*How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?
…ten tickles. (tentacles)
*Why does a mermaid wear seashells?
… B shells are too small and D shells are too big.
Ok, perhaps those fall in the category of “Dad Jokes” or groaners, but these last few days have reminded me of the necessity for laughter. When the news is heavy, we cannot continue to flood ourselves with details of the darkness without coming up for air once in awhile.
When I first expressed interest in working full time in trauma informed behavior supports, one of my long-time teaching mentors asked me a hard, honest question. He asked if I’d be able to handle that; just working with the toughest kids all day. Going from behavior to behavior, often taking the brunt of the anger as it comes out sideways.
I’ve thought a lot about that question. And I’m sure anyone in the behavior professional industry will tell you you have to be 100% intentional with balance. Finding a way to be aware of matching the uppers for the downers. It might mean surrounding yourself with coworkers you can laugh with, getting lost in a mindless show or book, or being silly with a little one. In some ways, this is the beauty of being a classroom teacher. Most days, the struggles and the successes even the score. You may have an angry kid tear up a paper one minute, and in the next have a student finally understand the concept of rounding. It’s yin and yang.
My sister and I just had a talk yesterday about the power of laughter. We were both having heavy days- caught up in the aftermath of the Texas school shooting, anniversary of George Floyd, and other traumatic news in the headlines. We exchanged stories about our boys, and repeated funny tweets and memes going around. As we ended our conversation, I felt physically lighter, swinging my purse cheerfully as I walked into Target.
And it’s brain science really. Laughter trades the stress hormone cortisol with oxytocin and dopamine- chemicals known to produce pleasure and contentedness. And as much as a bad rap social media takes, it is also a tremendous source for funny tweets and anecdotes and humorous viral videos (Have you heard of Bad Lip Reading? Please search it up. You won’t be sorry.)
Throughout this trauma training journey, I’ve met people who have dedicated their lives to trauma care. I’ve had conversations with teachers in extreme and sometimes violent residential settings, and social workers in the children’s trauma ER. Inevitably in the conversation, I end up making some sort of awkward cheesy joke. Most likely it’s a response to nerves, but it’s also my go-to when things get too intense. I’m sure there are some who read that as unprofessional, but I think it’s why I continue to lean towards optimism…which could not be more important when talking with children in trauma.
Perhaps for every hard situation we guide kids through, we can counteract with play and laughter. A reminder that although life is sometimes unthinkable and unexpected, it’s also beautiful and playful.
And it’s essential to note that allowing laughter and happiness doesn’t mean we are discrediting the seriousness of the trauma, but in fact intentionally balancing our hearts and minds so we can take that next step forward. So on that note…
Why is it a bad idea to fart in church?
…you have to sit in your own pew.
*** In lieu of a book link (although I’m reading a GREAT one on teen girls…stay tuned), I’m linking some of my favorite humorous links when I need a dopamine dose.
#3 This link with 25 misheard situations. I. Am. Dying.🤣
#4 Classic go-to… Kid Snippets: Math Class (Adults acting out kid skits)
Teaching the Good Stuff 