Kids are easily the most fun loving, humorous, honest, bold, optimistic humans on earth. They love to laugh and they have the best imagination to create different worlds that is tailored to their enchanting lives. All you have to do is have one conversation with them and they will help you realize that some things are honestly not worth being stressed or upset over.
This summer I got the opportunity to work with these lively souls and realize that I need to stop looking at the world as a cold hard place where everyone is out to get me. Here are some reasons why you should agree:
1. They'll give you a million good laughs
They truly do say the darnedest things. They could be talking about their little kindergarten "relationships" or they could be telling you the most important story of their lives and not being able to get words out because they're so excited or even tell you the silliest of jokes. One of the most famous jokes being:
"What did the cow say?"
"I don't know, what?"
"Mooooooooo." As they burst out laughing thinking they just thought of one of the funniest jokes ever.
2. They're brutally honest (whether you like it or not)
I've been told countless things about my appearance that has made me self cautious or boosted my confidence, there is no in-between. My co-workers and I would get roasted by 6-year-olds almost everyday. Some wonderful examples we've endured are "your hair looks like straw," "you look like a different person without make up on!" and the famous "your arms are jiggly!" But, please do not worry, they will say the sweetest things as well. They don't mean to hurt your feelings (which it truly shouldn't), they just don't know how to filter what they say. But, trust me, they will filter sooner rather than later.
3. It's probably one of the most rewarding jobs
Being a 19 year-old, the kids would always look up to me and the other staff. We were their role models from when they're dropped off to when they're picked up. I honestly think about how much the kids have grown through out the short stint of 10 weeks of the camp every night. It's amazing how they grow to trust you with all their little secrets and stories. Knowing that you're helping shape them and making them happier kids is probably one of the coolest feelings. I promise you that.
4. They see the good in everyone and everything
Kids will respect you and admire you, unless you give them a reason not to. They don't realize how scary and mean the world can be and we should honestly keep it that way for as long as we can.
5. They'll help improve you
It's honestly not that shocking that a kindergartener has taught me a crazy amount of lessons. Kids will help you become more optimistic in hardships, they'll make you more curious, how to be patient, and they'll teach you how to stand your ground. As I've said they see the good in situations any adult wouldn't and being around that, you start to realize that maybe it wasn't the end of the world like you thought. Kids also ask about a million questions a day...so be prepared.
I must say, if you haven't had the amazing opportunity to be a nanny/babysitter, working at a daycare/camp, or even volunteering with kids, then you should try to. I'd definitly be lying if I said it was all sunshine and flowers (sometimes I wanted to rip my hair out) but the amount of appreciation I have for the kids I've got to know this summer is endless. It was an amazing experience and I wish everyone can experience working with kids at some point within their lives and they tell some pretty good jokes!
