The ABC's Of Preschool ; Inspiration for Moms, Teachers & Childcare Providers Ms. Amber

In this episode, Ms. Amber dives into the crucial topic of burnout, especially for those in leadership roles such as center owners, directors, and busy parents. She shares her journey through burnout and the steps she has taken to reclaim her health and happiness. If you’re feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, this episode is for you. Ms. Amber discusses practical strategies to identify and address burnout, take ownership of your life, and make meaningful changes. Tune in for an honest conversation and actionable advice to help you break free from burnout.
 
Key Highlights:
[00:01 - 09:37] Understanding Burnout
Defining burnout and its impact on leaders and parents.
Personal stories of burnout and how it manifests physically.
The importance of recognizing burnout and its root causes.
How external validation contributes to burnout.
[09:38 - 16:44] Taking Ownership and Identifying Weaknesses
The first step is acknowledging that we are the drivers of our lives.
Identifying why we overextend ourselves and the need for external validation.
Recognizing our weaknesses and tasks that don’t bring us joy.
The importance of delegating and passing tasks to others.
[16:45 - 18:13] Hiring and Delegating
The benefits of hiring help to reduce burnout.
Working on your business rather than in it.
My personal experience with taking a sabbatical and its positive effects.
How delegating tasks has improved my business and personal life.
[18:14 - 22:56] Prioritizing Self-Care and Scheduling
The importance of self-care and its impact on health.
Strategies for scheduling time for yourself and your loved ones.
The role of sleep and rest in preventing burnout.
Creating a morning routine to start the day right.
 
If you liked this episode of The ABC’s Of Preschool, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!
 
You can CONNECT with Ms. Amber:
 Website: www.thelovingstartway.com
Instagram: thelovingstartway
 
Ms. Amber is the author of the ABC's of Preschool the founder of Loving Start Learning Centers. www.lovingstartlearningcenter.com and founder of the Loving Start Way Academy.
 
Thank you for tuning in! 
 
Tweetable Quotes:
 “We have to admit that we, we are the ones that are driving our life.” - Ms. Amber
 “As drivers of our life, we have to be intentional how we want our lives to look.” - Ms. Amber
 “Identifying your weaknesses, the things that do not bring you joy so you can pass those off, give them to someone else that loves to do those things. Take them off your plate.” - Ms. Amber
 “Work on your business, not in it. Get out of the rat race truly, because once you do, it's life-changing.” - Ms. Amber
 “If your life is not the way you want it, change it up.” - Ms. Amber

In this episode, Ms. Amber reflects on the swift passage of time and the importance of prioritizing moments with our children. She shares her personal experiences and offers practical advice for young parents on making time with their kids a priority in our busy, technology-driven lives.
 
Key Highlights:
[00:01 - 05:42] The Fast Passage of Time
Reflecting on the fast passage of time with the kids.
Challenges of staying present in a tech-driven world.
Importance of cherishing moments with young children.
[05:43 - 09:47] Shifting Roles in Parenting
Parenting involves guiding children to independence.
Parenting role shifts as children grow older.
Time with children is fleeting and precious.
Phones and distractions hinder being present.
[09:48 - 15:27] Practical Tips 1 & 2: Prioritize Family Time
Make conscious efforts to prioritize family moments.
Speak out loud about prioritizing time with your children.
Calendar important events and activities to ensure you don't miss them.
[15:27 - 19:21] Practical Tips 3: Being Present And Creating Lasting Memories
Put down your phone and give your full attention to your children.
Designate family days with minimal phone use.
Spend individual quality time with each child.
Lead by example to show the importance of being present.
 
If you liked this episode of The ABC’s Of Preschool, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!
 
You can CONNECT with Ms. Amber:
Website: www.thelovingstartway.com 
Instagram: thelovingstartway
 
Ms. Amber is the author of the ABC's of Preschool the founder of Loving Start Learning Centers. www.lovingstartlearningcenter.com and founder of the Loving Start Way Academy.
 
Thank you for tuning in! 
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“Our ultimate job as parents are to train up beautiful, responsible, independent human beings.” - Ms. Amber
“Time is like an ice cube.” - Ms. Amber
“You're not going to regret making time a priority because we never know what comes tomorrow. We never know what's coming around the corner. So calendar it, calendar the important things and work around that schedule.” - Ms. Amber
“The older we get, the things that are going to bother us, we're going to have guilt is all the things that we didn't do right with our kids. So if we can just be intentional, intentional with prioritizing our time with our kids, we will not regret it. And let me tell you, it goes incredibly fast.” - Ms. Amber

In this episode, Ms. Amber shares her thoughts on the power of gratitude and its impact on daily life. She encourages listeners to embrace a spirit of thankfulness, practice positive affirmations, and include children in gratitude rituals to build resilience and perspective.
 
