Feeling stressed?

Another mentor (thanks Amy!) forwarded me the following story over a year ago and I've held on to it knowing I just might need to reflect on it from time to time:

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. We have had one heck of a winter and the blahs can really take a toll on some of us.  Here at Child Care Answers we have seen an increase in calls requesting technical assistance for challenging behaviors...this can be very stressful for early childhood educators.  It's tax time, another contributor to our stress!  I saw there's more snow coming Wednesday...stress!  It's only Monday...stress!  The list goes on and on and on... 

Television actress and author Marilu Henner said, "Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy, and rewarding life."

American philosopher and psychologist William James wants us to change our thinking when we begin to feel stress, "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."

As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down.  Ask yourself if you are being realistic and consider alternative responses to the stress you are feeling.  Don't carry your burdens through the evening and into the night. Remember to put your glass down!

Going out to a New Year's Eve Party? Need Child Care? Tips to Remember

Caregiver Tips...

Parents often rely on a babysitter's services to help manage busy social schedules.

To ensure our children's safety, it's our responsibility to not only find a capable and responsible caregiver, but also provide them with the information needed to handle the job.

The following are several tips to consider:

Selecting a sitter

• Ask for sitter referrals from family, friends and neighbors.


• Interview several candidates and do a criminal background check, ask for and cross check references before making your decision.


• Make sure the sitter is at least 13 years old and understands what to do in an emergency. Confirm that they have had training in first aid and know infant and child CPR. Ask for references and follow-up on them.


• Before babysitting alone, ask the sitter to spend time with your children and learn their routines. Communicating pertinent information


• Provide a tour of your house. Point out safety devices such as baby gates, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, etc. Show how to work the door and window locks and how to turn on outside lights. Make sure the sitter knows planned fire escape routes (including any problem areas) and understands where emergency supplies are located including a first aid chart, first aid supplies, and a flashlight.


• Instruct the sitter to never open the door for strangers or identify him/herself (on the phone or in person) as a caregiver. Ask that all doors be locked and outside lights remain on.


• Write down and discuss pertinent information about you, your children, and the situation, including:
  
  o Your name, home address, and phone number.
  
  o Where you are, when you will return, and how to reach you.
  
  o Emergency telephone numbers including police, fire/rescue, poison control center, hospital, doctor, and contact person if you can't be reached. Post at every phone.
  
  o Complete details about each child (i.e., full name, age, height, weight, nap/bedtime, allergies and special instructions for medications including doses, instructions, and schedule)
  
  
• Identify the location of each phone and talk about your usage policy.


• Discuss house rules and routines, including bedtime practices, discipline philosophy, and acceptable and unacceptable TV programs and foods. Identify which rooms are off limits to children. Give instructions regarding play areas and use of protective gear for bikes, skateboards, inline skates, etc.


• Stress the importance of constant supervision.


• Upon your return, ask for details regarding the time you were away, including any problems or issues.
  
  Tips adapted from American Academy of Pediatrics and National SAFE Kids Campaign