February News from Especially for Children

FEBRUARY 2022

Greetings!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EFC!

In February Especially for Children has been in business for 46 years!!

We are incredibly proud of the impact we have had on so many children and families over the years. We would like to thank you for entrusting us with your most valuable assets (our kids!), and for partnering with us on your parenting journey!

CENTER HAPPENINGS

FUN DAYS IN FEBRUARY

Wednesday, February 2-Ground Hog Day-bring in a Flashlight!

Friday, February 4-Costume Day!

Tuesday, February 8-Pick out own outfit! (Parents no helping)

Monday, February 14-Happy Valentine’s Day! Classroom parties!!

Tuesday, February 15-Wear Red!!

Wednesday, February 23-Dress as favorite Story book Character!!

Monday, February 28-Slipper Day!!

PARENTS-DESIGN-A-VALENTINE

Parents—it is homework time!! This year, we’d like all parents to design a Valentine for your child/ren to be hung up in the EFC classrooms during the month of February! This is your chance to be creative and have fun! We hope to see some creative Valentines!!

VALENTINE’S PARTY

Classrooms will be having Valentine parties on Monday, February 14!! If you are bringing in valentines from your child please see your child's teachers for details. The children will be making a special treat that day. We are asking parents NOT to bring in candy or other sweet treats.

PARENT RESOURCES

CHINESE NEW YEAR – FEBRUARY 1^st

The dates for Chinese New Year aren’t set in stone, and vary yearly based on the lunar cycle, but it always falls in January or February. The most important days of Chinese New Year are Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first day of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year’s Eve is very special and important day to gather with family and have a big feast. The celebration lasts for fifteen days with the Lantern Festival marking the end of the celebration.

2022 is the year of the Tiger. In Chinese culture, the Tiger is a symbol of strength and braveness, - a valued animal for being independent and having a strong sense of justice.

COVID CREDIT NOTE

We hope the new test-to-stay protocol is working well for families who are dealing with Covid exposures. Please note that accounts must be in good standing in order to receive any Covid credits for quarantine or isolation. Thank you!

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

LETTING IT OUT

By Angie Williams

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed an increase in the number of news articles devoted to the challenges parents—and especially parents of young children—are continuing to face as the pandemic drags on. The articles profile parents who are exhausted and at their breaking points.

We at EFC are doing what we can to make this time more manageable for families, but we know that the uncertainties and disruptions of the past two years have taken their toll on the families in our EFC community.

While we can all acknowledge the stress is there, figuring out what to do with it is not easy. Earlier this month a group of moms in Boston took to a football field and spent 20 minutes screaming into the cold night air. They needed to let out the stress and frustration with their whole bodies. As the organizer of the event described: “The scream resonated for people because it normalized their anger,” she said. “It’s been very powerful and quite healing.”

Primal Scream Gathering in Boston, New York Times

I love the notion that these women allowed themselves to “lose control” in this way for just a bit given that many of us have spent the last two years trying to maintain a sense of control and normalcy for our families in the midst of such turbulent times.

It also makes sense that finding a vocal and/or physical outlet can make a big difference in how we feel. No matter how many times we turn over in our minds some of the thoughts and worries we have about this pandemic, we are not able to influence everything that comes next. Transferring those ruminations to a simple scream might just be the meltdown we parents need to keep moving forward.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we called upon the wisdom of Mr. Rogers to help us navigate a time of uncertainty. At this point we all may benefit from a more basic method of stress release. Our hope is that the coming weeks provide a great deal of relief with the improvement of public health conditions. Until then, we hope you can find a moment to let it out if you need to.