For the past year, I have been working in a daycare center. It has been one of the best experiences of my life but also so tiring. My friends do not understand what it is like to work with 20 small children all day long from the time I go in (between 6:30 and eight in the morning) to when I leave (somewhere around five or six at night). It's exhausting, and nobody understands unless they work in one.
You wake up at the ass crack of dawn.
I may not go in until seven or eight, but I am still up at the ass crack of dawn. In fact, all of my coworkers are up around the same time as me. I don't know about you but I like to sleep—no I love to sleep—and waking up early is not something I want to do.
You have to "have" energy all day long.
The amount of times I have rolled into work half asleep are countless, but the second I walk into that classroom the energy has to be up. I could probably not sleep for three years and still walk into the classroom with the same energy I would have if I drank 20 coffees (and I don't drink coffee because I already have a lot of energy as it is). Those two year old's walk in like they have eaten candy all night, and one needs to have a lot of energy when dealing with it. Even if you don't have energy you have to pretend like you do. Fake it until you make it.
Your friends don't really understand what it's like.
Like most people in the world, your friends probably think that it's easy to work where you are. You don't have to deal with customers that don't give a crap about you. But you do watch a ton of kids that don't listen, have to do curriculum, set up lunch and nap, keep the room clean, and keep your sanity. I have gone out with friends after work and been exhausted and then heard them tell me that I really didn't know what hard work is.
20 small children count on you every day.
You have to go into the classroom every day because those kids count on you. It doesn't matter if you don't want to go or don't feel good. You go, regardless of weather, mood, or wellness (unless you're contagious then, don't go).
You're sick year round.
There is literally no day where you don't have something, whether it be a runny nose, cough, or headache. You're around children all day long and they carry literally every illness known to man. You're bound to be sick, and you'll be sick for a while.
It's the most rewarding thing you will ever do.
So what if you're exhausted for the rest of your life? You had the chance to shape some pretty important minds. These kids are the future, and I make sure that I give these kids the best experiences in the world. Whether they be six weeks (my favorite age group) or five years old, I make sure my kids are given the best experiences I can give them.
