When I started working at a daycare four years ago, no one told me how big of an impact it would have on my life. No one told me that I’d never want to leave when it was finally time for me to part ways. No one told me that I’d finally learn what it meant to look at a kid and never want them to grow up. I wasn’t told that I’d go to the daycare on my days off because I didn’t want to miss a day with my kiddos. And certainly no one told me about daycare moms.

Working at a daycare, I seem to give a lot of the credit for loving my job to the kiddos; and it’s true. The kids I care for keep me sane; they keep me happy, and they fill me with love. But, having moms who trust and love me enough to put their kids in my care has impacted my life in more ways than one. So, let me tell you why daycare moms are the best moms.

To state the obvious, if they didn’t trust us enough to care for their kids, we’d be out of a job. Luckily, they notice how hard we work and how tender we love their kids, and they choose us to help them grow up. Out of anybody, they choose us to help raise their greatest gift in life, and I think that speaks volumes. For I was once a stranger to them when I started working there, they quickly opened their hearts and trusted me enough to walk this journey with their kids: to help their kids learn to walk, to teach their kids the ABCs, and to giggle and laugh with them all day long; they chose me share these milestones with.

Having somebody trust me enough to care for their kids is great in itself. But even more than that, they never fail to remind me just how much they trust me, appreciate me, and are lucky to have me caring for their kids. Without a doubt, daycare moms are some of the most appreciative people I have yet to meet. They know our work is hard; they beat society’s cliché idea that all we do is sit around and play with Legos. They know we are doing are best. The message is clear whether they express it with their many thank yous, their words, or with…

Donuts. Yes, daycare moms spoil us; we are spoiled rotten. Whether it’s donuts from Sandy’s or cookies from the local bakery. Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s day, you name it; they never fail to include us in the festivities. Fruit pizza or coffee or cute little Pinterest plants, they’ve given us it all; yes, even wine, we’ve gotten wine as a gift. That’s not even to mention Teacher appreciation week; that week makes me gain five pounds alone. Why? Because daycare moms are the best moms. Duh.

Treats and kiddos aside, these moms have grown to know me in all other aspects of my life; they not only take an interest in my job, but in who I am outside, as well. Some attended my graduation party, or gave me graduation cards. And, when I moved off to college, they took interest in knowing where I was going and what I was going for; then it was cue the sad goodbyes and “we’re gonna miss you”s. They like me for who I am; and, that’s really important.

But, with all the smiles and joy working at a daycare brings, there’s another brutal honest truth that comes with it. With as much as I say “teacher life is the best life”, I still have my bad days. I’ll be honest: sometimes I feel like the world’s shittiest teacher. Maybe I had a bad day, or I was too tired or lazy to do much, maybe I wasn’t feeling my best. Maybe I felt I could of handled a situation differently and hung my head on it all day. Or, maybe I had a day that I just didn’t want to teacher. Some days suck; some days are tough; and, some days I feel like a shitty teacher. But, thank God for daycare moms who easily crumple those doubts. It’s crazy to think that I associate with these moms so much that they can just tell when I have a bad day; but, they can. They never fail to mention how much they appreciate me, or remind me that not everyone can do this job, not even them, but that I can. They let me know that they wouldn’t want anyone else to care for their kids, or remind me that it’ almost the weekend. Daycare moms are truly the best moms.

Through the many years that I have worked at a daycare, daycare moms have truly had an unexpected impact on my life. Their constant encouragement and up beat moods keep me coming back. They’ve boosted my self-confidence and make me feel as if I’m finally good at something I do. I love my kiddos, but I love my daycare moms, too. Daycare moms are the best moms. And you guys, ROCK.

Love, a grateful daycare teacher