Skills For Success

While speaking at the Canadian Mental Health Association today, I realized that it is Canadian Mental Health Week as well as Teacher Appreciation Week. Since teaching is apparently the 4th most stressful profession, it seems fitting to think about ways we could show a teacher we care. There are many "mom- 2- mom" blogs that discuss this at length, and honestly, while some of the ideas do show they care it just serves to put even more stress on the parents. 

 And the point is NOT to stress anyone more than they already are!!  By the way, did you know that almost half of the Long Term Disability claims by teachers are stress related? Hmmm....I wonder what the percentage is for the parents who feel they have to dash all over town to buy just the right gift, or even worse, buy a small gift for every day of this week for the teacher, or teachers, if they have more than one offspring.

Ahhh, life just seems to get more complicated.

But, I'm here to say that, at least in the case of the teacher appreciation token this week, stick to the old adage: KISS (keep it simple stupid). If you want to buy a gift, the teachers I know well really enjoy gift certificates (Chapters are the easiest and work for both genders). If even that is too much for you because you are run off your feet this week, write a friendly note of appreciation; they are rarely received but always appreciated. 

As for the apple for teacher?  Well, you can't go wrong there either....as long as your kid doesn't eat it on the way to school!!