I love kids. I have spent countless summers working as a camp counselor for local day cares and camps, and I haven't had enough yet. I have worked in different companies with all kinds of different kids and co-workers, and have been placed in all types of situations. However, no matter where I have worked, what kids I've worked with, there are several universal things that all people who work with kids know to be true.
1. Safety is ALWAYS #1.
We, as camp counselors, know this all too well. Kids are always getting hurt, so it's always safety first!
2. Kids never understand that safety is #1...
3. You roll your eyes at least 100 times a day.
4. You are constantly taking head counts.
5. No matter how clear you make your instructions, kids will always ask questions.
6. You are always watching what you're saying, because kids will repeat any and every thing (even though they can never repeat your instructions).
7. Kids will lie or say anything to get out of trouble.
8. There is no such thing as a "normal" day.
9. There's no such thing as a "normal" kid.
10. Kids have the wildest imaginations.
11. There's always the "good" kid, the "bad" kid, and the "cute" kid stereotypes.
12. Dealing with parents is actually the most stressful thing.
13. Getting a hug from a kid at the end of the day is one of the best feelings.
14. Kids will do the wildest things.
A co-worker of mine once knew a kid that just ate chalk like it was a candy bar! No one made them do it, it was all them. This was not a little kid either, this was an older kid around 10!
15. You and your co-workers are constantly joking around with one another, because you guys are children at heart.
16. Water is terrifying.
You are part counselor and part lifeguard at the pool, and you don't play around!
17. You are constantly asking, "Why?" and saying, "Are you serious?" when you're really thinking, "What the actual...?"
18. Remaining positive is always key!
19. You love those kids even though they drive you up a wall.
Despite what people tend to think, working with kids is a very important job. They learn from us, and we are responsible for teaching them the right things. They look up to us. We are role models and I, for one, am pretty proud of that.
