Ever since I was a teenager I knew I had a passion for serving children. Yes, I was basically a child myself, but I would love to spend time with my baby cousins, I would love to build sand castles with the family's toddler beside us at the beach. I would go on mission trips to places like Kentucky with my church to invest in communities of children. I started babysitting in our neighborhood at the age of 15. I would help my grandmother grade her little first grader's spelling test and love to hear all the stories of her students. I remember sitting down at the kitchen table with my great grandfather when I was 14 and him asking me what I planned on being when I grow up and I told him, " I'm not really sure there are so many possibilities" and he responded, " Well whatever it is I bet it will be with children because you just gravitate towards them and they gravitate towards you." Well he was right. While I am slowly, but surely going through school to become a pediatric nurse I have had the chance to nanny/babysit for so many amazing families and I truly believe it is one of the best jobs ever!
1. Having fun is part of my job description.
Pool days, hide and seek, splash pads, parks, board games,aquariums, making forts, and movies-- this is a lot of what my days consist of! We go on make believe adventures with dinosaurs. We transform into detectives out to find the thieves and astronauts out to save our friends stuck on mars! Little brains can sure bring a rainy day to life! The mind of children continually astonishes me.
2. They soften my heart towards the world.
Some kids are shy some are outgoing. They are all so unique, but all so very caring in different ways. One of the sweet kids I've gotten to nanny will give a person he has known for a moment the biggest hug and smile there is and it will light up their day. He will ask their name and introduce them like it is his best friend. working with children it constantly reminds me to reach out to those around me with a big smile and open heart.
3. You become like part of the family in a sense.
The families I nanny/babysit invest in me and continually encourage me. They feed me. They ask me how life is and where I might need prayer. Half of my apartment is furnished because of the giving hearts of the families I've gotten to be a part of. They gift me with trust to invest in their children's life. They don't just pay me and call it a day by any means; they always make me aware of the care they have for, not only their children, but me as well.
4. It is preparing me for the family I will have one day.
Not only do I daily get amazing hands on experience of a little hint of what it will be like to be a mom one day, but I have a sea of wonderful examples of parents. I learn how to best handle different personalities because each child from 6 months to 9 years old is so beautifully unique. I have seen many different examples of parenting styles that I will utilize when I am a mom one day. I see parents who care for their child and daily pour into them again and again, even when it isn't easy. Sure children have their " tantrums", but we all do and it amazes me how they grow and learn how to handle their emotions.
I am so thankful I have a" job" that I will always cherish and learn from with families who constantly show me what it means to love. Thank you to all the children who have constantly brightened my day without realizing it and thank you to the families who have more of an impact on my life as than you will ever realize.
