I thought I would start out with an update about what’s been going on with me lately.
First, working as a transporter for Family Protective Services has been interesting. Also, just to give a recap of what that looks like, I drive foster kids to and from their parent visitations.
I think I have adjusted to the 8 am-5 pm schedule. So, with that I’m feeling like an adult where I have to be to bed by a certain time, compared to my college sleep schedule, it’s drastically different. You know, staying up as late as you need to in order to finish homework or just being able to go out and do things with friends late each night without caring too much about how tired you’ll be for classes the next day. Since the main part of my job is to drive, I NEED my sleep. I need my wits about me since I am in charge of one or more kids to get them to and from their visitations safely. My schedule fluctuates based on the cases I start. So, sometimes I have to wake up super early to be able to get to a location on time and then sometimes I work outside of the “normal” working hours. Most days I wake up around 5 am to 6 am to get ready and leave to go straight to a location to pick up a kid. It’s important to note that my goal during weeknights is to be going to sleep by 9:30 pm. Does that always happen? No. So, then on the weekends, I wish I could sleep in, but my internal clock has been like, “YOU NEED to get up at least by 7 am, you got work soon!” Then I usually lay in bed for one or two hours and just rest, but not sleep. For those bed-lovers, they understand just the comfort in being able to relax in your bed.
Since starting I’ve learned a lot about taking care of kids that I wasn’t aware of since there wasn’t a need before (besides babysitting). For example, in cars, the two metal loops in the cracks of the seats are for clipping in the car seats to keep them secure. I never needed to know that before. Sometimes, it’s really frustrating when it’s hot and I’m trying to unclip it from the loop and then I can’t seem to get the angle right. Kind of silly… There’s also so much to know with the right way to get a car seat buckled with the kid in it.
Needing to come up with different ways I have to entertain kids, even as a driver surprised me. Kids ask a lot of questions, some questions I don’t even know how to answer. The number of times I’ve been asked to play Kidz bop version of Old Town Road has been too many times! Another request I get a lot is songs by Katy Perry! I just have Pandora, so I have to tell them that I can’t just pick whatever music. Apparently, Disney music doesn’t fly with these kids. Sometimes I’ll be singing along to tracks from Mulan and then most of these kids haven’t seen the movie. I’m just like… what? I make sure to have coloring books in my car to keep them busy. Also, it’s kind of amusing how significant getting stickers are for elementary age kids, like that it can be a reward system. Kids like stickers, which works for me!
There definitely are those tough days where the kids are very emotional (easiest way to say it) and can’t seem to be reasoned with. I just do the best I can to get them where they need to go safely and try to take their minds off of their situations. Sometimes, I try to ask them questions about random things to get them talking or get some fun music going.
Second, what I do to decompress and relax is important too, just like I have talked about in previous posts, https://amomentwithrose.com/the-key-to-releasing-work-tension/, I need to find a balance with work life and my free time. If I were just to focus on work, I would get burned out, which is why it’s important to invest in things that make you happy.
So, this past weekend I finally decided that I would get a massage. Let me tell you, I am a fan of getting massages! I usually hold a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders, so I love the feeling during and after when that tension is no longer there. I had gone to Institute of Bodyworks Study. It’s a massage school, as well as open to the public for services. I went for a facial and massage. This was definitely a treat for me, though, I wish I could get them more often. Then, I met some friends for dinner and then we went swing dancing! I love swing dancing, but it’s been a couple of months since I had last gone. I was excited, but nervous to kind of start all over again, I knew I would get it after a couple of dances.
I went with two girlfriends; one I knew was pretty experienced and the other was a beginner. I was amazed by my first friend, she looked like a natural! As we were there early for the practice lesson, we scooted on in even though they already started. We looked towards one another and laughed as we tried to get the steps right and then friend one helping us. Friend two had brought her video camera, she brings that thing practically wherever she goes! We took turns getting a video of each other dancing with each other and trying new moves. Friend one had told a guy she works with to come, which he did and he taught us how to do the pretzel. It was so much fun!
This was the first time in a long time where I didn’t feel self-conscious about how I looked or acted. I didn’t care if people saw me mess up. I didn’t look around to see if there were any cute guys there. I was just being myself as I literally danced like no one was watching! I focused on what I was doing and really didn’t care what was going on in the minds of other people around me. The goal of coming was to let loose and enjoy myself and mission accomplished!
I did meet and talk to some people, guys that I danced with and also it was so cool that I happened to see this guy that I met in Arkansas who happened to be my college roommates’ cousin! He was there with his fiancé and introduced me to her. I couldn’t believe the coincidence! They were a lot of fun to talk to and I have a feeling I’ll get to see them again. 😊
The combination of intentional relaxation and putting an effort into planning something interactive with friends for the weekend was just what I needed after the Friday I had. It’s all a learning process for me to see what works for me to do with my free time. I want to stay happy and healthy and so I look into different options on how best to spend my time. The suggestions and opinions I share with you all aren’t just words put on a page. I try to live out my own advice. Let me just tell you, this past weekend I had an array of kinds of self-care: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. On the last, the girls that I went swing dancing with were from my bible study group. I like that we can hang out with each other outside of the church, that we can talk about the hard subjects and be there for each other, but also be myself with. We are all weird in some way, so it’s nice to be accepted and have fellowship with this group. God doesn’t just encourage personal, individual faith, but also the coming together of fellow believers. A community of believers of Jesus Christ is also a family.
I hope ya’ll know that you are loved!
Love, peace, and blessings!
Rose Hanlon