living across the street from us, so when I wanted to get out I could run to either house and be safe no matter what, because my father knew not to mess with my grandparents. Both houses were available to me, no matter what time is was or what day of the week. My grandparents always had opened arms and their love was unconditional, that was my safety blanket.
     The ramifications that I had as I began to date was I always had a guard up and I didn't trust any male figure except my Paw-Paw and Uncle Craig, until I met my now husband. Once I realized that my now husband loved and respected me no matter what and I then learned how to be loved and respected. I was so afraid that I would go through what my mom went through and I didn't want to do that, at all. My husband is a hard working man, who drinks occasionally but after almost 22 years of being together, he has never yelled, disrespected me or our kids.
     I found an article about "A mother and her six month old child that is facing food and health insecurities inder bonded labor." This is happening in India, the Asian Human Rights Commission has recevied information that a mother and her six month child are currently living in the Balangir district of Orissa regularly migrated to Bangalore for the last two years to earn their daily food by working in a brick kiln. They did not have any resources to survive in the village. The mother lost her first daughter in 2008 due to the lack of medical care. She is currently faces a similar situation that may casue serious illness to her son and herself as the brick kiln owner allegedly does not provide adequate food and health care. (http://www.foodjustice.net/)
   The children will not develop properly if he is not given the proper nutrition. The child will not be physical condition to do the things that typical children do as he grows into a young child. Every child deserves to be provided the proper food, medical care and a chance to live a normal and happy live, however we all know that is not always possible. As an ealry childhood professional, there may be a child or family in our classroom or care that might going through the same issues that we read about on an everyday basis. We have to be aware of our surroundings and if we suspect that there may be special needs or special concerns, then these families or children should be referred to the proper resources.

Child Development and Public Health

I chose Mental Health of mothers, fathers and families in general. The topic is meaningful to me, because as an early childhood professional I never really know what type of issues that a child and his or her family may be dealing with. It is very important to me that I am made aware of changes or issues that a child may be going through, so that if I observe different behavior, I can hopefully help the child and family. I also know of someone very close to me that was diagnosed with depression at the age of 15 and it was very hard for the family, because this was a first for the family. No other family member had ever had problems or issues. However, without alot of communication and help from medical professionals, this person is on track and is doing well.

I found information at http://www.menshealthaustralia.net/. A study was conducted of nearly 87,000 families in Britain and it was found that 21% of fathers and 39% of mothers experienced a period of depression by the time their child was 12 years old. Depression is most common amomg parents of babies with 13% of mothers and 3% of fathers becoming depressed by the time their child reached its first birthday. Overall suicide rates 2005 were 16.4 per 100,000 males,4.3 per 100,000 females 1657 males committed suicide in 2005. Divorced men are three times likely to committ suicide then any other. Suicide rates are as follows highest for ages 30-34 and then ages 40-49. Men ages 30-34 had the highest individual suicide rate in 2005 at 27.5 suicide per 100,000 people. Married have the lowest suicide rate. Divorced and never married men have higher rates than married men.

I have learned that it is very important to be aware of the signs of depression and or suicide. It is very important to communicate with parents and care givers. It was also be very helpful for parents with teenagers to have resources available, just in case they have a teen in trouble or know of a teen in trouble.

EDUC 6160 WK1 Childbirth: In your life and around the world

I am writing about the birth of my first son, he will be 20 years old on Nov.10th. I didn't find about I was pregnant with him until I was about 14 1/2 weeks pregnant. I only gained 27 lbs, and I remained between the sizes 12-14 throughout the pregnancy. I was due on the 2nd of Nov., however on Friday the 9th of Nov. I was admitted into the hospital at 6:00a.m. and my labor was induced. I was in labor from 10:00 a.m. and Antonio was not delivered until 11:29 p.m. on Sat. Nov. 10th. Antonio weighed 9lbs and 14.3 ozs. and was 23 1/2 inches long.Now he is 6'9 and weighs about 190lbs or so, he is in Missouri on a basketball scholarship. I was giving an epidural, but because of my labor being so long, the epidural had woren off, so I had a natural birth. I remember asking, "Why is it taking so long and Can I push, please?" I also remember that one of my nurses had to stand on the side of the hospital bed and push down on my stomach to get Antonio to drop into position. Because it was an experience of a lifetime and no one could believe because of his weight at birth, how little I was and that I had only gained 27 lbs. My thoughts about birth and the impact on child development is that it is very important to find out as soon as possible if a woman is pregnat or not, because there could be so many complications and finding out early may help to prevent them. I also wanted to share this birth, because of his weight and length, we were supplied diapers and formula for the first year of his life, due to him breaking a record at the hospital.
I chose the country of Australia. Many births are done independently or with provatre mid-wives. There have been some publicly funded homebirth available for a small number of women for  many years. There is a policy that is being finalized to take mid-wives from public hospitals and place them in home births. The two reasons homebirth are chosen is: to avoid what they previously experienced or what might happen with hospital birth and/or to have their baby with care from jsut one or two midwives, who they trust and know. Other reasons for homebirths maybe: comfortable with home setting, less risk of infection for baby and mom, less risk of unnecessary episiotomy. If hospital transfer is needed, very low caesarean, and visits with midwives are more personal. There are no inductions or epidurals are available at home, other ways that are okay with moms maybe: use of water, showers, massages, aromatherapy and walking. Midwives carry oxygen, suction or bleeding prevention medicine. A midwive may stay up to four hours after the birth, will come back within 12 to 24 hours, will visit daily until mom is ready for less visits and will be released after moms six week postnatal visit. I learned that moms in Australia have a choice of rather having the baby at home or hospital, just like moms did many years ago. There are alot of differences, where with most deliveries moms are offered something for pain, where with these home births there are no inductions or epidurals. I think now, I would like to try a homebirth and that is just because of there being so many infections and diseases out in the world and I feel that a homebirth, would be more personal and would be a time for parents to enjoy that special moment. The mom would probably have more one on one time with her infant after a homebirth, if there were no complications.