As a preschool teacher and daycare educator I can work (over the course of a day) with approximately 70 different children. That adds to to a lot of different personalities! Do I get tired of kids? You know what? No – not really. I know it sounds crazy, but I find something funny and amazing and I learn something new, every single day. I have one little boy named Riley who drops by my classroom every morning to say hello and show me what he brought for Show and Tell…. I’m not kidding you when I say that my heart soars at that first hello. While I love all of my “kids” there are a few over the years that I have absolutely fallen in love with. He is 4 going on 54 – funny and wise and most certainly sharper than most adults. I would love to see where he lands as a grown-up. Michael and Julian keep me laughing with their completely off-topic commentaries. Then there is Sadie with her sweet (and in the purest sense of that word) sensibilities…and the list could go on.
I remember most of my children from over the years but there are always those few that stand out. Perhaps you bonded with them over separation anxiety issues, maybe it was humor, or adventure….or maybe you just fell in love with them. I feel that I could have had six kids of my own – after three however, my husband was more than happy to see me work in pre-school. I think of “my kids” even when I am not at work (my youngest likes to remind me that they are not my real children!) especially when I see something that I think one of them would enjoy.
I don’t think parents out there realize what a gift their children are. Yes, of course to themselves, but also to those of who work in this field. The keep us young and informed -always in a state of wonder and magic – but perhaps most of all they keep us laughing and loving.
