Little stress busters

I've been kind of stressed at work the past couple of weeks. Yesterday was my observation, I've had tons of meetings, and report cards are about to go out (which takes me a long time, since I write narratives in each child's)

When I get stressed, I always try to listen to Chip Ingram (www.lote.org) on my way to work in the mornings. He always seems to just be talking to me. Then, by the time I get to school, usually I have remembered that I love children and love teaching. There's nothing else I'd rather do.

Yesterday, though, (my observation day), none of my little strategies worked. Kaela & Ben were moving slowly to get out the door, and it was time to go. Eric was looking for a shoe and grabbing cereal bars for everyone. I decided to bribe the kids to get to the door to wait. "First one to the door gets a piece of Halloween candy!"--which I'm sure is what any good mom would say, right? Kaela races down the steps and taunts Ben--"I won! I get Halloween candy!!"
To which Ben replies, (I kid you not!) "I gonna kick you butt, Ka-ya." AACK! I don't even know where he heard that, but now we can't leave--we have to wait for time out and an apology, plus the "Honor God with your kind words" lesson. Eric took over that one, and fortunately he was repentant quickly. This time. No more cartoons for him for awhile though--sheesh!

Then, I hurried to school to be observed first thing. Of course, on this day, one of my little friends decided to shut down. "I don't wanna do this, I don't feel like doing this, I'm putting my head down." My principal is noting everything. How will I handle this?
I call my little buddy to the hall to give him a "pep" talk.
Kind of like this: "Buddy, I know you don't want to work. But that's not your choice. I need you to be a leader and a role model, because those other guys in there are counting on you...blah blah blah"
To which HE replies, (and I kid you not!!) "Uh, Mrs. P? I just noticed that your shoes are a little bigger than mine." Not being a smart alleck. He just only heard me say, "Wah wah wah wah."

I remembered then that these are the little ones I'm called to work with. At home, and at school. Whether or not I handled everything perfectly for my observation at that one moment in time. "You know what, Buddy?" I told him, "You're right. My shoes are bigger. Now get back in there and get busy." And he did.
Will I be teaching the same lessons again tomorrow? Oh yeah. (Any tips from other parents about how to keep your 2 year old from threatening your 5 year old?)
But am I grateful to be given the opportunity? Every day. I even had a good laugh before I returned to finish my lesson. Nothing busts my stress quite like my kiddos.