How do you feel about children?

This can be a question applied to all, even those who have kids of their own (I guess just think of kids that aren't your own).

I thought of this because my psychology director sent psychology students an email about a job working as an assistant at a child center. The children would be toddlers and infants and duties would include feeding, diapering, playing and a safe and secure learning environment. Needless to say, I'm seriously considering calling the place, especially if they have positions for the summer. I love children, especially infants and toddlers; not just because they are cute, but I think they are the most fascinating and easiest to work with. Ever since I took a developmental psychology class, I've been looking at children not as what they are (little kids) but sort of like little scientists that develop and think in all of these interesting ways. One of my roommates nannies a two year old and a one year old for one of her professors, and the stories she tells me always have me laughing.

However, after kids hit puberty and adolescence, I really can't deal with them anymore. Ironically, I would love to work with kids in that age range especially since I'm interested in childhood depression. Still, I find them to be so much of a chore and a headache compared to toddlers.

So, how do you feel about kids? Love them? Hate them altogether?

Posted by 25thDecan
Love them. Nurutre them. Model everything you want to teach them. With adolescents and teens you have to unclinch your sphincter and understand that they are NOT miniature adults. When they mess up, correct it and don't take it personally. I work with a variety of age groups and always have.

Now on the internships. As a 29yr old who's been in your position in school....do it. Do it today and call them today. You'll be paying your dues and gaining valuable empirical life experiences and experiencing the world in a levelheaded, positive way. Forward young'n....forward.

Now...please for the sake of your major and the sanity of those you will counsel later, call them. Work out the schedule and put foot to the pavement.

Oh I do plan on calling them. My career choice is not exactly towards young children (I want to work in the criminal justice system and the government, but I may try to work in juvenile facilities), but I love children enough to want to work with them. It probably won't be the exact experience I need (like, I wish I could get an internship at a prison or a facility), but Ahhh, I died a little inside (in the good way) when I saw I could work with toddlers.

Posted by 25thDecan
Actually, working with children and seeing the dynamics of their environmets and social settings(economic too) goes hand in hand when seeing into the minds of anyone...criminals or otherwise. You'll see where "it" all begins...

That's actually sense I could see how they interact with other children, adults, and in certain settings. It'd be great work, but I also feel like some jobs would be more impressed if I had an internship at certain other places, but I won't be looking for internships and research until next semester, so I still have time.

Posted by 25thDecan
Yep. I also taught at youth halfway houses around the Houston area for awhile before I worked with Child Protective services. I got the halfway houses gig through my work as a teacher and having worked with young kids. Now...volunteering in court as an ad litem(non attorney ad litem) may also help a GREAT DEAL.

Oh yeah, it'd be great to work as an ad litem since a lot of forensic psychologists will have that job, especially if they work in family courts. Funny enough, my criminology class is taking a field trip to a prison an hour away from my school, but unfortunately I don't think I can go because I'd be missing three of my classes (ones that are a bitch to deal with if I miss).

I could talk forever about kids but I want to get one point across. I actually have David Blaine to thank for thinking about raising a infant/toddler/adolescent this way. David Blaine, if you didn't know, is a magician. He points out in one of his videos that people are trained all their lives to "know" or think they will know. Parents tell their children what is going to happen and what is not going to happen when they open this door, or draw with this color, or place this on top of that. This totally takes the mysticism out of being a child. Nothing is left to the imagination. Think of a little mind that starts out completely believing in magic; the possibility that anything can happen. We build up walls within their minds and close windows to the point that they are molded into these robots. David Blaine likes making kids out of grown adults; to see their faces when they cannot believe what they've just seen. He rips away all their underlying principles of law and gravity and sense of know-how to reveal a genuinely curious big kid again.

The purpose of this reply is to remind parents to keep the imagination alive. Santa, hot lave on the ground that you can't step on, coloring outside the lines, tree forts, living room forts with every possible pillow or couch cushion the house has to offer! It is these open minds that continue to push the envelope in society; that ultimately contribute to mankind.

