#somebody needs to give me a niece nibling nephew

[nateconnolly]

#being a camp counselor this summer opened my eyes to a whole new world of lying to children it’s awesome

The first thing you learn as a new summer camp counselor is that most children sincerely enjoy hearing adults tell them obvious lies. I think it comes in part from the inversion of the normal child-adult dynamic: they get to be the ones who tells us "no," and they're positioned as a person with important knowledge. This is good practice. I think children need a safe environment in which they can internalize the fact that sometimes, adults tell them things that are not true. That is a safety skill. So, it's fun for them, it's good for them, and it's a bonding activity. Whenever kids were hurt on the playground, they made a BEELINE for me specifically (as opposed to the other counselors, even when they were much closer physically). I attribute that in part to the fact that I was very approachable because I was The Silly Adult Who Lets You Correct Him.

The second thing you learn as a new summer camp counselor is that supervising small children as they cross the street is more stressful than being hunted for sport.

Lies I have told children ages 7-9

I am five billion years old

My name is Snuffalufagus Bartholomew Von Maximus the Third

I'm in Kindergarten because after college they make you start again all the way back in the beginning.