My Best AND Worst Job

Stepping Stones Daycare

By Jillian Cordova

Despite only having one real job my entire life, I can say with confidence that working at a daycare is perhaps the best and worst job. During my two years at Stepping Stones Daycare, I learned skills that changed the way I viewed not only children, but my own life as well. I gained knowledge that will greatly help me as a mother, and also acquired patience, understanding, and the meaning of true love. I have had other odd jobs throughout the years, but none has affected me quite as much as working at a daycare. Many people classify jobs as either bad or good, but I feel this job was both. For that, I am forever grateful.

Never in my life did I think that I, of all people, would work with kids. I had always said that I did not like children and would not have any of my own. In September 2008, these perceptions would greatly change. After being pressured by my father to get a job for some time, I finally applied at the daycare after my child development teacher said there was an opening. I took child development to fulfill my high school electives and never thought it would provide employment opportunities. I had attended Stepping Stones when I was little; I was cared for by Suzi Fosheim, who was now the director. Because of my history with her, it was fairly simple to get the job. I had never had any experience with kids, not even babysitting, but for some reason my new boss had faith that I could do it.

Shortly after getting the job, I was thrust into the world of tantrums, soiled diapers, illnesses, and picky eaters. Because I had never done any of it, it was sometimes overwhelming to deal with the toddlers and babies I was asked to help care for. One of the more difficult experiences was taught to me by my co-worker, Delila. We had been watching a group of one and two-year-olds outside, when she asked me if I was ready to change my first diaper. It was essential that I learn how, so I agreed. To my dismay, the little girl to whom I was assigned had completely soiled her diaper. I took her inside to the main building, grabbed a clean diaper and wipes, and headed to the changing room.

As soon as I removed her clothes, my nostrils became aware of the most disgusting odor I had ever smelled. I tried not to gag, but it was terrible. To make matters worse, the little girl started fussing and moving around; she apparently did not like me too much. By now, I had started to panic. I did not know what to do, and I did not want to have to ask Delila. I felt my pride was in jeopardy. I turned my nose and started to wipe and wipe for what seemed like an eternity, until finally, she was clean. This goal accomplished, I had to actually put the diaper on her. The first time I put it on backwards. The second time I was right, but could not get the tabs to stay because she was moving too much. Finally, and a good fifteen minutes later, I had finished my first diaper change.

Once that was finally mastered, I learned to fill bottles, feeding, being puked on, tantrums, back-talking, naptime, and many other firsts that, at times, knocked me off my feet. I tried to take them all in stride, because as time went on I grew to love and appreciate children much more than I ever had. They are full of life and happiness, and view the world in such a simple, yet poignant way. I once heard the quote, “Know what it is to be a child . . . To see a world in a grain of sand/ And heaven in a wild flower/Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand/ And Eternity in an hour”, and it touched me because of the truth it possesses.

Children are amazed by things we view insignificant; their minds are free from the garbage that inhabits ours and most of all, they think anything and everything is possible.I remember the first time I held and fed a newborn baby. His skin was soft, and his fingers and toes were so tiny that I could not believe something so wonderful could be produced by the human body. For the first time in my life, I saw love. It weighed no more than eight pounds, and enveloped me with something, to this day, I cannot describe. I do not think I will fully understand until the day I become a mother. Nevertheless, I grew to love the children at that daycare. The day I had to leave, I was never the same.