I've always loved kids. I starting babysitting when I was about 11, I taught dance classes in high school, and now work at a day camp and after school program. I think kids are funny and when you can get along with, they are really great to know. While it's definitely rewarding to work with kids, it can be stressful and frustrating too. Here are some things you can relate to if you spend more of your time with kids rather than people your own age like me.
YOU BECOME A MASTER OF IDENTIFYING TATTLING
When a kid, or several kids, come up to me frantically or in tears, I know they're going to tattle. It'll go something like "So-and-so won't play with me and took my things!" I've gotten pretty good and identifying when kids are going to tattle. Unless someone is seriously injured, I tell them to work it out or stop them before it starts. "If you're going to tattle, just walk away", to which the kids just turn around and go back to playing.
YOU HATE BEING TAPPED
This is hands down my biggest pet peeve when it comes to working with kids. If I'm doing something and a kid needs my attention, they will tap my arm and won't stop until I give them my attention. This drives me nuts and I honestly have no idea why. I just can't stand the feeling of little fingers hitting my arm until I pay attention to them. A simple "excuse me, Miss Kyla" will work just fine.
YOU HAVE YOUR DESIGNATED KID SIDEKICK
We all have 'em. The kid that especially takes to you and will tell you anything and everything you want and need to know about the other kids. If the truth isn't being told, you can count on your sidekick to help get to the bottom of it. Your sidekick always helps you clean up and take attendance. They're sometimes more helpful than your co-workers!
YOU'RE IMMUNE TO CRYING KIDS
When a kids comes up to me sobbing, I just tell them to calm down and tell me what's wrong. If it's an injury, I toss them an ice pack and send them on their way. If it's a meltdown, I tell them to let me know when they're done before I talk to them. I know my kids well enough I know who the fakers are. The same kids who are always "injured" and are on the floor crying. I'm rarely phased by crying kids, because I see it every day and it's honestly for the dumbest of reasons sometimes. I always make sure they're okay, but when a basketball barely touches them and they're on the ground sobbing, I patiently wait their act to end, which it does.
I really do love working with kids, not matter how tiring it is. I love getting to know these kids and even though they're young, they're so smart and really interesting people. It's a really rewarding job and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
