Ever since I was a kindergarten student, I knew I wanted to work with people for the rest of my life. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I either replied “a dancer” (that ship has long sailed considering I’m the least flexible person I know) and “a teacher.” Even though that’s changed since studying at college, all of us education, child and family studies, and psychology majors know that there are few jobs as rewarding as working with kids. Yes, young children can be extremely disrespectful and difficult at times, but I firmly believe there’s no larger heartwarming feeling than seeing a wide smile on a child’s face. With every job comes pros and cons, but the pros of working with kids truly dominate the cons.

1. They look up to you.

This can be both good and bad. These children will remember everything you say, and if you curse or say something inappropriate, they will relay that word/ message to their parents. However, at the same time, there is no better feeling than a little kid telling you they want to be just like you when they grow up. They’ll make you feel important and appreciated by complementing your looks and style. If you choose let them in, you’ll realize that they have the ability to really squeeze their way into your heart.

2. You shape and sculpt their life early on without noticing it.

No matter if you’re babysitting, working as a camp counselor or teaching, spending hours on end with children can leave a great impact on them. They process everything you say to them, and they’ll start to imitate things you do (in a good way.)

3. You teach them manners and skills that they’ll need later in life, and even though they can object to the rules you lay on them, deep down, they appreciate it.

Let’s say a child gets into a little fight with another kid; it’s our job to tell them 1) not to use their hands and 2) to be nice to each other. Chances are these kids will forget the fight they had the day before by the time the following day rolls around. So, while we teach them the importance of being kind to each other, they teach us not to hold grudges against someone else. That rule applies to not holding a grudge against a friend, family member or significant other.

4. You’re depended on everyday.

No matter if it’s preparing the right foods to accommodate for food allergies, continuously replenishing your campers with water on a hot summer day, or tying a child’s shoe, they rely on you more than you normally realize.

5. You take on the parent role while the actual parents aren’t there.

Throughout the day, you serve as a child’s parent. Whether it’s picking a child up when they’re down, giving them wise words of encouragement, or playing with them and seeing huge smiles on their faces, these kids view you as a parent figure when their legitimate blood related parents aren’t there.

6. You’re sad to see them go at the end of the summer or school year.

While I have no teaching experience because I’m still an undergraduate student, I have plenty of experience as a camp counselor. This past summer was my fourth consecutive summer working as a counselor and I can honestly say having to face my campers on the last day and say goodbye to them never gets easier. Its easy to tell I’ve done something right when the thought of saying goodbye to my campers literally makes me cry. The bonds formed with these young children are truly unlike any others.