The Inspired EC Blog — relationships

A small sticky hand slides into mine. I know that if his mama were here, it would slide into hers.  Laughter erupts as I tickle her belly. I know that if her daddy were here, she'd be laughing up at him.  They trust us. Each and every day, parents, grandparents, foster carers and guardians step into this place we create. They step into this place knowing that when they walk back out the door, they leave a part of them with us. They say goodbye, their noses pressed to the gate, fighting back tears as their little one wails, or...

  I was sitting at the traffic lights when he caught my eye. He stood there, with his dog, waiting to cross the road. Headphones in ears, leash in hand, he began to move. It started out a gentle nod of the head, presumably in response to the beat of the music. And then it evolved into a more active kind of dance. I could tell he was getting into the music, and it filled me with a complete sense of what could only be described as joy. I felt a smile spread across my face. And then I noticed...

  {I originally wrote this post in 2019, and have updated, although the story remains the same}   My middle child had just started school. For the first time ever my youngest was now at home with just me (in addition to a day with Nan and a day at preschool) In the weeks and months leading up to it, I had been simultaneously looking forward to and dreading it. You see, my youngest was a firecracker. She is (and still is) hilariously funny, incredibly inquisitive and extremely loving. She also hasd those traits that are often seen as negatives...

  What if we told you that the difference between you being a standard educator and an amazing educator rested with someone else? Sure - you are ultimately responsible for the type of educator that you are and that you become. You make choices each and every day about the way that you interact with children, and the way that you support their play. But there is no doubt that these choices are shaped by others - in good ways, and sometimes in not so good ways.    Yesterday, Tash called to share with me an amazing conversation she'd had...