You Should Let Them Pee in the Toilet

After carpet time, a kindergartener stood up and lo, there was a wet spot where he was sitting.  It was time to lead the kids to lunch and he was scared of going to the office.  I was able to persuade him to go by promising I'll be there.  So, I took the whole class to the cafeteria and settle them in.  By that time, he was already eating so I told him I would come back for him.  I warned the secretary and managed to grab a bite of my lunch before going back to pick him up.  He was in tears, "What took you so long?", he said breaking my heart.  He held my hand all the way scared of the office where the "bad" kids were sent.  Once there, he was so flustered he couldn't change his clothing without help.  We had to prop the bathroom door open and each time I wander out of his sight, he would cry.  By the time he was finished, lunch was over and I never ate more than that bite.

Later, I was able to drop the class off at the computer lab and excuse myself.  I met up with the custodian who said, "You should have had them pee in the toilet, not carpet!"

Shawn Achor, Part 2: The Science of Happiness and Potential

This was an inspiring video.  I've been trying to bring this philosophy into my practice, espeically the meditation.  It is working...

The First Few Weeks of Stress

I'm Stressed. 

I'm stressed about taking time to apply for permanent jobs while subbing.  I'm stressed that I haven't taught all summer and what if my classroom management deteriorated? I'm nervous about entering the classroom to actually teach a full day class tomorrow. I'm stressed about stepping into the unknown again as a substitute.  I'm stressed about juggling my long term sub job with the start date of a year long contract job.  Never mind that I don't even have an interview for contract job yet but there is the possibility, don't you know. 

I have a long term sub job lined up late September through November so I actually SHOULD have less to stress.  So, I'm stressing about why I'm stressing so much.

Aaaaargh!  I didn't find a sub job last week so I spent the time brooding instead of enjoying the week.  Yoga, hot baths, and telling myself not to stress have very limited effects on mitigating the stress level.  I'm very curious now - what do other people do to combat stress and re-entry trepidations?  I would love to hear your comments.