Following-up my first year of college, I really felt the monetary need for a summer job. My past careers during high school were less than stellar, and I knew I needed to really make a point to go out and find a job that wouldn’t make me want to drive off a cliff after another pizza delivery. I think it’s safe for me to admit publicly that I’m not a fan of kids? They seem like a lot of work: so much energy for such tiny bodies, and there’s really no reasoning with them. So, naturally, I chose to work full time as a teacher’s aide to my elementary school’s summer program. As someone who’s never been a fan of kids, here are four things I’ve learned so far from them:

1. Acceptance. We, as adults, really just let ourselves get so worked up over social prejudices and opinions and whatnot. I’ve watched my kids interact with each other despite vast differences, and I think we need to promote that as they continue to grow! Of course we need to be careful as we go out and meet new people, but also I think we could use a little more childish love and be willing to talk to the other kids on the playground - even if they look or act a little different from us.

2. Politics. All that being said, I was three hours into my first day before I had to break up a political argument between two kids. The thing is, the argument wasn’t really anything different from the political arguments that I’ve heard on my college campus. It only reinforced my thought that we all need to make sure we’re informed and patient with others, even when they disagree with us.

3. Snacks. Snack time. This is a sacred event and should never be squandered.

4. Calling Out BS. One of my very favorite moments so far was when I was listening to a younger boy (11) talking with an older boy (13). The older boy had been rude and downright mean all day, and I had spoken to him multiple times about it - to no effect. The older boy was being rude again while he sat near the younger boy, but before I could say anything the younger boy turned and said, “You know what? You’re not being nice at all. I think you’d be a lot happier if you tried being nice.” He said it in such a quiet and calm manner, I almost didn’t hear him, but I could tell that it came from his heart and that there wasn’t anything malicious in his intent. I could tell by the scrunched expression on the older boy that he really took the advice in and thought about it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the advice as well. Like I said, I was never a big fan of children. But I try to show them patience and I’m finding that all they really want is someone to listen and show them love. I’ll laugh at their corny jokes and listen to them ramble on about their games, because in the end there is a lot we can learn from the kiddos.