Keep an eye on your feelings – notice which posts, pages, groups and people bring out the comparisons. Consider taking a break from them or unfollowing them if you regularly have a negative response. If any make you feel positive, use them for inspiration and note down any ideas you want to try. 

Practice gratitude – focus on real-life things you feel good about and are thankful for. Social media isn’t real life, so draw your attention to good things happening in front of you. You could ask the children too – they very often have wonderful and imaginative things to share! 

At the risk of stating the obvious, take a break or limit your time on social media. Your phone settings may let you set time limits for certain apps.

Finally, on a personal and professional note, in each wonderful service, I have been privileged to work with and observe as a consultant, the things I remember are not the resources and beautifully set up play experiences (although these are important) – it’s the educators’ interactions with children, their greetings, their time spent down on the floor playing, scaffolding learning, showing interest and building trusting relationships. And none of that really shows on social media posts anyway.

Caitlin Mason
Consultant, Community Child Care Association