My Supports

        Working with children can be a difficult task because you cannot bounce ideas off of them or turn to them with a problem. You always have to be in control and have a plan otherwise you lose control and the children can turning your world into chaos. So for a child care educator it is important to have a set of resources, or a support system in place to help you when times are hard, you need help or even just someone to share the good and bad with. I have a great support system at work between friends, coworkers and members of the community that are their to give advice, offer their services or even just to listen to me work through a problem. 

        The first person I turn to for anything and probably everything is my best friend and Co-worker, Jordan. She is always their to listen and offer advice (even f I do not take it). I know that if I am struggling with something I can talk to her and it will help me work through the problem . Another great support system I have at work are the families of the children in my care. If I need something for my classroom or for a project I know they will help me in any way. I also know that their interests are the same as mine (the safety and well being of their child is top priority) so they listen to me when I talk and offer any help they can. 

        The second source of support I find at work is that of the Early Learning Coalition that helps families in my area to receive support and child care funding. The members of the coalition are always their to help from ideas on how to expand our Pre-K program to ways to involve families and communities in center activities. They also were a great source of support when I first became a Director and needed help with DCF rules and how to handle state paperwork. All of the case workers are their to see my center succeed and are willing to help in any way possible. 

        One area in which I tend to lack support is in my home life. I have two wonderful children and they love me very much but they do not know what it means to provide emotional or mental support or how to provide sound advice to a problem. I spend most of my home time trying to shield them from the problems of single parenting that it feels like I am emotionally drained sometimes. Having the support of a loved one or spouse at home is an important way to work through problems and sometimes I miss that and get frustrated easily sometimes when I shouldn't.