The Quick Facts:
Brad graduated about a year ago
We moved to Chicago at the end of last April
Brad works as an Art Director in Advertising at Leo Burnett
I have been working at the Chicago Distribution Center at the Chicago Temple since August
We've had our puppy Nikita for 8 months and she turns 1 April 21st
I'm taking one class via Independent Study - U.S. History through 1877
I just turned the ripe old age of 21 on March 5th
Brad and I have been married for approximately 2 years (April 25th)
I am the 2nd Counselor in the YW Presidency
Brad is the Scout Master
So today I am posting about an experience I had babysitting.
Being the youngest, I was not around babies or younger children that often. I would go babysitting with my sister then as I got older I babysat a couple of times by myself. I haven't babysat anyone besides nieces or nephews since I was in High School. (Just a little background)
I was at YW one night when a woman in my ward, who's daughter was in my primary class, asked me what I did on Tuesdays. I knew that this couldn't be leading to anything good. But I said that I was on call for work, though I rarely had to go in. She then asked me if I could take her to the hospital that day. I was relieved and agreed to do so.
...That is when she added that I would need to watch her kids as she was at the hospital, take them with me to pick her up after her surgery, and possibly stay a while afterwards...
The panic returned; I had a lot of praying to do.
I put on a smile and said sure thing. I tried to remember all the important questions to ask about the needs of the kids, emergency numbers, etc. Unfortunately I have to admit that I was entertaining the questions of "Why ME? I do not know this lady very well at all, unlike the Relief Society President, or countless other children lovers in the ward." But then I soon rebuked myself and said that sooner or later I should get used to children.
Sunday came and I saw this family sitting on the front row. I suddenly grew an unexplainable love for them. I did not know this kids, but I became excited to spend time with them on that Tuesday. That is when I found out her surgery, which had previously been scheduled for 2PM was now scheduled for... 7AM. I'm an early riser, but 7 AM + a 4 yr old, 7 yr old, and 10 yr old? Wow, my work was cut out for me!
Tuesday came very quickly. Before I knew it I was at their house and sitting in a chair waiting to hear any noise indicating the children were awake. I had clear instructions that they were to empty the dishwasher before the oldest daughter (Sam) was off to school. And the rest was pretty much up to me.
Sam was the first one up and she talked with me for a bit before the others were awakened. She showed me a project she had done and I asked some questions. She liked me! It was going really well, I didn't even feel awkward for a moment.
When the others were all up I asked them if they had ever timed themselves to see if they could empty the dishwasher within 5 minutes, they said no, I set the timer and off they went. They were soooo excited!! It was wonderful. Then Sam asked me to time her to see if she could get ready in 3 mins. She was ready in 1.5. And then she was off.
Now the unstructured time began. Maggie (7) and Matt (4) weren't sure what to think of me. But soon they were telling me all sorts of stories. They also let me know that they hated each other. Fits/tantrums were thrown. I was proud of the way I handled them! Matt was the main tantrum thrower, 4 during the 5 hrs I was there. When he was upset he would throw things, pout and yell. I told him if/when he wanted my help all he had to do was ask nicely, then I would leave him where he stood to let him cool off. He eventually always came around :) We read some books, watched some Rugrats, and played a board game. Then it was time to pick up their mother. So off we went! We were at the hospital (in the car) waiting when Matt broke the big news to me. He said "If my mommy weren't my mom, I'd want you to be her!"
I guess I was a success!!! They were begging me to stay after mom was home, but alas I had to return home to take Nikita out on a walk.
Later that night I received a text from Sam on her mom's phone. She told me that Matt and Maggie had said I was nice and fun and that they liked me!
It boils down to it's being a wonderful experience that I wouldn't mind having again.... in the future... about a fews months in the future.... Ha! It really was great, and it helped me realize I won't fail as a mother when that time arrives. Heavenly Father saw an opportunity to help me grow for the better, and strengthen a weakness, and He put it in my path. I am grateful!
That concludes my story. I know this will sound like a piece of cake for most of you, but it was new for me and something I very much needed.
Next Post: My first experience at a Pub. ST. PATTY'S DAY 2011.
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