For the first half of my life, I despised kids. I was a kid and no other kids got me, except my friends at summer camp. I loved summer camp so much that I applied to be a camp counselor. I went into the interview with selfish intentions–in hopes of having an entertaining summer. However, my opinions of kids quickly turned around. Being a camp counselor forced me to take other leadership roles with children. I became a big sister in the Big Brother Big Sisters program and became a great big sister. Now that I’m in college, I am a full-time summer nanny. So when asked me to recall my favorite experience with kids I realized that I don’t have just one, I have many. When working with kids, not only do you teach them, but also they teach you. Here are the things I learned from working with kids:

Never make promises that you can’t keep. Kids remember everything. If you promise them a sticker, they will expect one (if not 10). If you promise them you will wrestle later, you better prepare to be taken down. Well, maybe that is just me because I am weak. Regardless, the kids don’t let me forget it.

Practice patience. I asked the girl I nanny, “For what do we have to be patient?” She says she has to practice patience when going on car rides, waiting in line anywhere, waiting for technology to load, and sharing toys with her brother. On the other side (from my side) patience is important while explaining things to kids. For example, it is not okay to cry when you don’t get what you want. The boy shrugged when I asked him what he has to be patient for, if that also explains it. I have to remind them to be thankful, in turn reminding myself to be thankful.

Stay Young. This is possible by being creative and thinking outside the box. This is possible by talking about things other than boys, alcohol, and politics. It reminds us perspective is everything and everything is exciting.

Don’t have expectations. Every week, as a nanny, I plan on Mondays what the week will look like. Some day it ends up raining, other days the kids end up crying until they get their way. Basically, nothing goes as planned. Be flexible, and take life day to day.

Fall in love with as many things possible. Love sleeping in. Love the sound of your parents’ keys when they walk through the door. Love the feeling of rubbing your fingers on herb leaves to smell the herbs. Love the cool feeling of applying sunscreen on a flaming hot day. Love the sound of your sibling the last few sips of his/her drink. Love everything and everyone.

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Use your words (carefully) and actions speak louder than words. I have a “schooner” or “aquarium” or “fish tank” in my car. A young girl said to me “I know what you use that for!” And I replied with “Pop?” She could hear the questioning in the voice and replied, “TO GET DRUNK!” right in front of her younger brother. Needless to say, she was right, and could hear it in my voice when I denied it. From this, we conclude: 1. Clean your car, 2. Actions speak louder than words, so clean your car, and 3. Use your worlds carefully, and clean your car.

Set a good example and treat others how you wish to be treated. It was a Wednesday, also known as Hump Day or Opposite Day, spent with my “little sister” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. My little said to me, “Miss Teeny, you’re so pretty and your nose is beautiful.” Then she followed it up with, “HAPPY OPPOSITE DAY! You have a Jew nose!” I could have retaliated and said something unkind. Rather, I explained to her why that hurt my feelings. I said, “I can’t change the fact that I have a large nose, just like you can’t change the color of your skin.” From this moment on, she stopped commenting on my “Jew fro” and “Jew nose”. This helped to remind myself imperfection is okay. No one is perfect, except in their own way. For those of you not familiar: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.

Photo Courtesy of Spongebob.Wikia.com

Have strength when you’re weak. If you scrape your knee, stand up and put a Band-Aid on it. Get back up and do it again, with your courage and bravery.

Don’t bottle things up and ask for help. This is the most important lesson to take away. We have all seen those kids who get so upset they hide in their closet to cry, kick, and scream. Yes, it is normal for a three year old to throw a fit, and an eight year old, and sometime even a fifteen year old. However, it is also normal to ask for help. My parents let me throw my tantrums, but they let me know it is OK to ask for help and being an adult, we need to let kids know that is okay to ask for help. Teaching a kid at a young age to get help through family, friends, schools, and counselors helps immensely in the long run. It is normal to throw fits, and it is normal to seek mental health help. Even Urban Dictionary makes fun of everything in life, however, Urban Dictionary knows mental health is not a joke. It is normal. Check out http://www.urbandictionary.com/define, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory, and https://www.nami.org/Find-Support for more.

Photo courtesy of The Odyessy Online

In conclusion, life is beautiful. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

What are your favorite experiences with kids?