Twenty.

If you'd told me 20 years ago when I started this job that I'd still be doing this work, I would not have believed you.

Hell, if you told me right now that I've been doing this for 20 years, I'd find it hard to believe.

But here we are.

I took the job because it fit into my schedule and would give us a little extra money.
No other reasons, really. I figured I could tolerate it for 10 hours a week, which was what they offered me in the beginning.

That was October 10th, 2004. At least I think it was the 10th. Doesn't really matter, I suppose.

By December of that year, I was working 25 to 30 hours a week. For three years in the early part of my kid work, every paycheck I earned went into braces for my kids. Worth every cent. Neither one of them will ever have to go through the crowding and all the issues with Wisdom teeth. And they have great smiles.

It's been helpful financially, but what's been great is how much joy I've derived from what I do.

I know, it's not for everyone. And it's okay if you think I must be missing a chunk of attic insulation to still be having fun working with kids, but I feel fortunate to be doing what I do.

So yeah. October 2004.

Except for the pandemic, that's what I've been doing ever since. During the pandemic, I kept in touch with several of my kids from the program I'd been running. I met up with them once or twice a month with a craft pack I made up. Low contact in the grocery store parking lot, hand them a bag of crafty stuff and then we'd all go our separate directions. Using their parent email accounts, we then exchanged some pictures of the things we made. It was almost like making it in the same room.

So I just accidentally fell into what I was meant to do 20 years ago.

I was greatly helped by being assigned to Sunshine's site. She explained everything she did and taught me a ton of stuff about licensing and the practical knowledge of just keeping kids amused.

It was my choice to stay there as the site teacher for five years, too. I hadn't planned to ever move up. But the idea of health benefits and my own program was eventually what I wanted to do.

Now I've been successfully running after school programs since 2009.
I can't say my employers have all been great, sadly. But I have a good one now. Guess being treated like crap is a good thing, because I wouldn't have moved on if I hadn't had such crummy managers.

Y'all know the saying about how people don't quit companies, they quit managers.
I'd have to agree with that.

I know I won't be doing this for 20 more years, either. I have to admit there are days when it's too much for me physically. Occasionally too much emotionally/mentally, too. Like the past few weeks with Bob.

I have three years until I can collect social security AND make as much money as I can at the same time without penalty. Of course I'll never be wealthy doing this work, but I really can't complain too much, I get paid to play.

How much longer will I do this? Not sure. But I know I'll continue to enjoy it and be glad I can build up young humans and have an excuse to make craft projects at the same time I'm juggling/herding cats.