The Reason I Babysit | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Reason I Babysit

Being a babysitter isn't the easiest job, but being a babysitter has taught me so much about the world and myself.

85
The Reason I Babysit
StockSnap on PixaBay

When I tell people that I babysit, they picture me making up stories of how Barbie and Ken met in their Barbie playhouse. They picture me sitting at a table blissfully coloring stick-figures and indulging on bowls of mac and cheese and Pop Tarts, sticking to the all-carb diet of childhood like a professional.

And yes, I do all of those things—but babysitting also means that I rock the child back to sleep who woke up from a bad dream. Babysitting means that I stay with the child in their room when it is dark, and they are scared. Babysitting means that I wipe away tears and replace them with smiles.

Being a babysitter isn't the easiest job, but being a babysitter has taught me so much about the world, and myself.

Some of the most innocent concepts of this world, such as peace, equality and happiness are best understood, demonstrated and taught by children.

In a time of my life where I was hitting the 6 a.m. grind to get to school, learning who to trust in my friend group and struggling to survive in a world that will eat you alive regardless of your college degree or who you are as a person, I had started to lose hope in the world.

Sure, there are those cute stories on Tumblr and other social media of the do-gooders and the Mother Theresas out there who generously give time, money and love on a daily basis, but one look at the headlines had me convinced that goodness was few and far between.

Once I started babysitting, I saw the hope I needed to see. I saw the child who wanted to give her toys away to the children who didn't have any. I saw the child who wanted to make a doll for those with open-heart surgery scars so they wouldn't feel alone. I saw the siblings who wanted to tell the world about Jesus.

I saw kids who didn't know what racism was, didn't understand what hearing on the news that someone was sexually assaulted meant and didn't understand how gender could be perceived as something negative in our world full of gender differences.

Being a babysitter has made me want to be a change in the world in order to give the kids I babysit a better future. Babysitting has shown me the innocent beginning of a life and has given me the incentive to protect that sweet life at all costs.

To all the parents I babysit for: thank you for letting me impact your child's life, and for letting them impact mine.

To the kids I babysit for: keep dreaming, because the world needs more people in the world who believe they can change it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

The Unwritten Rules Of "Talking"

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

7264
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774925
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

2144
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments