Its snowing! On my blog, where I like it, not on the street, where I hate it, because I’m pretty sure George (my ’98 Buick) isn’t going to roll through the white stuff like Betsy did.
I haven’t posted in some time, mostly because I’m never quite sure what to post…I come up with a topic but then can’t seem to get more than a few words on it. Also, a lot of the stuff happening in my life right now is more personal, so I don’t want to put it all over the internet. Y’all don’t need to hear about my family, or my boyfriend, or my job.
Oh, wait. My job.
The other night we had a staff meeting, which for some reason, really renewed my good feelings about working in child care. I may have long days and say I’m tired and sick of it all, but that’s never the truth. The truth is there simply isn’t anything else I would rather be doing. Today, for example, I woke up with a serious case of the grumpypants. I also feel like I’m getting a cold, and wasn’t really in the mood to go to work. But as soon as I got to school I felt better, because I remembered something my boss had said at the staff meeting. People who work in an office or retail or in a cube on a phone don’t get to come to work and immediately get a hug. If those people had someone hug them everyday, they would consider that odd. If no one hugged me all day, I would consider that odd. The other day I got 3 hugs before I got my coat off. Trust me, that makes the workday far more bearable.
And what about all the things I like that the “average adult” has outgrown? Cartoons. I love cartoons, and I can talk about them all the time. I get to show my favorite books off. I get to play dress up and play-doh. I get to do crafts and sing songs and dance around like an idiot. And, I GET PAID for this.
I’ve worked in child care for many years, but I really haven’t loved it like I do right now. Maybe it’s the kids, maybe it’s my coworkers, maybe it’s the fact that everyday I go in and try to be better than the day before. Sure, I still have those days when I don’t want to get out of bed, and those days where the clock seems broken and the minutes flow like molasses, but I don’t ever NOT want to do it. I find myself actually sad when I’m out sick, or I have the day off. I feel like I’m missing out on some new story or adventure…even though I always hear about it the next day.
My boyfriend has 4 kids, each of whom I adore for different reasons, none of which is simply because they are their fathers child…I see in them personalities that are varied and special. People often make a face when I say he has so many children (not necessarily a bad face, mind you; more of a “holy crap, really?!” kind of face.) I have never had a problem with it. Kids don’t scare me. I remember when I was looking for a job, and interviewers kept asking why I wanted to work in child care. My best response is that I “get” kids. I understand their needs, and their priorities. Yes, for reasons adults cannot fathom, stickers are more important than good hygiene. And I know how to use a sticker to get someone to learn to wash their hands.
There have always been children in my life, you see. My sister, Bernie, was born when I was 13. At that time, I was tutoring 1st graders in reading, and helping my mom teach 2nd graders religious education. Later, I started teaching my own religious ed class up until I was in my 20s. For years, I have babysat all my friend’s and family’s kids, and I also played a big part in my goddaughters first few years of life (not to mention the major role I’ve played in Bernie’s life for the past 15 years.) I worked at Baker Victory for a couple of years, with a variety of kids, and then at a day care, and now at another day care. And at each of these jobs I learned a lot more than I knew before them. And I’m still learning, everyday. Children have taught me more than any school or book have.
I don’t have any of my own, and am still not sure I want them. Perhaps one, someday. But until then, I am all set. I already have a ton of kids…I seem them everyday at work. I get to teach them the alphabet and wipe their noses and listen to their stories and kiss their boo boos. And I love every moment of it.
I know I’m a strange person sometimes. I would rather dance down a hallway than walk it, or have ice cream for breakfast instead of raisin bran. And perhaps that’s why kids are my passion…they would rather do that, also.
See, it’s not just that I “get” kids. I’m pretty sure they get me, too.
This is pretty much how we roll.
