My experiences with children before baby - #1

Working with Boys & Girls Club with the Wildlife Society - - - -

Back in college, I was part of the Wildlife Society. (quit laughing...it was a real club) We often worked for local ranches doing wildlife counts and evaluating the land for support of said wildlife. Those ranches made mucho dinero off the hunting, so we had a lot of support for what we did. Anyway, part of our community service was going to the local Boys & Girls club and doing presentations to the little elementary kids (like 4th and 5th grade). I went with Frito one afternoon on my first trip over there. Frito was a B-I-G guy...he played football his first four years of college and was now actually finishing up his degree. His presence was a little intimidating to those who didn't know him.

So, we got set-up and got the kids in there and settled in. I sat back to listen to how Frito made the presentation, explaining to the kids about the different types of wildlife around and how you could make plaster molds of their footprints. We had different types of animal horns and fur skins to show them and let them feel. After about the first 10 minutes, I started seeing little behinds squirming. Then they starting talking to each other. Then they started playing. Then they got out of control. Frito didn't know what to do.

My mom is a teacher...this crap must be in my genes. I stepped up, asked Frito if he minded and he didn't, and then I let loose. I say, "HEEEEEYYYY!!! SIT DOWN!!" And those little heads snapped around and Frito kind of stared at me with his mouth open.

"Do you get to act that way at school?" - as I scowled at them. "No, m'am." came the meek reply.

"Then you don't act that way here. You sit down, you be quiet, you be respectful of Mr. Frito, and if you have a question you raise your hand. Is that understood?" , I growled with a frown on my face. "Yes, m'am." came the meek reply.

"I don't want to see one of you moving unless you have to go to the restroom and you better ask before you move. Now sit there and listen up." And you could have heard a pin drop. But I tell you what, they were the best behaved little ones after that and it was actually a pleasure working with them when they minded their manners.

As we left, Frito said, "Man! You're mean!" Yeah, yeah....show no fear.

Next....

*Junior Achievement and the 5th grade


*Mentoring a 4th grader


*Talking to high school juniors and seniors about women in engineering