When I talk about my job working with children, a common response is, "I love kids!" And while yes, I do love kids too, my job isn't completely glamorous. I've held a crying baby for over two hours, I've cleaned the unspeakable, I've changed hundreds of diapers, and I've dealt with more than thirty kids under the age five. It isn't all butterflies and rainbows, but it's rewarding. Not because of the paycheck or the typical, "watching kids grow and learn," but because sometimes, the kids teach me more about life than I could ever teach them. Here are 10 of the lessons I've learned while working in child care:

1. Making friends and being kind is a lot simpler than we make it out to be.

Have you ever watched a kid make a friend? They walk up, introduce themselves and say, "Do you want to play together?" It usually goes perfectly, at least for a little while. I think many times adults shy away from these interactions because we're too concerned with looking silly and fearing what others will think.

2. It's okay to admit you need a time out.

Kids hate time out, but many times they know they need it. Like kids, we should recognize when it's time to step back and put ourselves in the time out corner.

3. Mom and Dad are the greatest human beings on the planet.

Kids look at their parents as if they're their entire world. It's important to remember that as we grow up, we need to thank those we love for helping us become who we are. Whether it's your first day of preschool or your college graduation, they'll always be there cheering you on. Don't lose the big, innocent smile you always got when you saw them come to pick you up from daycare.

4. Making a mess is fun.

As adults, we often interpret messes as a negative thing. We forget to jump in puddles, play in the mud, and have a food fight once in a while. Getting messy can be great.

5. Honesty is the best policy.

Kids are blatantly honest. Sometimes a little too honest. I was once told, as a 20-year-old, that I look thirteen. But, hey, the kid was being honest and that can be a beautiful trait that, sadly, people don't hold onto for long.

6. Different is cool.

I once heard a 5-year-old go up to another little kid of a different ethnicity. He said in awe, "Your skin is awesome," and it warmed my heart. We all too often forget that being different is what makes the world such a great place. We aren't the same and that's cool. It's time we start learning from each other and not only accepting differences, but embracing them.

7. Arguments should be short-lived. Life's too short.

Watching kids argue is always kind of funny, because the next thing you know it they're playing together again and everything is perfectly fine. Kids don't hold grudges, they say sorry and they let it go. Like, "Yeah, he called me a mean word, but we like the same games and he said sorry so we're cool." I think we can all learn from that.

8. Snacks cure everything.

Dunkaroos...remember those? Gushers, fruit-roll-ups...must I continue?

9. Looks don't matter.

Mismatched socks, stains on the shirt, muddy sneakers and crumbs on the face—remember those days? In the end, kids teach us that friendships are made on the basis of likes and dislikes, hobbies and talents, and shared experiences. The color of your hair and your perfectly winged eyeliner won't be important ten years from now.

10. Your "favorite things" will change.

Ask a kid their favorite color two days in a row, and I guarantee you'll get two different answers. If there's one thing kids teach us, it's that we can't be so sure of ourselves. Change is a good thing and being happy is what matters most.