I love kids. I always have. I love hanging out with kids, watching them grow up and interacting with them. I can't wait to have my own kids someday and raise them myself, although it terrifies me and I know I have some time before I get there. But when it comes to taking care of children, I think I have a little bit of practice under my belt.
I am 20 (almost 21) years old and I am going into my junior year of college. In the past three to four years, I've held three jobs that consist of working with children. I worked at a place that hosted children's birthday parties, at a daycare and now I have been a summer nanny for three years. I babysit often, too, as well as volunteer at summer camps and Bible school.
Some days, all these kiddos drive me crazy. But other days, they make me so extremely happy. They are unaware of all the bad happening in the world. They're so simplistic and the easiest things entertain them. Plus, they're kind of funny sometimes.Their simplistic, worry-free minds provide humor in the strangest situations.
Occasionally over the past four years, whenever they pull one of these humorous comments out of their brains, I jot down some in the notes in my phone just because they make me laugh. With all the stress, negativity and anger in our world currently I decided to share some of these comments. Enjoy!
1. "Mom?"
2. *sees animal control car* "Is that dog going to jail?"
3. "I saw your underwear!"
4. "Does 'maybe' mean 'yes'?"
5. "Let's play 'nap time.'"
6. Me: "Did you poop?" Child: "No." Me: "Are you sure?" Child: "No."
7. "Where are your kids?"
8. "I drew you a smiley face so you stay happy!"
9. "Why do you need to go potty?"
10. "Are you a gymnast?"
11. "Mommy and Daddy think kissing is yucky!"
12. "Why are you a grown up?"
13. "My bottom tickles!"
14. "You're my best friend."
In all reality, working with kids so often has taught me so much about others and myself. Mostly, it has taught me patience. Although I'm sometimes still extremely impatient, I still know that I'm capable of being patient when I need to be.
It has also taught me to love even when it's hardest to do so. I think this is the most important thing I've learned over the past four years working with these kiddos, and I will carry it with me throughout the rest of my life. I've seen them show their love to me and their love to others through hugs, forgiveness and giggles. To me, it's just something that stems from their simplistic minds, and I have been trying to learn that simplicity within love so that it may be a part of me forever.
