I have been babysitting the same kids since they were all very young, one of them was even born during my time as their babysitter. It is so crazy to look back at how long I have been with them, and how much I have seen them grow. That goes the same for my job as being a camp counselor too. I have always been a counselor for the younger kids, and every year I see them grow into the amazing kids that they are!
There is something about working with children that teaches you a great amount in life. I think that the most important thing it has taught me was how to be patient. Extremely, extremely, patient. There were/are many times where I have zero patience and just want to walk away from the kids and let them do what they want. However, I learned how to control that anger or frustration, and turn it into patience and being more calm. When you do that, the more rewarding it feels. That goes for everything in life, fights with friends, school, parents, etc.
Being around children also taught me how to work through problems in a more mature way. When two kids are fighting, they are going to go about it how they want to, whether that be physical, calling each names, telling other people rude things, etc. As teenagers or adults, we also do these things and can act this way too, even if we don't realize it. However, when witnessing this a lot, I learned to help children solve their problems in more calm and collective ways. Like talking things out with each other, or learning how to share, learning how to listen to one another, making them laugh about it, etc. Showing these children how to overcome their problems has helped me deal with my own problems in the same way.
Being with kids often or every day has also shown me what it could be like in the future, when it is time to start a family of my own. I say this because most people want to have children, including myself, but we will never know what it's like until that actually happens. Working with children, babysitting, being a camp counselor, even spending time with younger family members, etc, is the closest (but not even that close) you will get until that time. Being with children might also make you realize that you do not want children of your own. Not saying that you need to think about that part of your life now.. because that could be really far from now! However, either way, it could help guide you for your potential future. From doing this myself, I have learned that it is not easy. It takes a lot to be with children everyday and it will definitely test you, but I would like to say that it has definitely helped to prepare me a little for the future. Experience working with children also looks great in any career, because, well, they are the future!
Lastly, working with children and connecting with them has allowed me to reconnect with the kid in myself as well. I will always be a kid at heart, and they bring out the best in me. I love watching iCarly or Teen Titans Go with the kids I babysit, and I have so much fun playing UNO and watching princess and disney movies on rainy days with the kids at my camp. It has allowed me to relive the memories of when I was young, you know, the easier times!
I believe that everyone should be around children in one way or another before we get older, even if you say that you "don't like children". It is a very rewarding feeling knowing that you are a reason a kid is so happy or is having a great day. I know they can be a lot to handle and are a hassle at times, but they are not much different than we are. I think that we learn more from them about ourselves and life than what they learn from us.
