| 8:09a |
One Year at My Job
I just randomly happened upon a post I wrote last February, the 8th, about my "new job" (a.k.a. Bright Horizons). It is so amazing to see how far I've come in a year, the way my confidence has been boosted, my patience has been formed, and overall, how much experience I've collected.
I wrote that babies were not my expertise. It's so fascinating that before I started my job at B.H. I had only ever made a bottle once or twice before. I knew it was one scoop for every two ounces because I learned that at the other daycare, but I had no idea how warm a bottle should be. Now, I run around my classroom like I own it-- like I've been doing this sort of stuff for years.
I cannot say that I am absolutely in love with my job, however, it has gotten better since those days I wrote about a year ago. There are still incredibly stressful moments, especially whenever we receive a whole bunch of new kids, like we recently did, but things are already starting to fall into place. I love my co-worker, and I have friends at work. The children, of course, I adore, and guess what? They are soothed by me and love me as well.
In a year, I have made the classroom a more manageable place. It is as organized as an infant classroom can be. We come up with awesome lesson plans and activities to do with the children, we make up silly songs and do circle-time and I have a bunch of children I babysit for now on weekends (of which the Leite girls never became one of them, oh well).
One of the best compliments I ever received on the job was from Liam's mother, and Liam was only part-time, which made me wonder how much more enthusiastic she would feel if he was there every day with me. She said to me during our parent-teacher conference: "I knew from the minute I met you that there was something special about you," complimenting me on my warmth, creativity, and passion with the children. For some reason she thought I was extraordinary. This compliment, albeit incredible, has also made me feel a tad guilty, because I don't feel as extraordinary and she thinks I am.
Jackson's parents reconfirm all the time that I am the best babysitter that they've ever had-- They were scared to go out in the past, and purposefully didn't, because of a bad experience with a babysitter, where Jackson screamed, literally, for the entire duration of their absence. He doesn't even make a peep when his parents leave now. And boy, do I love spending time with that child.
It's weird, how even though I felt like I was in foreign territory I pushed myself through it by remaining optimistic. Did I have confidence that I would be where I am today? Did I just KNOW that everything would be alright?
I think I did.
And it is.
This is not the end of the road for me-- I have many other journeys I'd like to pursue. I want to try teaching Montessori. I'd love to be a Lead Teacher or Director of a daycare. And maybe, someday I will enjoy being a Stay-at-home Mom. Each one will be a new and scary experience, but I know myself well enough by now to understand that whatever adversity or new challenge comes my way, I am prepared. |