Santa, hot *LAVA not lave

Posted by OP3CRIMSIN
I could talk forever about kids but I want to get one point across. I actually have David Blaine to thank for thinking about raising a infant/toddler/adolescent this way. David Blaine, if you didn't know, is a magician. He points out in one of his videos that people are trained all their lives to "know" or think they will know. Parents tell their children what is going to happen and what is not going to happen when they open this door, or draw with this color, or place this on top of that. This totally takes the mysticism out of being a child. Nothing is left to the imagination. Think of a little mind that starts out completely believing in magic; the possibility that anything can happen. We build up walls within their minds and close windows to the point that they are molded into these robots. David Blaine likes making kids out of grown adults; to see their faces when they cannot believe what they've just seen. He rips away all their underlying principles of law and gravity and sense of know-how to reveal a genuinely curious big kid again.

The purpose of this reply is to remind parents to keep the imagination alive. Santa, hot lave on the ground that you can't step on, coloring outside the lines, tree forts, living room forts with every possible pillow or couch cushion the house has to offer! It is these open minds that continue to push the envelope in society; that ultimately contribute to mankind.

I really liked your part about David Blaine and imagination. While I said I may not be able to deal with older children all the time, I completely agree that their imagination is being squashed, and that is part of the reason why I have an issue with them. At that age, children should be able to think abstractly about most concepts, but they're ability to do that isn't exercised enough. I think that's why I have a lot of fun working with very young children because you can see how they process things and it's easier to stretch their thinking a little (until they get to about 4 or 5). But I still wouldn't mind working with older children in the end.

On the bright side, I just called the care center and I'm picking up an application tomorrow with one of my roommates 🙂

children!you spend every minute of every day thinking and planning and knowing that your decisions were shaping the people they were going to be...that's the thing matters the most

Posted by quo vadis?
children!you spend every minute of every day thinking and planning and knowing that your decisions were shaping the people they were going to be...that's the thing matters the most

Children are so interesting and can be so smart. I think some people do take that for granted.

I would not be me if not for my children. Love them, am proud of them. I call them my heart, soul and breath. I adore all children, and ornery ones delight me on a lot of levels. I ran daycare in my home for over a decade, so I have quite a large brood really. Some I've raised since infancy, I consider them just as much mine as I do their parents. I had such a wonderful time doing that. Stressful, definitely, but I got paid to be a child myself. See things every day with new eyes, get just as mucky. run just as hard and scream just as loudly as they. Does it get much better? Not really. 🙂

Posted by OP3CRIMSIN
I could talk forever about kids but I want to get one point across. I actually have David Blaine to thank for thinking about raising a infant/toddler/adolescent this way. David Blaine, if you didn't know, is a magician. He points out in one of his videos that people are trained all their lives to "know" or think they will know. Parents tell their children what is going to happen and what is not going to happen when they open this door, or draw with this color, or place this on top of that. This totally takes the mysticism out of being a child. Nothing is left to the imagination. Think of a little mind that starts out completely believing in magic; the possibility that anything can happen. We build up walls within their minds and close windows to the point that they are molded into these robots. David Blaine likes making kids out of grown adults; to see their faces when they cannot believe what they've just seen. He rips away all their underlying principles of law and gravity and sense of know-how to reveal a genuinely curious big kid again.
The purpose of this reply is to remind parents to keep the imagination alive. Santa, hot lave on the ground that you can't step on, coloring outside the lines, tree forts, living room forts with every possible pillow or couch cushion the house has to offer! It is these open minds that continue to push the envelope in society; that ultimately contribute to mankind.

WOW!!! LOVE YOUR POST! That is so right on about children and how we should not close their minds to the infinite possibilities! We as a collective society put too many restrictions on the mind by the way we condition one another especially parents/children. We want kids to grow up too fast and even contribute to it at times blatantly and then wonder why they are acting so grown.
Children should be allowed to just be children and let them go wild with their imaginations and ideas! I used to love to build forts inside/outside, had imaginary friends and even played with cigarette butts as people and making homes for them in sand and pebbles. (Kind of strange I know but true nonetheless...lol) Now kids don't always get to learn things on their own or make up their own games or just get to be a kid and act silly and goofy. We should encourage their wonder excitement and see their eyes light up with barely contained glee!

