Someone once said, ~Teaching children responsibility requires wisdom and perseverance. Styles of leadership are as different as each child. Parenting kids starts with simple life lessons and short time frames. There will probably be fear, complaining, and a lack of effort. As kids mature, they take on expanded assignments and handle increased accountability and interaction with others. Eventually, children learn to exercise self motivation as they see the needs around them. Embracing challenges and problems is a start towards taking o n the role of a leader. Thoughtful and persistent involvement is needed to encourage children along the path. Without a doubt, working with kids/youth is most definitely a challenge and I should know as I've spent a better part of 12 years in the childcare profession.
As I said before, I've spent a better part of 12 years working with kids and whether you're a teacher or work in the childcare profession I can safely say they can truly be unpredictable, which is an assessment many of you quite possibly agree with. For it can certainly be an interesting and not to mention oftentimes bizarre situation indeed concerning the things said and done by kids to the point where you have to do an all out double take just to know what one witnessed or heard actually happened. It just befuddles the mind the seemingly bold/fearless actions and the words coming out of a kid's mouths today that if we said or did it back in the day in front of/to any adult our parents would beat the living snot out of each one of us for being totally disrespectful.
If you think about it, today's generation of kids are considered more outspoken, so much so they speak their minds no matter the consequences causing you to wonder if they talk like that to their own parents? Yet, it's not so much the how but rather the way you're being spoken to inevitably leading you or more importantly me with the kids I work with now to do the following 4 things: Raise my eyebrows, step back, stare them down, and firmly state as calm as can be the words excuse me. The eye/neck roll, non caring shoulder shrug combined with the lip smack are so annoying and irritating to me every time I ask "my kids"...mainly the girls...why they are in trouble. Let me tell you something, I know one day they are going to do it to the wrong person and they're either going to end up beat down, shot, stabbed, or far worse...dead.
Let me ask this question to those who are teachers and/or work in the child care profession, what is the most memorable thing a child has done that you’re simply speechless and shaking your head in absolute disbelief? Truth be told, you can't just name one specific situation in the past or recently mind you but they can be ranked from "standing there hanging your head in embarrassment" to the "see I told you so" moments. Personally speaking, I've had more of the hanging head because of embarrassing moments in the past 4 months because when it comes to "my kids" they will cross the line and don't even care that they do. Hey, they may be frustrating to no end making what hair I have left go entirely gray but I know they will eventually smarten up if because the real world is more cruel and meaner than I am.
A friend once asked me if you complain about "your kids" constantly not listening and disrespecting you then why do you keep going back to work? My usual go to answer would always be because I'm crazy and I'm a glutton for mental punishment. However, I would quickly follow it up with it because I enjoy the challenge it involves and the added benefit to it is I get to see many of them grow up into fine young men/women who I consider to be a quintessentially big brother too. Thinking about it, those same kids I continue to keep in contact with and are friends of mine on Facebook. Ultimately, you're rewarded with a long lasting friendship and that my friend is worthwhile. Granted, "my kids" now are wild bulls that are gradually being tamed and it will take vast amounts of time and patience but in the end, all I got to say is when you're around them expect the unexpected.
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