Key Highlights:
[00:01 - 05:27] Gratitude and Daily Life
Starting the day with gratitude eases the hardships.
Gratitude helps combat self-doubt and negative thoughts.
Implementing a morning routine with gratitude can improve overall well-being.
Practicing gratitude helps manage overwhelming daily responsibilities.
[05:28 - 10:33] Implementing Gratitude and Journaling
Start the day with gratitude to improve your well-being.
Journaling helps put life into perspective and reduce anxiety.
Teach children gratitude to provide them with coping skills.
Reflecting on progress reminds us of our achievements and growth.
[10:34 - 14:41] The Power of Gratitude and Positive Thinking
Struggling with self-doubt and slow progress is normal.
Returning to a morning routine of gratitude helps center the mind.
Speaking positively and believing in your path can manifest change.
Seeking help and acknowledging the power of words is essential.
[14:42 - 18:12] Closing Segment
Speak about what you want to happen in your life.
Include children in gratitude practices to teach them coping skills.
Start and end the day with gratitude to gain perspective.
Make an intentional decision to change negative thought patterns.
 
If you liked this episode of The ABC’s Of Preschool, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!
 
You can CONNECT with Ms. Amber:
 
Website: www.thelovingstartway.com
Instagram: thelovingstartway
 
Ms. Amber is the author of the ABC's of Preschool the founder of Loving Start Learning Centers. www.lovingstartlearningcenter.com and founder of the Loving Start Way Academy.
 
Thank you for tuning in!
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“We can do great things if gratitude is at our core.” - Ms. Amber
“If we constantly speak the negative, it's in the universe and I am a firm believer, what we speak is what happens.” - Ms. Amber
“Life is beautifully freaking messy. But if we can start our day with gratitude and maybe even end our day in gratitude, even in the dark. I think it could help us all.”  - Ms. Amber
“If we just start our day with gratitude, first thing, if we can go into a spirit of thankfulness, gratitude, I think it eases, lessens the hard.”  - Ms. Amber

In this episode, Ms. Amber shares her reflections as she transitions from hands-on parenting to supporting her nearly adult children. She discusses strategies for managing the summer with young children, emphasizing the balance between structured activities and free time. Listen as she offers practical tips for creating a memorable and manageable summer, including establishing routines, engaging in thematic activities at her preschool, and setting up creative spaces at home. Ms. Amber provides insights on making summer both fun for kids and relaxing for parents, ensuring everyone enjoys the season to the fullest.
 
Key Highlights:
 
[00:01 - 05:12] Embracing the Transition and Preparing for Summer
Reflects on a memorable Mother's Day and the bittersweet feelings as her youngest child approaches adulthood.
She shifts from active parenting to a supportive role for her young adult children.
Challenges in maintaining engaging, structured activities during the less routine summer months.
Expresses her emotional journey towards the end of her intensive parenting phase.
 
[05:013 - 11:31] Tips for a Fun and Manageable Summer
Establish a Routine: Suggest setting up a simple summer routine that includes daily activities to keep children engaged.
Social and Self-care: Encourages playdate swaps and leveraging family support to balance child care with personal time.
Create a Creative Space: Advocates for setting up a dedicated space at home where kids can safely engage in creative play independently.
 
[11:31 - 13:14] Closing Segment
The importance of summer preparation with a blend of activities, childcare solutions, and household involvement for kids.
Shares a personal message of encouragement for parents to enjoy the summer while managing expectations and stress.
 
If you liked this episode of The ABC’s Of Preschool, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!
 
You can CONNECT with Ms. Amber:
 
Website: www.thelovingstartway.com
Instagram: thelovingstartway
 
Ms. Amber is the author of the ABC's of Preschool the founder of Loving Start Learning Centers. www.lovingstartlearningcenter.com and founder of the Loving Start Way Academy.
 
Thank you for tuning in!
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“It's really important to also have a routine. And the routine could be really simple. Maybe you just create a summer calendar and it's not back to back to back activities, but I would suggest that every day, at least one thing you have an activity one time a day.” - Ms. Amber
“It's really important when you are running like just full time with your kiddos to get a little bit of a break and a rest for you so then you can be the best version of a parent that you want to be.” - Ms. Amber
“Come up with some sort of routine. Kids love repetition. They like to know what's coming next.” - Ms. Amber

In this episode, Ms. Amber shares her personal and professional insights on the crucial role of parents as advocates in their children's educational journey. Drawing from her own experiences as a mother and a preschool owner, she discusses the challenges and rewards of choosing the right educational settings for individual learning needs. This discussion encourages parents to critically evaluate traditional and alternative schooling options to ensure their children thrive.
 
