We work with children. All types of challenges and mini-adventures arise daily. We, of course, take them with stride. Here is a list of things that every employee has definitely said several times in their day.

1. What is in your mouth?

You know the moment: you let your eyes wander for three seconds and then all of the sudden, there is something unidentified in a child’s mouth. Where did it come from? The mystery has yet to be solved.

2. Why are you putting that in your mouth?

Once you figure out what is in that mouth, you need to know just why did they put that unidentified object in their mouth. And yes, this applies all the way until school age kiddos.

3. Can you please go wash your hands?

I can’t even begin to explain how many times I have to ask children to wash their hands. Anytime I see their hands near their mouths, I just assume they were already in their mouths. To the sink they go.

4. No, I do not want your used tissue, please put it in the trash can.

After I ask them to blow their nose, they seemed to have forgotten to put their tissue in the trash, and I have now taken on the role of the walking trash can as well as their teacher.

5. Now please go wash your hands.

And of course, asking to wash those hands once again.

6. Wait, what did you say?

You know they asked you something. You know it is, of course, something of the utmost importance. But...what?

7. Hold on can you repeat that one more time for me, my friend?

They’re trying to answer your question, but again you just cannot figure out what they are trying to say to you. Sometimes, just say, “yes of course, honey” and chalk that up as a loss.

8. Okay, friends, let’s find our spots on the carpet!

When things just get a little...rough...and you just ask to gather on the carpet and have a classroom meeting. This may be to gather the children, but also a chance for you to gather yourself and get your life back on track.

9. What are you doing?

For that time when your friend is just doing something so completely unexplainable, they don't even have an answer for you.

10. Wait, what am I doing?

You walked to the back of your classroom to grab something, but then there happened to be six roadblocks from point A to point B, so you have zero clue why you ventured back there in the first place.

11. One-Two-Three Eyes-On-Me

There has to be some way to gather the attention of twenty children at one time. This one seems to work most consistently. Plus they get the opportunity to yell at a teacher on command.

12. No, I do not know why he took your truck. Let’s go find out.

You are always put in the middle of preschool drama, toddler debates, and elementary pettiness. You are the master negotiator. To you, the drama may seem meaningless and of little importance, but that truck was the basis of their entire day. They NEED your help.

13. Aw, I love you, too, honey, thank you.

When those kiddos declare their love for you, you are obligated to say it back. Because you mean more to them than you realize. When they spend most of their day around you, their teacher, a bond should be forming. You should be building that relationship with them, and teach them how to create strong and meaningful relationships with others. The best way to do so is to model it.

14. Yes, I love your pretty dress when you spin around.

Come springtime, those girls (and possibly boys) in the pretty dresses will ask you to watch as they spin. I always spend the four seconds watching the dress and telling them they look like princesses.

15. I love my job.

No matter how crazy and chaotic this job may seem, you wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. You know you are making a difference in the lives of these young children, and that’s why you do it.

This list is never-ending. And you add something new to it everyday. But at the end of the day, you always end up loving your job, and feel excited to wake up and do it all again the next day.