Welcome to this year’s A to Z Challenge! This year I’m talking Child Care. I’ll be blogging topics related to my many years in the family home daycare profession. I hope you can find a tidbit of information that is useful in caring for children whether you’re a parent, grand or another important person in a child’s life. And to end each post, I’ll share a bit of my creative side/relaxation time. Taking time for yourself is good for your health–both yours and your family’s 😉

Who knew the Quantity of diapers I’d change, meals I’d buy food for, amount of paper towels and toilet paper I’d need. In short, I should have bought stock in tissues alone. I’d be able to retire right now. And oh, those runny noses! To this day, my family will yell across the house “Mom! So-and-so needs a tissue!” God love ’em.

And the Quarrels. Oh. My. Goodness. I should have been a judge. One trick I’ve used for a very long time helps settle toy quarrels. All you need is a timer. With some practice, setting a timer over toys will help immensely. The children will learn to start and stop it without your help. It’s a great way to teach time, self-control and patience. You cannot, I repeat, cannot control quarrels all the time. But you can find ways that will work for your situation. Just be open to trying various techniques.

Third Q-word–Quiet. There’s the quiet of naptime. Seeing each child, including the infant you’re holding, in blissful slumber. Leaves me with hope for the future and thankful for the blessing of children in my life. This quiet is such a near perfect kind that it would be hard to not believe in a higher power. I truly hope you do.

This Quarantine has shaken us indeed. But my faith is strong and I will keep saying my prayers for this to be good for us in ways we can’t foresee. I hope you have the chance to enjoy the quiet beauties while you can. The sunrises and sunsets, the time to pursue forgotten past times, whole days to read a great book, moments to sit and just be. The hustle and bustle will return and we’ll look back with nostalgia on the year 2020–at least for this part of it.

Hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed this in person.

Hope you’ll take time to check out other A to Z blogs in the month on April. Click here to find the list. Click here for the Official A to Z blog. Have a great day and stay safe!!