Welcome to our end of the year edition of Muskoka Early Years Professional Development Newsletter dedicated to two topics: HOLIDAYS and ECONOMISING. 

When initially, words like “economising” and “holidays” seem to clash and tend to evoke feelings of discomfort; in actuality, when combined these two concepts can enhance the true spirit of holidays while subsequently preventing us from going into debt. Debt that, unfortunately, plagues an increasing number of Canadians. When it comes to debt, you will not find the proverbial proof in the (Christmas) pudding, but in numbers: 

Canadian households now owe $1.83 for every dollar of disposable income they have 

Overburdened with expectations, constant comparisons (hello, social media) and the idea that happiness can be bought, we can easily lose sight of the true spirit of holidays; of hope, love, connection, understanding, and time-giving. 

My wish for you is to embrace the idea that you do not have to overspent to feel valued, you do not have to overextend yourself to feel wanted, and you do not have to go into debt to feel loved and to show love. Understanding that makes implementing economising into one’s life easier, can help us build some savings, and generally live a life of less (stuff) which produces a life of more (experiences, genuine relationships, time, freedom, etc.). 

Those of you who are interested in making 2023 a year of less, may want to consider joining our Muskoka Early Years Book Club in the spring of 2023 as we will be exploring The Year of Less written by a Canadian author Cait Flanders.  

As always, below you will find resources that you will, hopefully, find interesting, encouraging, and helpful. If you have any resources on the topic of economising, that you would like to share with our Early Years Community, please send them my way. 

On a personal note, this year on my Christmas tree are two new ornaments that are particularly dear to my heart. One of them, in a shape of a snowflake, was given to me by my lovely co-worker, Jenn Middleton. Jenn made the ornament herself which makes this ornament extra special. Along with an ornament came a thoughtful note on why Jenn chose to give it to me; I will always cherish her gift. Thank you, Jenn! <3

The other ornament, windswept pine, was given to me by two wonderful young Muskoka girls who themselves epitomize the strength, beauty, and resilience of windswept pines. I will always think of them when putting their ornament on my Christmas tree for, what I hope to be, many years to come. 

Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! 

What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do?

My current job is working out at Irwin Memorial after school program as the After School Facilitator. I work with children ages four to eleven. I enjoy the after school age group as it offers a community with many different stages of the children's lives. Mentorship, respect, responsibility and guidance for the younger children from the older children. Different stages of all developments. Being able to create a safe learning environment and build community amongst them all. They bring me joy. It gives me a really good life balance for my family, working with children of all ages in the after school program and the volunteer work for my community.

Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.

I had a child with physical behaviours. They threw chairs, caused physical harm to others, they were unsettled, unfocused, and angry. These behaviours were seen at home as well and they were having restless nights sleeping. The family was beside themselves, they didn't know what to do. So we had a meeting and decided to do lots of observation on the child at home and at school. At school I noticed that these things would happen after snack or lunch. We had discussed the behaviors at home after food as well and we put the behaviors from school with food together. They were the same behaviors that kept coming up. The family decided to have them tested and they were gluten intolerant. 

From communicating with the family we changed their diet and after about a month working together they were a totally different child. Nights and days were calm. Their aggression decreased, physically the child was able to self regulate and home and school had balance.