It’s time to focus on ourselves!  We give 100% of ourselves every day, to the people around us:  the children, families, colleagues.  We need to make sure we continue to have that 100% in us.  If we start out the day at 50%, then that is all we can give which will lead us to getting down on ourselves because we didn’t give 100%.  So, we need to take a moment for ourselves.  It could start out as a small moment while children are napping, allowing yourself to breath in deeply, filling your lungs so your body straightens (maybe even hearing a pop, pop as your spine is relieved of stress), before exhaling slowly. If you have another moment, write down 3 things you did well today.  Reflect on those 3 moments and let it fill you with happiness.  If you have one more moment, reflect on why you chose to do the work you do…reflect on the bigger picture.

Each day take a moment for yourself.  Don’t give the excuses of “I don’t have time.”, “I need to be focused on the children.”, “They need me.”  I have used those same excuses!  For us to give 100% of ourselves, we NEED to take that moment to ensure we are at 100%.

If you already take moments for yourself regularly, take this lesson to the children and help them learn how to take moments for themselves.  You will be setting them up for success in emotional regulation as well as learning a skill that will guide them through future stressful situations.

Whether you call this reflection, mindfulness or self-care…it is needed in our lives to sustain the positive guidance we offer to others each day.

HERE is a booklet you can use with children to teach different breathing techniques to calm oneself.