This week I was asked to consider the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning and consider the adjourning phase for several of the groups in whichI have been involved. 

It is hardest to leave groups with which I have worked well. Since I have been married, I have moved many times. The last time I moved, I really didn't want to move. I had become familiar with many of the staff, parents, and children at the YMCA where I worked. Many people were happy I was there. Two of my own children worked there part time and my three youngest children had grown up there as swim demonstration babies.  The other lifeguards were like more older siblings for my three youngest children,  For my adjournment from this team, there was a cake to celebrate and a YMCA gift hoodie as a remembrance.

I think that it is hardest to leave a group if you are not sure who from the group you will see again. In my master's clsses, I have seen several familiar names throughout my time, but I took many breaks, and that makes teh adjournment easier. Lately, I have been wondering who will be going on to teaching adults in the early childhood field with me. I think it is important that we do share contact information, so that we can support each other in the early childhood field.  I plan to leave contact info in week eight. Adjourning is important to prevent a feeling of disconnectedness from the world in general.  It highlights the importance of relationships we have formed along the way.