436 No More Animal Crackers for Lunch: The Real Toll of Being an Educator.

Send us Fan MailThe truth is, the physical toll of working in Early Childhood Education is real — and too many educators are paying the price with their health. In this candid episode, Erica shares her own personal battle with being overweight and opens up about the hidden struggles many in our field face: lack of sleep, chronic stress, nonstop demands, and the bad habits we fall into just to get through the day.We’ll dive into the numbers — with studies showing that more than 75% of teachers report chronic stress (Penn State, 2017), and that nearly 70% of childcare workers are overweight or obese (CDC, 2020). Erica unpacks what those statistics really mean for our community, why it’s time to break the cycle, and how we can start taking better care of ourselves while still showing up for the children and families we serve.This is a raw, honest conversation about the cost of always putting yourself last — and the small, realistic changes that can set you on the path to health, energy, and longevity in this work we love.#nomoreanimalcrackers #packyourlunchSupport the showThe Child Care Director's Chair Podcast is proudly powered by WatchMeGrow, our premier podcast sponsor and a trusted partner in early childhood education.WatchMeGrow helps child care programs strengthen family engagement through secure live-streaming, classroom video access, and communication tools that build transparency, trust, and peace of mind for families. Their innovative technology empowers programs to enhance safety, strengthen relationships, and showcase the incredible learning happening in their classrooms every day.To learn more about how WatchMeGrow can support your program, visit www.watchmegrow.com.Thank you to WatchMeGrow for supporting our mission to inspire, equip, and empower child care leaders around the world.