Let's Not Forget About Ourselves, a note to teachers and parents

As parents and/or educators often times we get so busy caring for our students and children that we forget about ourselves. I challenge you to be mindful of your mental health. If things become overwhelming for you, take a moment to yourself. Breathe.

Take a few moments and wake up early to get your mind focused on the day. Stay up a bit once the children are put to bed. A scheduled 10-15 minutes of quiet time and/or mindfulness before bed or first thing in the morning can make a big difference. If anxiety and stress become overwhelming please note the resources below:


In case there is an emergency dial 911

Experiencing a crisis call Georgia Crisis Hotline 24 hours service 1-800-715-4225

CrisisChat.org
online emotional support 
http://www.crisischat.org

Disaster Distress Helpline 
1-800-985-5990
http://disasterdistress.samhsa.g

National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) 
1-800-715-4225 24 hours
 Crisis Text Line 741741 
Info Helpline 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) (press 1 for veterans, 2 for Spanish)
 

My grandmother would say, "An unwell you is no good to anybody". Be well!  

Feel free to post what helps you relax and take time for yourself .

Thank you for reading. 

Week Two of Social Distancing and Time Management; How's it Working for You?

I once heard someone say that it takes 21 days to make a habit, well I am not sure if that is true or not. However, we are on day 8 of our new normal. How is it going for you? I have had a parent say they allow their children to work through work packets and online learning as they please allowing them time to explore and the parent to effectively to get things done. Simultaneously, this parent, workers from home, cooks, cleans, and goes over school work with the kids. I had another parent say, they try to keep the day normal and very similar to their regular day schedule. They get up at the same time they did in the mornings when they were physically going to school. Then they do school work with a build-in lunch break and free time (recess) just like school. This parent stated that it was easier for the family and it allowed time for her to work from home while the kids were doing school work. Which ever way works best for you below are some tips that can assist you with working on time management.

 

·         Identify what is most important

·         Use an organizer or planner

o    Plan out your day the day before

·         Use time wisely

(use a timer and stick to it)

·         Create a To DO list

o    Block out times for various task

o    Be intentional

·         Prioritize

·         Identify and eliminate things that distract or keep you from reaching your goal

·         STOP procrastinating

·         Know that you do not have to be a “YES” person, you can kindly say no

·         Delegate when necessary

·         Check off completed task as you go

§  This will give you a sense of gratification and accomplishment

·    

What do you do to achieve your goals, be it goals at work, school, or at home? Please share in the comment section below! 

I want to leave you with this thought, It is currently Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 11:19 am. Time is something you can never get back. Never again will you see this date and time. You may see next Wednesday April 1, 2020 at 11:19 am, or even March 25, 2021 at 11:19 am. However, you'll never be able to see this exact date and time again. Use the time you have doing what you can, the best you can, with the ones you can.

Thank you for reading! 

 

While the World Gets Better We Must Do Our Part

This morning I listened to the message from the United States Surgeon General. He stated that if citizens did not do their part, what we are experiencing with COVID-19 will only get worse. I want to challenge you today to stay at home. Use what you and your family are doing at home and share it on social media using #stayathome (please note that using the hashtag will put your content where it can be accessed by the world). If you have to go to work, go! However, if you don't I'm encouraging you to think twice before leaving. In a meantime what are things you are doing with the people you live with?

Here are some things you can do with your family at home outside of completing school work while limiting time on social media and on a computer:

• watch movies 
• make movies (allow children space to create you can use your cellphone to record
• drawing (allowing fro free expression)
• play outside with those you live with only! 
• jump rope 
• tag 
• Simon Says
• basketball 
• football 
• hide n seek 
• ride bikes 
• go for a run/walk/jog

•  journal 
• read a book (you can do this out loud as a family)
• play board games 
• cook together 
• grill with your family you live with only
• allow children an opportunity to prepare a dish 

• gardening (this may become very useful in the next couple days)
• playing cards
• de-clutter your house or space (this is what I have been doing and its taking more time than I thought)

Share in the comments below what you and your family have been doing while you #stayathome 

 Here are a few tips from the the CDC (Center of Disease Control): 

• avoid groups larger than ten
• symptoms of COVID-19 surface between 2-14 days
• If you have to go out keep a distance of 6 feet between you and the people around you
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• sanitize and wash your hands frequently
• wash your hand front and back for 20 seconds and dry them 

References

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/surgeon-general-has-coronavirus-warning-week-it-s-going-get-n1166421?fbclid=IwAR2sy5fuEV0xsmD49s18VwsW_D8_R1uX8FHMlwC-uZLsFfoz0dPJ2NU-Npg

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html