Lala's Family Day Care

"You're a big girl", "Boys don't cry", "There's no reason for it", "Stop making a drama", "Oh come on, it's okay"... and the list goes on... 😔

In an attempt to "stop the crying" of their children, parents find themselves repeating such phrases, which is super understandable.
"Why cry over something so silly?" 😳

The problem is that, in the long run, these children become adults who may be "ashamed of their feelings."

They learn that crying isn't necessary, that only the weak ones struggle, that big boys simply "get up e go play", and that it's not important to talk about feelings and emotions.

Now ask yourself, how many times have you needed to cry to get rid of a pain or strong emotion? Without that actually solving any problem. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Getting the pain out is important, it makes us stronger.

Talking about feelings is beautiful, exposing our weaknesses is an act of courage. 🌻

And this is what needs to be taught to our children, and demonstrated, with a lot of patience and love, every day.

The world doesn't need strong people (who suffer inside), we need real people. And real people, my friends, cry... 🤍

Toddlers often experience the birth of a sibling as a loss. It alters their position in the family, and they fear, that in their parent’s hearts, too. 💔

This is a new moment for the whole family, and it is very important that, as far as possible, this toddler's feelings are acknowledged, and parents understand that this is a difficult process for such a young child.

Always remember the most important detail: your toddler doesn't know how to deal with feelings yet, and will possibly show this "dissatisfaction" in the most "unusual" ways. 😳

If possible, let your toddler help with the new baby, prioritise quality time with him/her, and give them special jobs to do.
Setting up a "toddler area" and let him/her do their own thing can also be beneficial.

This is a phase of changes, adjustments, adaptations, and much, much, much love and understanding. 🤍

🤍

There are things in life that fate takes care of...
Graduated in Advertising in Brazil, I ended up in Australia, and found myself starting a new profession.
Profession that makes me feel real love ❤️
Love for the children, love for the difference I make, love for the families (who became my family here), love for other Educators who perform their work brilliantly - and inspire me so much.
Being an Educator is more than "Educating".
Being an Educator is learning to love, be patient, caring, responsible, (and often p*e with the door open haha)
Being an Educator is knowing that every day, little human beings depend on us, and we depend on them.
For, just as I teach, I also learn - and wow! how much I learn!
It's been 6 years since I found myself in this beautiful profession, and every day I realise that there is still so much more to discover. 👩🏼‍🏫✨

Happy Early Childhood Educators Day! 🌻

Easy? Nobody said it would be....
Accepting the worst side (even from those we love the most) is hard work.
But it's through acceptance and acknowledgement that our little human beings feel safe, loved, and healed. 🤍✨

At that moment, all they need is love and understanding. 🌜💛

It is not an easy task to deal with and understand the strong emotions of young children - especially when there is "no apparent reason".

😳 And when Mum has a bad day?

What to do to be able to deal with your own feelings and still find the patience to pay attention, repeat the same thing a hundred times, and not show frustration when the child seems to do everything "to make you mad?"

The truth is that this answer (in practice) probably doesn't exist. 😕

As long as we are all human beings, we will make mistakes, children will scream, and parents will eventually lose their temper.
And it is okay... 🤍

The big lesson is to understand that when you think you've had a bad day, your child may also be holding back emotions and feelings that need to be let out.
And while you might find ways to distract yourself or call a friend to talk, your child is not coping with all these feelings and don't know what to do with them.
They won't sit down to talk, nor will they listen to a relaxing music or call someone.

Right now, you are the only certainty they have. You are the hug that turns the crazy world into a safe place to be. 🌷

What do you do when your little ones are having one of those unforgettable meltdowns? 🙈

💛

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”
This made me sad.

I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told,
“No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”
This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.”
This made me cry.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…”
I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks anymore. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it. I was told “No, don’t do that! You have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “No, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up. I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.”
I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me.

“What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? Pick up your toys, now!”

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me.

I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little. Let me do it.”
This made me feel small.

I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I do not feel safe or in control.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug. ❤️

💛 When you trust your child, you help them succeed.
Children should be trusted every day with small things, such as, showing when they are ready to sit down without us pushing it, walking on their own pace, eating by themselves, starting toilet training, etc.

If you focus on observing your child with empathy, you will see they are constantly showing us when they are actually ready for a next step or achievement.

Avoid pushing them or putting too much expectation on your little ones. Instead, let them navigate their learning process on their own pace. It's so much more fun anyway ✨✨

😲 "It's mineeeeeeee!" - How many times a day do you hear this?

😇 Our adorable little ones seem to never understand that "sharing is caring" huh?

Oh, dear!

I can't stress this enough. But young children simply don't get this concept yet. 🤷🏼‍♀️ (even if you keep repeating the same things over and over).

So, how about trying a few different strategies? 🙃

The next time you feel overwhelmed and tired of your child's tantrums and cries, reflect on this phrase. 👆🏼 This could be going on inside them.

Any "bad behaviour" is a cry for help.
If not from the people they love the most, from who then? 🌻