Her comment took me back. It was very nice, and I appreciated it for sure! But I didn't know I agreed.
It had been a day that had felt less than perfect--several time outs were given; it felt every time I turned around, there was someone not following directions; one tiny cried for ten minutes because she didn't win a game of red light/green light; another refused to use soap when washing his hands after the bathroom, and the whole class was stuck standing in the hallway until he lathered up; nap time was filled with giggles, laughter and lots of "shhhh-ing;" someone got a nose bleed that dripped all over the floor; there were four ice packs given out, um-teen "warnings," one didn't get his hot lunch because we counted wrong and had to go back, and a whole wooden case of markers smashed to the ground.
All in a day's work!
So, how could this woman's takeaway from a day in my class be, "You're so patient and sweet?"
It felt like all I did was correct, redirect, and get interrupted. Nothing went exactly according to plan. I couldn't even get through a book without someone whining they couldn't see because another was propped up on his knees, although I must say 8 BILLION times a day, "Sit criss-cross applesauce!" I felt frustrated, worn out, and near my wit's end.
It reminded me of a meme I had recently seen circulating Facebook
It is so easy to feel like this after a day with your tinies. A long, wearing, trying day where nothing goes as planned. Rarely--if ever--do you get a pat on the back like the one I was fortunate enough to hear today.
But, it is an important reminder that everyone deserves to hear once in a while. "Your kids are so lucky to have you!" Not Mary Poppins, but you!
The most important thing you can do with tinies is to smile. No matter what. And--expect the unexpected. When a curve ball comes your way, sometimes, silence is the best answer. There are times when I want to scream, put everyone in time out, and sit down and cry. But, taking a moment of silence helps me to assess each situation as an isolated incident. They are not trying to throw a potty break right in the middle of your beautifully planned morning. Take a breath, smile, and then answer, "Sure. We can go back inside [where we just came from] so you can use the potty [even though I asked you if you needed to go right before we left.]" You may feel like Cruella Deville on the inside, but all your kids will see is the wonderful mommy you are picturing and striving to be.
The number of mishaps that happen in a day with tinies has n o t h i n g to do with your abilities as a parent, teacher, or leader.
Tinies are messy, silly, curious, impulsive--dare I say, strange at times. They make some bizarre choices, and there are inevitably days when your little one, for example, decides soap is unnecessary.
Stick to your guns. Smile. Be confident. "Okay, well, you can come out of the bathroom after you've washed your hands!"
And then, be silent. It is useless to argue. There is nothing more to say. So we wait. We smile. Even though inside we are dyingggg. "Just wash your hands, kid!"
But, like I said, the less you say, the better. Eventually, the hands get washed, the day moves on, and it finally comes to an end. Tomorrow, there will be new challenges; new ideas, new bizarre decisions, arguments, tears, injuries, and spills.
But at the end of the day, your kids are lucky to have you. If anyone can help them through these years, it is you! Keep it up! You are so patient and sweet! And when you're not--just be quiet and smile--and everyone will still think you are! :)
It had been a day that had felt less than perfect--several time outs were given; it felt every time I turned around, there was someone not following directions; one tiny cried for ten minutes because she didn't win a game of red light/green light; another refused to use soap when washing his hands after the bathroom, and the whole class was stuck standing in the hallway until he lathered up; nap time was filled with giggles, laughter and lots of "shhhh-ing;" someone got a nose bleed that dripped all over the floor; there were four ice packs given out, um-teen "warnings," one didn't get his hot lunch because we counted wrong and had to go back, and a whole wooden case of markers smashed to the ground.
All in a day's work!
So, how could this woman's takeaway from a day in my class be, "You're so patient and sweet?"
It felt like all I did was correct, redirect, and get interrupted. Nothing went exactly according to plan. I couldn't even get through a book without someone whining they couldn't see because another was propped up on his knees, although I must say 8 BILLION times a day, "Sit criss-cross applesauce!" I felt frustrated, worn out, and near my wit's end.
It reminded me of a meme I had recently seen circulating Facebook
It is so easy to feel like this after a day with your tinies. A long, wearing, trying day where nothing goes as planned. Rarely--if ever--do you get a pat on the back like the one I was fortunate enough to hear today.
But, it is an important reminder that everyone deserves to hear once in a while. "Your kids are so lucky to have you!" Not Mary Poppins, but you!
The most important thing you can do with tinies is to smile. No matter what. And--expect the unexpected. When a curve ball comes your way, sometimes, silence is the best answer. There are times when I want to scream, put everyone in time out, and sit down and cry. But, taking a moment of silence helps me to assess each situation as an isolated incident. They are not trying to throw a potty break right in the middle of your beautifully planned morning. Take a breath, smile, and then answer, "Sure. We can go back inside [where we just came from] so you can use the potty [even though I asked you if you needed to go right before we left.]" You may feel like Cruella Deville on the inside, but all your kids will see is the wonderful mommy you are picturing and striving to be.
The number of mishaps that happen in a day with tinies has n o t h i n g to do with your abilities as a parent, teacher, or leader.
Tinies are messy, silly, curious, impulsive--dare I say, strange at times. They make some bizarre choices, and there are inevitably days when your little one, for example, decides soap is unnecessary.
Stick to your guns. Smile. Be confident. "Okay, well, you can come out of the bathroom after you've washed your hands!"
And then, be silent. It is useless to argue. There is nothing more to say. So we wait. We smile. Even though inside we are dyingggg. "Just wash your hands, kid!"
But, like I said, the less you say, the better. Eventually, the hands get washed, the day moves on, and it finally comes to an end. Tomorrow, there will be new challenges; new ideas, new bizarre decisions, arguments, tears, injuries, and spills.
But at the end of the day, your kids are lucky to have you. If anyone can help them through these years, it is you! Keep it up! You are so patient and sweet! And when you're not--just be quiet and smile--and everyone will still think you are! :)
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