1. You talk about the kids like you are their actual parent.
People who don't know you very well assume you are a parent because you recklessly throw the words "one of my kids" around. You know that you're referring to the children you work with, but the world does not. ("Today while one of my kids got in to a fight with another kid....oh! no! gosh, no! I don't have kids! The kids I work with!")
2. When you see anybody below the age of 10, you automatically smile and wave at them.
It doesn't matter if you're at the mall, a football game, or the grocery store...if there is a child there, you want to say hi. This sometimes results in said child giving you a confused look and walking away with thoughts of stranger danger in their head...but you just can't help yourself. It's even better when they return your smile.
3. Reunions are your favorite
When you see one of your favorite kiddos somewhere after the summer has ended, it’s like you have found your long lost child. Of course, hugs, pictures, and many questions about their school year, their teacher, and their friends follow.
4. You have awkward tan lines from being outside in your STAFF t-shirt every single day.
You're extra lucky if you have to take the kids swimming, and are required to wear a one piece swimming suit, or a t-shirt in the water.
5. You catch yourself using your “teacher” voice when your friends aren't listening to you.
6. You have a list of outrageous comments that your kiddos said to you.
This is the best part of working with children. "When you take communion, are you actually eating the body of Christ?"
7. Your room is full of coloring pages the kids made just for you.
Most of them half colored, with misspelled words. The worse the spelling, the cuter the pictures seem to get. Obviously you don't have the heart to throw their creations away...ever.
8. Sometimes that one "problem child" haunts your nightmares.
You know the one...The 4th grader who liked to say the f-word around your 1st graders, the one who ran away once a week, the one who liked to throw things at you, etc.
9. You have a special work bond with your co-workers...
...who shared many days of tantrums, tag, fights, swimming in ice cold water, time-outs, screaming, cleaning, and learning with you.