I also was a daycare provider.Be fair with the little people ,be consistent,be clear about your expectations,"we don't hit" "use your words",be ready for anything and always have a plan b,answer them honestly gaging where they are at(what answer is appropriate),be ready to be gross with them,go with the flow ,let the moment unfold.It can be mighty interesting.You're a guide/teacher,steering them.Try to catch them doing something good and praise them.You can be friendly,engaging,have fun,share laughs,make up stories etc.. but if you try to be a friend at their level,then they will think of you as an equal and will not see you or respect you as a leader.I am not saying be a dictator,or snappy or ugly about it,not at all.All them folks that are their size that are running around,those are their friends.If not,they think why listen to you,you are on their level a friend doesn't tell another friend what to do.They will not take you seriously...If some word or action hurts them,it is a big deal,because that what's happened to them as they live in the moment.They don't have enough life experience to make comparisons.They like consistency"snack always comes after story time".P.S.Everyones' artwork is good and when diapering an older baby give them something to play with so they won't be "helping" you or trying to escape...heh heh

You will get that one who will be ready for the power play.They know your not their parent and might even tell you so.My stock answer is;I know that I am not your mother ,but I am still in charge and I am taking care of you,when I tell you something I am trying to keep you safe and take good care of you.You want that ?Okay then.(redirect)Now let's see what you can make with---.You can not show fear and don't back down.Lead with confidence and compassion.It's the parents that you have to handle with kid gloves and be their "friend".....With teens,if the lines of communication have always been open,it's not that painful to connect and some days, you just have to slide raw steak under their door and let it go...

I think with childhood depression,sometimes it ain't the kid,but the situation that they are in.
Overall I think that you will do great.There are a lot of people that could use you compassionate and giving touch.

@25,Thank you for all your hard work with all the young people that you've worked with.All children could use a tough and persistant advocate like you.

I love children. They usually come to me. They "ask" for my friendship. I'm not the one who sees a child and then starts touching them and say "ohh look how cute he is" and other stuffs. We become friends after a few minutes of accommodation, and as I said they come to me first. And as VulcanLass says, they see me as an equal, and I am a friend at their level.

Sometimes I walk on the street and I see little kids watching me, I give them a smile and they smile me back. The parents notice and look at me but I have no clue why that kid is watching me.

I like children.....If I ever have any though, I'd rather someone take care of them til their a toddler....that's when I like them when they start to have their own personalities and look. The same thing happens to me that happens to AngelicVirgo......kids stare at me where ever I go....freaks me out sometimes, cause its like the know something I don't LOL

This question isn't applicable to personal parents.


You are talking about an arrangement to observe their behaviours while interacting with them ... however, how you nurture a child during a psychological evaluation isn't the same as being a parent.

I am a parent, and a grandparent.

25th....OMG did they really...wow LOL

Posted by AngelicVirgo
I love children. They usually come to me. They "ask" for my friendship. I'm not the one who sees a child and then starts touching them and say "ohh look how cute he is" and other stuffs. We become friends after a few minutes of accommodation, and as I said they come to me first. And as VulcanLass says, they see me as an equal, and I am a friend at their level.

Sometimes I walk on the street and I see little kids watching me, I give them a smile and they smile me back. The parents notice and look at me but I have no clue why that kid is watching me.

Yeah kids, always seem to look at me too no matter where I am, but children tend to look at many people when out on the street. While working at my job now (I work at performance venues on my campus), I have little children just run up to me sometimes when they are standing around with their parents. And these are generally the toddlers. It's actually quite precious.

I don't like children. Although I do want children of my own some day. I know I'm going to like my own children.

Posted by aquarius09
I don't like children. Although I do want children of my own some day. I know I'm going to like my own children.

Just a question? I just looked at your chart. Do you really have Aquarius in every single major placement in your chart? That's pretty badass.

Posted by Candeh15

Posted by aquarius09
I don't like children. Although I do want children of my own some day. I know I'm going to like my own children.

Just a question? I just looked at your chart. Do you really have Aquarius in every single major placement in your chart? That's pretty badass.

click to expand

Yep. I thought it was badass too because I liked my sun sign, but then I saw the aquarian robotic curse x 3..lol

Posted by aquarius09

Posted by Candeh15

Posted by aquarius09
I don't like children. Although I do want children of my own some day. I know I'm going to like my own children.

Just a question? I just looked at your chart. Do you really have Aquarius in every single major placement in your chart? That's pretty badass.

