That’s the question Cal’s mom asked me today. Who is Cal? Well, thank ya for asking! Cal is a sweet 1 year old baby boy that I’ve been babysitting about 8-10 hours a week for nearly 7 months now. 

What will he call me? I hadn’t really thought about that question until today. I always assumed he would call me by my name, or some baby vocabulary version of it. It was then that I realized a lot of things I probably should have realized sooner. He hears me. He hears what I say to him and how I say it. He sees me. He sees how I react when he does something he should not be doing. He sees how I greet him every Tuesday and Thursday at the door. He sees how I pick up after our messes. He sees how I take care of his toys and his books. He watches me as I make his lunch or prepare a bottle for him. He sees me. Although his one year old brain may just SEE those things, I know soon enough he will copy the things I do, or say.

So, what will he call me?

Sure. he will more than likely call me by my name. My question is: what will he KNOW me as? Of course, his babysitter. But, I hope he sees me as his babysitter who loves him like he is my family. I hope he sees me as someone who respects him (and his favorite toys and books). I hope he sees me as someone who admires his parents for the unconditional love they give me. I hope he sees me as someone who wants to continue to be part of his life even after I get my degree and move away. I hope he sees me as someone who cherishes the moments I make his lunch or give him a cup of milk. I hope he sees me as someone who will ALWAYS have dance parties in the living room with him. I know that what I do and what I say now to and around him matters—even if he is only one year old.

So, whatever name he gives me, I hope it is one that reflects all of the things that I have shown him—love, respect, and lotttttts of belly laughs.

Heres to the next 800 hours (literally) hanging out with my little best friend.