Don't fear the little ones

One of my most humiliating memories is when I was working with a mission trip as a teenager. One of the tasks was working with small children and I asked for a different a chore. I would rather spend the afternoon spreading soil than interacting with those scary, honest, little creatures.

I've spent the last 4 years teaching elementary school children, babysitting my sweet nieces, and nannying kids ages 1 month to 12 years. 

And I'm not the least bit less intimidated by those scary, honest, little creatures. 

God brought me to this life filled with these small, energetic, messy bundles. They terrify me to the core. If you're boring, they'll tell. If you don't meet their most basic needs, they die. The pressure, the terror, and the ultimate joy. 

When I wake up and realize I have to teach these 3rd graders, or remember I'm nannying for the day, the first feeling that passes through my body is complete and utter terror. Do parents realize what they're in trusting me with? I'm supposed to not only keep these kids safe, I'm supposed to entertain, nurture, and teach. I'd rather work at an office. 

But somehow, when I'm with these children, everything changes. Yes, absolutely, I get frustrated, and a little tired of playing the same games and watching the same television shows. I've learned ultimately though, that they aren't so difficult.

I ask a lot of questions, even the stupid ones, like "What's your favorite subject in school?" I smile til my cheekbones hurt. When they have a tantrum, I sit on the floor speaking calmly and saying on auto repeat "When you're ready to talk about what's going on, or just want a hug, I'm right here." I tell them stories from when I was a little ( a definite favorite) and make up stories about fairies and goblins. The days pass, somehow, and I leave feeling like I've actually accomplished something. I didn't build anything and I didn't make anything. Yet I kept these little souls alive and (mostly) smiling for the day. The complete and utter joy. 

I don't run away in fear anymore when I'm trapped in a small room with kiddos. I still get that tangled feeling in my insides when I see that 3 year old eyeing me. What if he doesn't like me? I've learned to keep little toys in my purse, and they come in handy when I'm stuck in a tire shop with a little kid who has absolutely nothing to do.

After all these years and all this experience, what have I learned it takes to make kids happy? It's not the toys I keep in my purse, or my clown smile, or my ready made no props games….it's talking to them. I have never ever ever in all my life talked to a child and had them reject me. Sure they could, but why would they? Another person taking interest in their life? Asking about their day, their likes, their dreams, who they want to be? Most kids will swallow that up, and I eat it up to. They think they can do anything, and I always leave them thinking that maybe I can do anything too.