You Need Self - Care!... And YOU Need Self - Care!... And YOOUUUUU Need Self - Care!.....

Self - Care... it's not just for adults anymore. (Yes, the scope of my message is expanding!)

Discussing healthy lifestyle habits & stress management with 5-11 year olds (as part of our recognition of Red Ribbon Week) has given me lots to ponder.  Some observations (in no particular order):

• 30-45 minutes was not long enough to cover what the kids wanted to talk about. 
• Every single class suggested sugar and candy as "the most unhealthy food," and water as the most healthy drink.  Kids love fruits and veggies.  (YAYYYYY)
• In every single class was at least one child that I knew I needed to monitor for signs of emotional unraveling because of the subject matter (and I worry about the ones I didn't know about).  In every single class I observed at least one child getting teary - eyed or practicing head-down-eyes-closed avoidance.  :(
• Our children are intelligent, perceptive, and sensitive.  They understand that the adults in their lives make mistakes, and they understand when the adults in their lives do things that negatively impact their health. They are worried for those adults, because they love them.  
• Our students as young as five are naming smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs as unhealthy choices.  To me, this level of awareness at such a young age is both good and horrifying at the same time.  

My lessons at all levels acknowleged age appropriate stressors as well as coping skills and the need for self-care activities.  I can only hope that some of the kids will take away an understanding that caring for yourself and making yourself a priority should be part of a healthy lifestyle routine.  Getting into good habits when they are kids, should help them be able to cope with more adult stressors as they move through their lives.

Older students were asked to think about how a certain amount of stress can be good for you (answer = stress can motivate us to prepare to do things well, or can inspire us to get things done.) An astute fourth grader explained it like this:  "It's kinda hard to explain, but it's like when you do something really hard or you get through some stress that's really bad, it can make you into a better person."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wow, girl!!! To have that kind of insight at nine years old....!!  In fact, it could be compared to the insight of a well respected First Lady:

So, that's what they learned.  What about me?  As often happens when I have group discussions with 500 kids, I came away with a full, yet heavy heart.  Our kids have beautiful souls.  They are so earnest and they work so hard at growing up.  Some of them are wise beyond their years, and some of them are blissfully innocent and naive.  Many of them, even the very young, are carrying burdens that we could only imagine.  These experiences are good for me, because I'm reminded that school is the safe place for so many of our students, and I'm reminded that often, the ones who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways. 

As ever, we will feel the burdens of our students.  Remember, be kind to them, but be kind to you, too.  You can't pour from an empty cup.  Take care of you.  xx