The emotional forecast and our current situation.
Our current situation has allowed for a significant reduction in the pace of things at The Ranches. While we’re still caring for the kids and facilitating their education, I have a bit more time on my hands than usual. I have started making a list of every single company that I have ever done business with or inquired about doing business with. I didn’t set out to intentionally compile the list, but my inbox is full of emails letting me know how everyone is responding. I am thankful that the company that made the aftermarket floor mats for my old 2006 Jeep Commander has a plan along with my trailer hitch supplier and my kids long forgotten formula company and many, many, many others. It would seem that communicating a response is paramount in this scenario and I do understand why and how it’s unfolded the way that it has.
What About The Kids?
Aside from the reintroduction of prayer, grounding, additional chores and “time out” into most schools that are now at home, how does all of this effect the kids at The Ranches – or the kids now at home? What is the emotional forecast?
We’ve used the following Haim G. Ginott quote for quite some time in our training and it seems more relevant than ever, right now:
“I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child’s
life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized.”
In Times Like These
It’s more important than ever to empathize with those who work with children.
So, I’m sure that, at some point in the near future, we will sit down and assess the impact that all of this has had on donations and donor engagement and employee satisfaction and commitment, right now, it is simply about the kids. We are working to create the best emotional climate for them possible here at The Ranches. We have no plans to send kids home or lay anyone off or isolate ourselves unnecessarily, but we do plan on playing a few board games, getting a little outdoor exercise, telling a few stories, caring for the horses and other animals and creating a climate of calm and peace while believing that everything will indeed be alright.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. And the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
To quote another, less recognized, philosophical mind.
-Dave Grohl
“It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these time and time again”
The New Normal
As you go about our hopefully temporary new normal, please remember that you too have the power to create the emotional climate in your part of the world.
Whether its teaching math that you have forgotten long before your kids were born or just the time you spend in the toilet paper aisle at your local grocery store; you can help to create a better emotional forecast for those you do come into contact with. We’ll keep you posted on things when we have the opportunity. In the meantime, please know that the kids are doing well. We are taking every precaution to protect and support all that are connected to The Ranches. All we ask is that you include us in your prayers. Even if the prayers are now in the school that is now in your living room. Maybe we can all make the weather a little better for everyone.
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