Sometimes Jesus calls us out upon the waters... I bet you never guessed that those very waters would consist of tiny humans who may or may not want to drown you. Or cuddle you. Or both. The snuggle is real... and trust me so is the sass. But if your like me and think tiny people are the best people then maybe we are in the same boat. Here's some tips to keep your head above water:
1.Be Patient!! You are surrounded by tiny humans who think they know everything yet probably can't use the bathroom by them selves or share a toy if their life depended on it. You're going to need patience to work through the accidents and melt downs with out having one yourself.
2.Don't breathe out of your nose. Ever! Someone stinks. Always. And there is no better way to get through changing 5 poopy diapers, back to back, then some good old fashion mouth breathing. I've learned most bodily fluids are a lot less gross if you don't smell them. Invest in some Sentzy for your class room and forget you have a nose. You can thank me later.
3.Get used to being dirty. I would tell you to bring a change of clothes, but who really has time for that? We barely have time to pee. If you aren't covered in snot and diaper cream did you really even go to work? You might smell like breast milk at the end of the day, but hey you kept the tiny humans alive and that makes you a winner!
4.Learn to let it go. Kids are kids. They are going to press your buttons all the way to the psychiatrist's office, if you let them. They are going to out sass you and out smart you (Or at least try to). Some battles will be worth it and some won't. Pick and choose carefully, your sanity depends on it.
5. Embrace the mess. Childcare is messy. All the time. Tiny humans are born pros at dragging out toys but the whole picking up thing is a learning process. That process might last 10 years but, oh well. If you think a messy class room is bad, I have two words for you. Spaghetti Day. I don't even want to talk about it. But that messy class room means busy hands. Happy hands. Those messy faces? Full bellies. So the messier the better.
6. Know Jesus. You are going to be spending a lot of time talking to him. Some days you might beg for mercy and other days you will praise him for the squishy little babies you get to love on all day. You will wonder how your lap & your heart got so full and you will feel blessed. Thank him for that and ask him for help when you need that too.
7. Love your parents. They are leaving you with their prized possession and that is something special. This isn't easy for them, they would probably take your place in a heart beat. So honor them in everything you do and they will appreciate it more than you will ever know.
8. Love your babies. This right here is why we do what we do. Teacher love is something fierce. Nothing says "I love my Job" like being elbow deep in someone else's kid's poop & still coming to work the next day. Love them through the transitions. Love them through the challenges. Love them through the day. Because if you do it in love, if you do it for The Kingdom, you will find so much purpose in it.
So are you ready to serve? These families? Your community? You will find your self more often than not being the hands and feet of Jesus. Because nothing brings glory to The Kingdom like pouring into our children. Our future. This job isn't for everyone, will you sink or swim?
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
