I've worked in a daycare for about a year now, and even though I'm the "teacher," my kids have definitely taught me their fair share of lessons. These are just the first few things that come to mind when I think of all the things I've learned about kids over the past year.
1. Kids really do say the darnedest things.
Sometimes the things my kids say are so off the wall that I'm not sure how they ever came up with it. Just the other day, this boy was trying to push me off the slide because I was in his way. He tried with all of his might, but obviously he couldn't push me down the slide because he's only 4. Exhausted and breathing heavily, he said "Miss Ragen. What did you eat for breakfast this morning to get so heavy?!"
2. They're brutally honest.
"Miss Ragen. You can't do that because you're old." "I don't think you'll fit because you're too big." Lets just say if a kid says you're ugly, you know you're ugly.
3. Children will bring out the best in you.
Around kids, you can be your true self. You can take yourself back to a simpler time when swing sets and slides were the most important part of your day. Running around on the playground with those little ones are some of the happiest parts of my day.
4. They'll also bring out the worst in you.
When they're screaming and crying and won't stop whining, you just want to lay down on the floor and scream and cry with them. Your patience runs thin sometimes, but you keep your frustration under wraps because, after all, they are just kids.
5. I'm 20 times more prepared for motherhood.
I can change eight diapers in three minutes. I am so accustomed to wiping bottoms and noses that those things don't bother me anymore. I've dealt with busted lips, bleeding knees, and bruised faces so much in the past year that I feel like I know at least a little about what it will be like to be a mom.
6. Kids question everything.
"But why?" "Yeah but why?" "What is that?" "What are you talking about?" The curiosity that children possess is something that I think adults need a little bit more of. Don't just blindly follow and go throughout your day. Ask questions.
7. They'll make you laugh.
The other day, I had one of my little boys who was playing Ninja Turtles. With all his might, he screamed "COWMABUNJA DUDE." Even on my worst days, those babies know how to make me smile.
8. They really are just miniature adults.
One minute they're picking their noses and the next they're telling me they're "disappointed" in me because I wouldn't give them candy. The moments of sophistication makes you realize how few years separate childhood and adulthood.
9. Kids are stinkers.
One day one of the kids may not like me because I'm wearing green. One day they may be best friends with each other, but the next day they're fighting like cats and dogs. Kids have the potential to be mean little boogers.
10. A lot of kids don't know how to play outside anymore.
We have time to play in the gym with balls and other toys. So many of those kids can't throw or kick a ball. They either just grab a ball and hold it, or they sit on it. So many of my 2-4 year olds have tablets and other technologies that they barely even know how to play anymore.
11. They're tough.
I've seen kids take tumbles or hit their heads so hard that, if it was me, I would've laid out on the floor and cry. Instead of crying, they just stand up and laugh it off. Sure, kids can be fragile in some situations. But, I'm here to tell you they're much tougher than we give them credit for.
12. There is nothing more special than the love of a child.
Nothing warms my heart faster than hearing my kids laugh or having them come give me a hug at some random point during the day. Those eight 2-year-old children are the sunshine of my days. I am a lot of things in life, but my favorite thing that I am is "Miss Ragen" to those sweet babies.
