I have a job working with kids. I work with 50+ of them every week. It is exhausting at times, but so joyful. They are adorable little creatures that will teach you so much about yourself. They also make me want to rip my hair out sometimes. I have always wanted to have kids. As a young college student with no kids, working with children has made me completely rethink the whole having kids thing. But in the end, their smiling faces and playful personalities always brighten my day.

Like everyone else, I love getting compliments. However, I think the best compliments come from kids. Maybe it's that you know that they say whatever is on their mind; even if it is completely inappropriate or dumb, and when they say something nice about you it makes you feel really special. Kids can be really mean. When my kids come running to hug me and say "You are one of my favorite counselors!" my heart melts. Or when they say "You look really pretty today!" it means a lot, and definitely makes my day. On the other hand, I love getting to love on them by giving them compliments. I love seeing their smile when I say "I love your outfit!" or "You did such an awesome job on your homework today!" or "You are the sweetest!" I hope and pray that my words will make them feel that they are loved and so awesome.

Kids are so fun to talk to. They have a humor like no other. My favorite is when they think they are being completely rational and logical, but what they are saying is actually hilarious in adult world. They can also be extremely dramatic, which is also funny at times. One of my first graders told me that his homework is "ruining his life." You have no idea buddy, you have no idea.

Children logic. Sometimes I really wonder how they come up with things. Kids think it is OK for them to cheat in games, but it is totally not acceptable for anyone else to cheat. They think that if they do something nice for you then they should get an incentive, like candy. I'm gonna do them a favor and not give them candy every time they do something nice, because the world doesn't work that way and they shouldn't want to do something nice just because they will get candy. One kid worked really hard all day one Saturday doing chores to earn money, so that he could go to Target and get a toy that he wanted. When he got to Target the next day, there was a homeless man sitting outside. He gave all of the money he earned to this man. This makes my heart so happy every time I think about it.

Its crazy how these tiny humans teach you so much about yourself. For one thing, they have taught me that I need to work on my patience. Working with kids requires a level of patience that most people don't have, but once you start working with them you don't have much of a choice other than being patient. Extremely patient. Sometimes, when you are trying to tell them to do something for their own well being they will refuse to say anything to you until you threaten time out. Helping them complete homework assignments is a biggie in the patience department. Another thing I have learned from them is learning to love all kinds of different people. Working with so many of them means that they come from all different kinds of families. Some of them are way different than most people I am used to seeing on a regular basis. This is a good thing. I love learning about different, new-to-me things from them. I also love that I am consciously making a difference in a child's life that normally I would not have had any contact with.

I have a passion for working with kids, and I wouldn't trade that for the world. They are one of my favorite things on this planet. I love each and every one that I work with and I miss them when I don't see them for a couple of days. They are so awesome. Working with kids makes me think of my childhood, and how thankful I am for it and everyone in it. Its a bittersweet thought that they won't be kids for much longer; so if you work with kids or have kids of your own, cherish them and love them the best you can. I don't know what is a better feeling, knowing that they will make a difference in the world, or knowing that you made a difference in their life.