During the summer months when I am home from school, I work as a preschool teacher with my very own class. As a teacher, my day is certainly never boring. It consists of mess cleaning, tear wiping, handholding, song singing, and requires high energy, creativity, and a lot of patience. Working with young children changes the way you see the world. Children are truly amazing, and it is your job to teach them and help them grow. If you are a preschool teacher like me, you babysit or are a camp counselor; these 10 signs that you work with kids are bound to apply to you.

1. You find yourself using your “teacher voice” at home and use behavior techniques on your friends and family that you use on your kids.

You know that voice I’m talking about. That slow, clear, and precise voice that will make a child drop what they’re doing and listen to you (hopefully). After work, it’s hard to snap out of that teacher mode and you still speak like you’re the only adult in the room. You subconsciously use it with your friends and family, and unfortunately they don’t appreciate it. Yesterday I asked my mother if she had her “listening cap” on.

2. You talk about your kids non-stop, as if they were your own children.

Spending time with your class all day, you really form a bond with each child. You see their special qualities and really care about them. If one of “my kids” does something adorable, I definitely go home and tell my boyfriend about it. Does he care? Probably not.

3. Coffee is your lifeline and your drink of choice.

You owe everything to caffeine. Coffee is pretty much the only thing that can keep you awake and give you enough energy to keep order in your class.

4. Your hands are never stain-free.

And you will always have glitter on you. Paint, tie-dye, markers and sharpies will adorn your hands for the length of your career.

5. A mess does not faze you.

Kids are messy. And sometimes your job can be a bit gross. Teachers must’ve been warriors in their past lives because we witness some things that you will never un-see. No biggie, though, we know how to clean up like a pro. That brings me to my next point…

6. Cleanliness is important to you.

Hand sanitizer is liquid gold. You go through this stuff like water!

7. You are up to date on the newest kid movies and shows.

You know every song from every Disney movie, and are well versed on every children’s TV show out there. Don’t even get me started on Frozen. Frozen becomes your life when you start working with kids.

8. You use Pinterest religiously.

Pinterest is a teacher’s gift from God. So many ideas, so many play dough recipes….

9. You come home with songs stuck in your head.

These nursery school songs will forever be engrained into your mind. I’ve been singing the Bear Hunt song for months.

10. You watch your language.

Even when you’re with your adult friends, you continue to say things like “oh my goodness” or “that stinks." You are now the “goody-two-shoes” of the group.

11. You get excited over craft supplies and stickers.

Who knew that a new set of dot paints or a new sheet of stickers could get you this excited?

Although caring for kids may sometimes be messy, loud, germy, and tiring, it is the most rewarding job you will ever have. Your job is to make children happy and give them a memorable and positive experience. Although you’re the teacher, your kids teach you so much in return. Your time with them will truly change you in the ways listed above, and even on a deeper level. As a teacher, I have learned to become so much more patient and thoughtful. Everyone should have some experience working with children at some point in their lives.