Going to work everyday for others may seem like a piece of cake. Having a 9 to 5 job where you sit all day sounds like a far away hope when it comes to my job. I spend my afternoons either covered in snot, saliva, blood, even poop, and no, I don't work at a hospital. I work with kids. The pride and joys of the world come together every day to try and take over the adult world. The fact that I know more about kids than probably my own mother does is probably the least of all the surprising things that I know. I have the basic knowledge of a psychiatrist, nurse, teacher, mother, father, etc. Now for all my fellow caretakers and teachers out there, you are probably either going to cry or laugh at these next couple of signs that you know all to well. Here are the top 13 signs that you work with kids:
1. It's the greatest birth control.
At this point in your life, you are probably thinking about all the great joys about having kids. Let's all remember that even though these kids are sweet little angel babies, most of the time you get the pleasure of sending them home at the end of the day. The next day they could hate your guts because you wouldn't let them have a second snack. Now you know that you still totally want kids, but just maybe not right now.
2. Outside of work all you talk about is kids.
I don't know how many times my friends and roommates have told me to shut up about my job and my kids. Honestly, the best stories that I have are from me being at work with my kids.
3. Pinterest is no longer about you.
Before kids, my Pinterest use to be filled with boards having titles like "things I want to try" or "diy home crafts." Now my Pinterest board has had a massive takeover of "outer space kid crafts" and "crafts for ages six to 10." If my family and friends didn't know where I worked, they probably would think I was pregnant or just have this weird thing with kids stuff.
4. Your co-workers are your best friends because they understand what you go through.
I probably could give a certain look to one of my co-workers and they would probably know exactly which kid was involved and what they did. I love the fact that I am surrounded by people who understand the struggle and happiness that comes with working with kids. We all hang out at work and outside of work because our own friends can't stand to hear us talk about work. Special thanks to my co-workers!
5. You start to get excited about kid stuff.
It has probably gotten to the point that you don't even know if the kids or you are more excited about the craft or activity that you are about to do. Working with kids is like having a second chance at a childhood except there are more perks and you are in charge this time.
6. Fast reflexes are a must.
Playing in the gym with kids you get injuries occurring left and right. In order to succeed you must have the reflexes of a well trained ninja. I don't know how many times a kid has walked right by me and fallen but I have been fast enough to catch them. Even for your own safety, being around kids you are likely going to have something thrown at your face whether it be something solid or liquid you have to have the reflexes.
7. Personal space issues are not acceptable.
I know that we tell the kids all the time about personal space and about your bubble that no one must pop. Usually the kids are kinda okay about following that rule with other kids but for some reason that rule does not apply to us. Kids love to be all up on us because for some reason they think that we aren't paying attention to what they are saying or doing unless they are literally in our faces.
8. Basically have the medical knowledge of a nurse.
I honestly believe that I am ready to take on anything. Bloody noses, concussions, knee and elbow scrapes I'm all over it. My first aid game is on point to the max. Anytime a kid gets injured, it's like your own theme music comes on and it's Ms.Erika to the rescue.
9. Here comes the babysitting offers.
Not only do we watch kids all day or all afternoon but now they want to take our weekends away from us! Just kidding. I would love to spend my Saturday afternoon, not only watching the kid that I spend my weekdays with, but also your to younger children as well. I am here to serve.
10. Never show weakness. Hide how tired you are.
It doesn't matter if you have been up all night studying for a test and that you took this test this morning and failed. You need to be alert and awake for these kids because any sign of tiredness you might as well be an old lady to them. It doesn't matter if you have just been playing tag for the past 30 minutes straight! You must run until your legs fall off.
11. Privacy is out the door. Along with your sanity.
What is privacy anyways? Like I mentioned earlier, kids don't know what a personal bubble is when it comes to space even for your thoughts. A friend could drop you off at work and they happen to be outside playing or see you. All of sudden they have a million questions for you and everything that is your life is thrown under the bus. Do you need to go to the bathroom? Hold it, because if you leave the room for more then five minutes, here come the questions again.
12. Doing anything outside of work becomes a stealth operation, because you could run into kids or parents.
Going to the grocery store isn't sacred anymore. Especially when you are with other people. They are already have to hear you talk about work all the time now they have to stand there while you talk to parents for 30 minutes. Then of course for the next week, every time they see you, this is all you hear: "I saw you at the grocery store" about a million times.
13. You know you have the best job ever when you work with kids.
It doesn't matter what happens at work that day you have the greatest job ever because you are guiding these little humans into the great big world. You might think that what you are doing is of small significance in there lives but you make a hug difference. Last but not least, thank you parents for giving us the opportunity to build great memories and friendships with your kids. We love them even when they pie us in the face with shaving cream and ketchup.
