Let me begin by saying that I am not a crazy cat lady who hates children. I prefer to think of myself as the cool aunt who would travel the world and bring exotic gifts to her nieces and nephews at Christmastime. In May, I began working at a daycare for my summer job. When I told my mom I would be working in childcare, she raised her eyebrows at me and said, "You aren't a kid person, Rach." I have nothing against the tiny humans of the world, but I prefer to be surrounded by adults who can carry out a conversation.
These days, the tiny people have won my heart over and I would spend all my days with them if I could.
When I applied to work at the daycare, I had to shadow a teacher so they would know if I was a good fit for the kids. I was thrown into a room with eight crazy toddlers. I've babysat before, but never children this little. Immediately, a pair of twins flocked to me. They both came up to me, hugged my legs, and held a book up for me to read to them. This was phase one of the little humans winning over my heart.
After I had processed the cuteness overload, reality set in. It isn't easy to manage eight tiny humans who think everything in the room is a toy.
They put corn in their nose when you aren't looking, play in the fish tank when you are changing diapers, and lick you when you don't give them enough attention. After being bitten on my first day, I was ready to throw in the towel. But something made me stay. Even though they push me to my limits, when those sweet babies come and lay their head in my lap and look up at me with their big eyes, I realize how innocent and pure-hearted they are and have so much life to experience.
I am grateful every day that I can inspire imagination for these kids and spark curiosity in their learning.
Before I worked at a daycare, kids were not my cup of tea. I was set on being the cool aunt. After spending 40 hours a week for 12 weeks with all of the kids at my daycare, I have reevaluated my plan. The kids I get the honor of spending every day with have taught me more than I could ever teach them. I have learned that they understand you more than you realize, a little patience goes a long way, and raising your voice to get your point across never works.
As I prepare to go back to college, I find myself missing these kids already. Although I'm not ready to have children of my own any time soon, the kids at my work have changed my thoughts on starting my own family one day. In two short weeks, I'll be in a different city readjusting to my college lifestyle, but a piece of my heart will remain at the daycare with all of my sweet kiddos.
