Do any of you work with children?

[sarah2211]

I'm a kindergarten teacher and I love it. It's a great job. Although TTC while working with children is challenging.

Regularly I hear parents make negative comments about their children. They don't enjoy their children and appear to want to spend as little time as possible with them. Some the children have been severely abused by their parents (and are no longer in their care). It is really hard to see this when they have the one thing we want and they don't appreciate it.

But recently, I've found the that the comments the other teachers I work with to be patronising. I'm the only one in my group of teachers who do not have children (or grandchildren). Perhaps it just cuts deeper because we are TTC, but I feel they make comments about the fact that I don't have children, therefore I wouldn't know what it's like to be a parent and therefore can't be a good teacher because of this (funny enough, I'm more qualified than any of them!). I try not to let this get to me and just get on with the job.


Anyone else work with children finding similar challenges?

 

[Mozzarella]

I would definitely try to not let their comments affect you. Which is hard.
I too work with kids.

I definitely think people without kids sometimes have a great perspective into children because they're able to observe things that parents may forget about or even ignore about their own kids.

I know lots of amazing teachers who've never had their own children.
Having kids doesn't make you a great teacher. Having a great heart makes you a great teacher


I do find it difficult sometimes too because I always imagine how I want to raise my kids (and how not too. And as a teacher or one who works in a school with kids. You do see a lot of how not to raise your kids). Plus I really dislike how some teachers handle kids. Some teachers don't understand what kids are really like, even if they have their own.

 

[sarah2211]

Thanks. They were making more comments today. I tried to not take any notice and change the subject.

I agree, I've met amazing teachers who don't have children and many who have children who aren't amazing. I know I observe things in children and challenge them in ways that other teachers with children don't.

It is good to see the things some parents do and don't do and think about what you'd do in those situations. Some people automatically think you can't have an opinion if you don't have children though.

 

[AnnieJ10]

I work in a pediatrics office. Its pretty hard as I see kids of all ages all day and I also round on newborns at the hospital. I just want a baby sooo bad and theyre so cute lol. I also see children born to drug addicts and the babies are going through withdrawal themselves and its just horrible and I cant help but think why did they get pregnant and I haven't. Theres one mother who has had 7 babies while on drugs and has given them all away.

 

[sarah2211]

Annie, that must be so hard. It seems just unfair when someone can put so much crap into their bodies, not care and fall pregnant 7 times.
Those poor babies. I hope they have someone in their lives to love them and care for them like they should have been from before they were even born.

When I see new born babies I think "oh yeah they're kind of cute". But other people's babies don't make me want one of my own.

 

[MagicDance]

Hey all..

I can relate to everything you guys have already said.

I work full time in a Private Day Nursery.. I often think that I am in the wrong job while TTC.

It's so difficult! Growing bumps and gorgeous babies all around me. We also have a fair share of Child protection / Safeguarding issues

My experience just yesterday was a very poorly child needing their Mother who was more annoyed at having to leave work than concerned for their child.

It is a sad state of affairs when some families do not realize what a beautiful gift they have in-front of them.

I just wanted you to know you aren't alone and what you feel is healthy. It is completely unfair that people use the 'you don't have children of your own' card, I have been there too and it's irrelevant and unprofessional for others to use it against you.

I hope you feel better soon, Im sure you are wonderful at your job.

 

[Stategirl]

I am a speech language pathologist and work mostly in pediatrics. I work in a health system and the kids I work with are delayed in one way or another- speech/language/articulation/ cognitive impairments/autism etc. love my job and so want one of our own but their behavior and yes parents attitudes sometimes gets to me. I usually don't get the you don't know what you are doing due to not having my own children yet but why don't you have any you are really good with them. Just recently got our bfp though so I am currently 4 weeks 2 days and hoping this bean sticks 💚