Although I may be reluctant at first, I consider myself outgoing and affectionate, but I can sometimes be guarded due to my past experiences. I prefer my spouse to be insightful and practical rather than warm and affectionate, because I believe that a partner with a practical perspective can learn to be warm and affectionate. I like to have a warm and affectionate companion, but he must be balanced and also able to be responsible, reasonable and practical as needed, but my companion must know when to hold my hand or give me a hug if necessary. I believe that having a balanced relationship with clear lines of communication is the key to any successful relationship. In the past, I have noticed that relationships with friends, family and partners are more successful when clear lines of communication are involved. I believe that raising children is a very important part of life and a huge responsibility. Sometimes as parents we forget that we are not only raising our children, but we are cultivating our future. As a mother of four, raising children has its ups and downs, but I love every minute of it. Although I recently remarried after divorcing my ex-husband, I am still a single mother and raising children has been difficult at times, but given that I am the second oldest of nine children, it has made my experience much easier. I believe I am a good mother; but I have room for improvement. Every day I learn something new and I am ready to continue learning how to be a better mother. Since I am currently conceived with a child and my youngest is eight, I look forward to being a better mother through more previous experiences. After carefully analyzing my parents' marital relationship, I would categorize...... middle of paper ......en I broke my chin and my father came home after a twelve hour shift and he still had to take me to the emergency room for stitches so my mom wouldn't have to drag my siblings and me to the hospital. . When I was five years old, I was in kindergarten and that was the year I also contracted chickenpox. In kindergarten, I remember being my teachers' little helper. Mrs. Barry was one of my favorite teachers. I remember taking the citywide test for the first time. I had one of the highest grades in my elementary school and was honored at Temple University by Constance Clayton with an Academic Achievement Award. I remember we lived in a two-bedroom apartment until I was nine, and then we moved to our house in West Philly. My mother had a new baby until she was seven years old. Also, when we were kids, we didn't celebrate Halloween, which happens to be my mom's birthday, because we thought it was a holiday.