Nicole is five, and life at five can be confusing. Before leaving for school she said, "Grandpa, I love when you don't tease me." Usually he is like an aggravating boy, "Give me that pancake, I'll eat it all gone. That's MY pancake."
"NO! It's mine. Nana, Grandpa's teasing me again." And that's how most mornings go.
But for some reason he was sweet and lovey-dovey, "How's my little girl?" And she was thrilled with him.
On the way to school she asked, "Is Grandpa going to be there when we get home after school, or will he be at work?"
I said, "He doesn't go to work anymore. He's retired."
She said, "I was REtired yesterday, whew, I was so REEEEtired! My dad's not retired, but he must have got fired for not doing a good job, because he doesn't work there anymore, now he works on pumps. I wish he could find our pool pump."
"Your daddy didn't get fired. The Ford plant went out of business."
"Oh yeah, that's right, my daddy got HIRED, not fired, but mom says he doesn't do a very good job, so I think he might have got fired."
"Hey, Nicole, look at that dog over there!"
Now multiply that conversation by 14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by 12 on M-W-F. I am a preschool teacher, and I still love my job. But I find myself feeling Reeealtired some days.
"NO! It's mine. Nana, Grandpa's teasing me again." And that's how most mornings go.
But for some reason he was sweet and lovey-dovey, "How's my little girl?" And she was thrilled with him.
On the way to school she asked, "Is Grandpa going to be there when we get home after school, or will he be at work?"
I said, "He doesn't go to work anymore. He's retired."
She said, "I was REtired yesterday, whew, I was so REEEEtired! My dad's not retired, but he must have got fired for not doing a good job, because he doesn't work there anymore, now he works on pumps. I wish he could find our pool pump."
"Your daddy didn't get fired. The Ford plant went out of business."
"Oh yeah, that's right, my daddy got HIRED, not fired, but mom says he doesn't do a very good job, so I think he might have got fired."
"Hey, Nicole, look at that dog over there!"
Now multiply that conversation by 14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by 12 on M-W-F. I am a preschool teacher, and I still love my job. But I find myself feeling Reeealtired some days.
9 comments:
Ha, ha! Kudos to you for being able to keep up with a 5-year-old! Actually, since you're a pre-K teacher . . . holy smoke. No wonder you're Reeeealtired! You've earned a nap. :)
Loved this post! That age group can be so reeetired!! I can still remember when I was at home with my youngest and she was about 3 and a real chatterbox. I used to be exhausted by lunchtime!!!!
Linda--Someone would have to hold a gun to my head before I would teach pre-K kids. I'm bowing down in your direction--can you see me doing it?
Reeealy, it's great that every teacher has their niche. I love working with my students, you love your little ones, and there are even strange super-humans who choose to work with middle-schoolers.
Now that I think about it, all of us (teachers) need a hefty raise...
Know you enjoy your work and that is great. But summer rest is coming and know you will enjoy it as well...to recharge your batteries. Enjoy it all while you can...glad your stamina is still there!
Five year olds are too smart for me too these days maybe you get out of the loop, no grandchildren and not a lot of contact with small children.
Merle..........
I find myself that way too sometimes. sandie
Oh my! I think I'd feel a little dizzy! Haha! More power to you for being able to be a teacher. I admire you very much, but wouldn't want to do your job. We are lucky to have you and those like you who do so well with working with kids. :-)
Ha ha ha haha Out of the mouths of babes, Linda. So does the little one live with you and your hubs? You said "every morning."
Thanks for all your faithful visits and comments, too. Susan
LOL! It's good you have lots of experience with kids.
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