Do You Like Kids?

Recently I was gone for a few days on vacation.
I returned to cheers of: “Miss. Helen! You’re back!”
I had been gone 4 days over 2 weeks.  I was greated with cheers, multiple hugs, snuggles and lots of hand holding. My lap was full every minute of the day. It was nice to know I was missed, but more importantly they were showing me I was loved.

“I like it better when you are here,” one little guy said as he snuggled up.
“You do? I like it when you’re here too,” I told him.
“Yes, Miss.Helen, I do,  I know you like kids. You love us too.”
We shared a hug, “You know, I miss you guys when I am on

vacation.”
“Yes, that is what I like about this school.  All the teachers like kids, and come back to see us again.”

Wow, powerful words.
So, I ask you do you like kids?
In spite of the frustration, bureaucracy and day to day issues, do you like kids?
How do you show kids, you like them?
Do you let them know they are loved, all of them, not just the easy ones?

Another child joined us.
“I am glad you are back too.”
“Me to, do you know I miss you guys when I am not here?’
“Yes, we are special, little kids.  Everyone misses us when we are gone.”

Are you imparting to your students, these feelings?
Do they feel like special, little kids?

As the summer, begins to wrap up and the new school year looms closer ask yourself these questions?
Why do I do this job?
Do I like kids?
Do my kids, know I like them?
Be honest and real with yourself. If you can’t be honest with yourself, your children already know the answers, and probably you are both not very happy with where you are at in life, school, work, etc...

Do you like kids?  If your answer is NO or I DON’T KNOW what are you going to do about it?