Yep. I thought it was badass too because I liked my sun sign, but then I saw the aquarian robotic curse x 3..lol

click to expand

Lol, aquarian robotic curse 😛

I like aquas; I have a few of them in my immediate life. So you're just one crazy, creative, smart cookie with all those placements.

Posted by Candeh15

Posted by aquarius09

Posted by Candeh15

Posted by aquarius09
I don't like children. Although I do want children of my own some day. I know I'm going to like my own children.

Just a question? I just looked at your chart. Do you really have Aquarius in every single major placement in your chart? That's pretty badass.

Yep. I thought it was badass too because I liked my sun sign, but then I saw the aquarian robotic curse x 3..lol

Lol, aquarian robotic curse 😛

I like aquas; I have a few of them in my immediate life. So you're just one crazy, creative, smart cookie with all those placements.

click to expand

Thank you =) Along with the good qualties of Aqua, I also got the bad such as our detached personality, being too aloof, being too unemotional. That doesn't fare well for a woman when guys expect you to be cuddly, sweet and nurturing. lol

Posted by aquarius09

Posted by Candeh15

Posted by aquarius09

Posted by Candeh15

Posted by aquarius09
I don't like children. Although I do want children of my own some day. I know I'm going to like my own children.

Just a question? I just looked at your chart. Do you really have Aquarius in every single major placement in your chart? That's pretty badass.

Yep. I thought it was badass too because I liked my sun sign, but then I saw the aquarian robotic curse x 3..lol

Lol, aquarian robotic curse 😛

I like aquas; I have a few of them in my immediate life. So you're just one crazy, creative, smart cookie with all those placements.

Thank you =) Along with the good qualties of Aqua, I also got the bad such as our detached personality, being too aloof, being too unemotional. That doesn't fare well for a woman when guys expect you to be cuddly, sweet and nurturing. lol

click to expand

Lol my mother is an aqua, so I can see it sometimes. You'd just have to find a guy who doesn't need cuddling or immediate affection 24/7. I was seeing an aqua guy for a little, and he was super cuddly, but he wouldn't readily admit it lol. But I really do like aquas. I think they are super loyal and great people to have around.

Posted by Candeh15

Thank you =) Along with the good qualties of Aqua, I also got the bad such as our detached personality, being too aloof, being too unemotional. That doesn't fare well for a woman when guys expect you to be cuddly, sweet and nurturing. lol

Lol my mother is an aqua, so I can see it sometimes. You'd just have to find a guy who doesn't need cuddling or immediate affection 24/7. I was seeing an aqua guy for a little, and he was super cuddly, but he wouldn't readily admit it lol. But I really do like aquas. I think they are super loyal and great people to have around.

click to expand

My friend's mom is aqua, and the way he describes are is so true but she comes across as a rational mother than per say a Cancerian mother who would smother you to death. I have a capricorn mother who may not smother me but she is the best mother in the world. She's selfless. But, I can see myself becoming a mom like his. She's cool but stern when she needs to be. I agree with you on finding a not-so-emotional guy. Good luck w/ my search on that one. I find most guys more emotional than me

Just about any age is better than the ages 14-21.

Posted by ninjamu
Just about any age is better than the ages 14-21.

I have to say that I loved my children at these ages. Now they are 18 and 21 and we are so very close and hang out together all the time. We get into deep discussions and laugh about nonsense and they are just so interesting to talk to.
I was so scared before my kids got to this age b/c of all the horror stories I would hear but I must've lucked out b/c my kids have been excellent!

Posted by ninjamu
Just about any age is better than the ages 14-21.

I believe that some of the toughest years for kids is between the ages of 13 and 18. It's an age of huge mental/emotional/social change and development, and it's an age range where expectations are high, both from the adolescent and from the people in the adolescent's life.

A little update:

My psychology dept (they really know how to look out for their psychology students) sent out an internship in my area to work in a therapeutic day school with with children who have emotional and/or learning disabilities. It's actually a paid internship for a minimum of 12 weeks in the summer, and I would be doing many tasks and rotating administrative office work.

Needless to say I'm sending in my cover letter and resume because I need to do an internship.

I don't know what has been in the stars lately, but there seems to be more opportunities at the moment, not that I'm complaining lol. I needed them.