Child Therapist's Survival Kit

Today I got the most amazing care package from my sister to congratulate me on my job. It was this great big box with a basket and all these trinkets with little cards on it. Not only did they offer survival tips, but they also will be useful at my new job! I truly have the most amazing sister!!


Here is a list of what was inside, and the message on each card:

• Rope -- so when you reach the end of yours you can tie a knot and hang on
• Clock -- don't forget to take some time for yourself
• An extra pair of hands -- for when you just can't do it alone
• Hugs and Kisses -- because every child (and therapist) deserves them
• Gum -- to help you chew things over... (...not chew others out)
• A puzzle -- to remind you that its hard to put people back together, but sometimes hey can't do it without you
• A magic wand -- to fix things that you can't
• Balloons -- to blow up so that you won't
• Cotton -- to help remember that feelings are soft
• Paper plates -- for the times that you have too much on yours!
• Coffee -- to help you stay awake
• A coloring book -- because at the end of the day sometimes being a kid helps
• A yoga video -- to remind you to be flexible
• Glasses -- to remind you that sometimes clients see the world differently
• Dry erase board -- to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, but you can always erase them
• Notepads -- for jotting down notes and appointments
• Magic 8 Ball -- for all the times you don't have the answers
• m&m's -- because they make friends
• Air Pump -- to get pumped up on bad days
• Trail mix -- to remind you to eat
• Band aids -- to heal hurt feelings (theirs and yours)
• Lifesavers -- to remind you of the many that need your help
• Eyemask -- to cover your eyes and forget the little things
• Music -- to help your clients (and you) relax
• Shout Wipes -- to get rid of the messes you will make
• Sour patch kids -- to appreciate the differences in others, and to take the good with the bad
• Paper clips -- to help you hold it all together
• Smarties -- for those days you don't feel so smart
• Nuts -- because sometimes you feel like a nut
• Candles -- to remind you to share your light with others
• Tissues -- for when the big stories of little people break your heart and make you cry
• Bath salts -- to take you away at the end of the day
• Sill putty -- to stretch you beyond your limits
• Pain killers -- for the headache you will get
• Starbursts -- for when you need a burst of energy
• Cell Phone -- to remind you that it's ok to call for help sometimes
• Rubber band ball -- to help you bounce back from the hard hits
• A friend -- to hug you when I can't
• Clothespin -- to help you hang in there
• Toothpicks -- to help you pick through the problems that can be helped, and which ones can't
• Tootsie Roll -- to remind you to roll with the punches
• Quarter -- for when you need to call in for a mental health day
• Smiley Face -- to remember your impact on those you help (and that smiles are contagious)
• Button -- to remind you to button your lips from saying what you really think
• Penny -- to help make "cents" of it all
• Mirror (and tiara) -- for when things get really tough, and you feel like you are doing it all wrong, don't forget to look in the mirror and remind yourself of what a brilliant princess you are
• Cat in the Hat hat -- to remind you to have fun (if your job ever becomes work you shouldn't be doing it anymore)

I was speechless, and in tears!