Dynamic Systems

Another part of the first chapter in Berger that caught my attention was the dynamic-systems theory. On page 8, the book uses the example of how a birth turns a woman into a mother and a man into a father..." This change is used as an example of the dynamic-systems theory because it changes the person on so many levels; becoming a parent changes the person physically and emotionally, and affects the person's family and society. When I think about the changes that I went through, especially when having my daughter who is my first child, it affected literally everything. My health was affected due to having preeclampsia and giving birth to her 6 weeks early. My emotional state was greatly affected, as well. This was, not only the happiest moment of our lives, but probably one of the the most challenging two weeks to follow. My first baby was in the NICU, I went home without her, and this was not how I envisioned having a baby would go. In turn, these emotional struggles affected my family: my husband stepped up the plate going down to the NICU to feed our daughter every 3 hours (when I couldn't go), and coming back up to the room to be by my side the remainder of the time. He put on the "happy face" for both of us and reminded me that everything was going to be ok. Our immediate family members stepped in to give us both emotional support. Our friends and neighbors made us meals and left cards on our doorstep. Additionally, having a baby affects your sleep schedule, daily routine, and your social life. I now get up earlier than I would have ever imagined to get daily tasks done or exercise before my kids wake up. My family assists me in childcare so that I can work and go to school. My friends accept that, often times, hanging out with me means hanging out with two little kids too. All in all, having kids is a life changing experience that I wouldn't change for the world. And, just as our reading says, it is the perfect example of how a single change affects all aspects of a person and his or her environment.