I’m Learning How to be a Parent in My Teens

I’ll be prepared when I’m an actual parent.

My parenting skills rock!

First of all, they don’t rock, but they’re not horrible either. Second, I’m not a parent yet.

But I’ve been learning how to be for the past seven years.

Since 2014, I have served as a day camp counselor at my local park district back home in Taylorville, Illinois. Some might call it a drag and one of the worst jobs on the planet.

I call it the best job in the world. It’s taught me how to be a parent before age 21, and I have yet to have children of my own.

Kids Are a Handful

If you’re a parent, then you know this all too well. Taking care of kids can be quite the hassle, but if you truly love it, it’s all worth it in the end.

At day camp, there always seems to be an issue with one of four kids. They’re not sharing the Legos. She pushed me down. He’s got chocolate smudged on his shirt. She has a bloody nose.

Kids are quick to complain about their issues, much like some adults, and they don’t stop whining until it’s resolved. Working at a day camp has taught me taking care of kids is a handful, but they can be fun too.

At the end of the day, they’re learning how to be humans in society while also enjoying their childhood. Of course, they’re going to run into issues. But don’t we all throughout our lives?

Kids may stress you out and wish you didn’t have them, but when it all comes down to it, you can’t replace their innocent faces and childish behavior.

They are kids, after all.

Kids Are Fun Too

I don’t regret anytime I spent being a day camp counselor because every day was an adventure. And it was because the kids made it fun.

All they want to do is play, laugh, and have a good time. They inspire me to do the same alongside them.

Whether it’s kickball or hiking through the woods, making art with chalk, or a diving board competition at the pool, kids always know when to have fun.

And that’s all the time.

They have no worries in the world. They’re just happy where they are.

Most of the time, I aspire to be just like them.

Kids Teach the Power of Staying True to Yourself

At the end of the day, kids don’t care about what others think of them. And it’s the most important lesson of all.

Their hair is messy. They wear dirt on their clothes. They laugh and talk like no one watching them.

They don’t care what anyone thinks of them. They stay true to themselves all the time.

That’s what I should do too. That’s what everyone should do.

No one is gonna be us, so we might as well do it ourselves. Kids teach me this every day.

And I couldn’t be more grateful.

Closing Thoughts

Not everyone can say they love the job that puts them through high school and college. But I can.

I’ve loved every minute of working as a day camp counselor. It’s one of the best jobs in the world.