If you’ve ever been responsible for watching over kids, you’ll know that they just say and do the darndest things. Whether you were a camp counselor, had experience babysitting your younger siblings, worked at a daycare, or taught Timbits soccer – you know exactly what I’m talking about (#DaddyDayCare anyone?). While some of them may be total angels, others may occasionally drive you up the wall pulling your hair out in frustration.
I work at a summer sports camp and can honestly say that my “kidlets” have taught me more life skills than I give them credit for.
1. Responsibility.
When it comes to taking care of someone else’s kids, it is truly up to you to be on the lookout for their safety, since their parents are trusting you to ensure the health and wellbeing of their precious loved ones (#nopressure or anything). This usually involves a lot of repetitive phrases. (So how many times did we say “No throwing rocks!” and “Make sure to put on sunscreen!” today? Good question.)
2. Patience.
Something that comes hand in hand with responsibility is having the patience to repeat something you’ve already said goodness knows how many times and still being positive about it (although sometimes a passive aggressive tone manages to creep in).
Example 1: Running after campers aka “your kids” all day like:
“No climbing the statue!” “Please get off the statue!” *falls off statue* “Are you alright? Please don’t cry. Remember when we told you not to climb the statue because you could get hurt?”
Example 2:
“What do you mean you didn’t bring money for pizza day?”
“I forgot.”
“I know it can be hard to remember, we only reminded you ten times yesterday, as well as right before you got picked up.”
3. How to: Chitchat.
Whether it be talking to their parents at the end of the day or trying to encourage someone really shy to participate in games, your small talk, people-friendly voice is now so on point. How did little Joe do today? Oh, he was great, we all did some arts and crafts before lunch and it looked like he was really enjoying himself participating in games. After a whole summer of working with these little humans, I’m sure you can now babble on about favorite colours and housepets like a pro.
4. Be fair.
Kids appreciate it when games are fair. If it looks like you’re playing favourites, that’s pretty uncool. Just like in the real world, fairness is appreciated, whether it be in group projects or with co-workers. People like to be treated with respect – as they say, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
5. Say you’re sorry.
If you’ve done something you shouldn’t, own up to it. If you made a mistake, apologize. Always choose to be the bigger person. These are simple things we try to remind our kids of and inadvertently through repetition, remind ourselves to also adhere to.
6. Give people a second chance.
If someone has made a mistake and apologized for it, give them another chance. If you were in their shoes, you would appreciate a fresh start. *Disclaimer: In some rare cases, there really is nothing else to do except call the parents and tell them to please not bring their little monster back again.*
7. Have fun!
Being around kids reminds me not to take myself too seriously and appreciate the little things around you (like how that cloud is shaped like a heart or the pure joy of jumping into the water on a hot day).
Although working with kids has its ups and downs, overall it has truly reminded me to see the world from a different perspective. Whether it be from their ability to be amused by what has become mundane to me, from their inspiring creativity or resilience, kids make my work both fun and rewarding.