Key Highlights:
[00:01 - 05:11] Parental Advocacy in Education
The critical role of parental advocacy in choosing the right educational setting for each child.
Ms. Amber shares her challenges with her children in traditional schools, underscoring the need for active parental involvement.
Urges parents to evaluate if a school truly meets their child's needs, beyond its popularity.
The significance of advocating for preschool is to prevent long-term educational struggles.
[05:12 - 12:11] Advocating Beyond the "Box"
Reflects on personal experiences with the restrictive nature of traditional "box" education systems.
Ms. Amber explains efforts to integrate various educational philosophies in her learning centers to support diverse learning needs.
The emotional distress faced by children who do not fit into conventional educational frameworks.
She shares the emotional challenges of watching her children struggle, advocating for education that adapts to individual needs.
[12:12 - 15:14] Embracing Educational Flexibility
Encourages parents to seek out the best educational fit for their children.
Highlights the importance of adapting educational environments to suit individual needs.
Proposes alternative educational arrangements such as smaller class sizes or homeschooling.
Stresses addressing educational challenges early to prevent more serious issues.
Underscores the critical role of parents as primary advocates for their children's education.
[15:15 - 19:24] Closing Segment
The necessity of moving away from traditional educational systems that fail to serve all students.
The importance of tailoring education to fit individual learning styles and social preferences.
Encourages parents to actively seek the best educational environments for their children, despite potential challenges.
 
If you liked this episode of The ABC’s Of Preschool, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!
 
You can CONNECT with Ms. Amber:
 Website: www.thelovingstartway.com
Instagram: thelovingstartway
 
Ms. Amber is the author of the ABC's of Preschool the founder of Loving Start Learning Centers. www.lovingstartlearningcenter.com and founder of the Loving Start Way Academy.
 
Thank you for tuning in! 

In this episode, Ms. Amber explores the complexities of classroom management. She tackles the dynamic challenges and strategies essential for fostering a nurturing and effective learning environment, from transitioning teaching styles and maintaining a joyful classroom to emphasizing the importance of outdoor activities and positive reinforcement. Discover how flexibility, team collaboration, and a focus on positive interactions can transform your educational approach and help every student thrive.
 
Key Highlights:
[00:01 - 06:50] Classroom Management Foundations
The complexity and importance of managing a classroom effectively.
The educator's mood and preparedness significantly affect the students' learning environment.
Need to update teaching techniques for modern challenges
Some foundational strategies are always essential.
[06:51 - 13:52] Transitioning Teaching Methods
Transitioning from a strict Montessori method to a more dynamic, joyful educational approach.
The importance of setting and maintaining a structured daily schedule to provide stability for students.
Challenges faced with team consistency and staff commitment.
The need for diverse, age-appropriate activities to sustain children's involvement and prevent disruptions.
[13:53 - 22:00] Positive Classroom Environment Strategies
Avoid being overly concerned with minor issues; understand that children are learning and will make mistakes.
Encourage trust and excitement in the classroom through kindness and a loving approach.
Ensure varied and engaging activities to keep children interested and prevent disruptive behaviors.
The importance of outdoor activities to combat short attention spans and promote imaginative play.
[22:01 - 25:07] Closing Segment
Role of the educator as a leader and aligning the team with the educational vision.
Work with supportive team members for effective educational plan implementation.
Scheduled activities should include a variety of engaging options like music and dance.
The crucial role of positive feedback in fostering student engagement and behavior.
 
If you liked this episode of The ABC’s Of Preschool, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!
 
You can CONNECT with Ms. Amber:
Website: www.thelovingstartway.com
Instagram: thelovingstartway
 
Ms. Amber is the author of the ABC's of Preschool the founder of Loving Start Learning Centers. www.lovingstartlearningcenter.com and founder of the Loving Start Way Academy.
Thank you for tuning in! 
Tweetable Quotes:
“For anyone to thrive in an environment, there must be love, kindness, and acceptance, and encouragement.” - Ms. Amber
“Setting up and defining a clear daily schedule for classroom management to work, you've got to come up with a schedule and you've got to stick with it.” - Ms. Amber
“We've got to have a daily routine. Kids need routine. They need boundaries. They need to know where they're supposed to go next that makes them feel safe.” - Ms. Amber
If you're a teacher that, at the end of the day goes to the parents all the time with something negative, you're sweating the small stuff. Giving grace, and love and kindness to each of your students is going to allow them to trust you, to lean into you, and to be excited for what you're offering in the classroom - Ms. Amber