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Child Life- According to the Child Life Council- "Child life specialists are experts in child development, who promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families, and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to health care and hospitalization. Understanding that a child’s well being depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They also play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress."


Now from this,you can see that Child life is a very complex field that has many different levels. Each day is different. Each child is different. And each procedure is different. This I knew when I finished my internship. However, even though I knew it would be different every day, I still expected to basically be only doing the things mentioned above.

That was until I started working at a place where there are only 3 people in my program and there is a lot more needed to be done. And who knew that I would be the one called upon to do very random non-child life related things! (These things often leave me wondering if they were actually in the small print in my contract!) Not only am I the first "go to girl" when something technological breaks or stops working, (Which I always wonder about!) But there have been 3 things of late which have made me pause and wonder, and then laugh!

#1 A few months ago I was approached by my boss about something new we were going to help with. OB Tours! Yep! That's right. I would be giving tours to expecting mothers and fathers about what to expect on the day they go into labor. Really?! I work on Pediatrics. Not OB. I am single and have never had a baby myself. And to add on top of that- I have never seen an actual birth- ever. The only thing that I had going for me was that I had seen pregnant woman before and knew where the OB floor was located. Other than that- clueless.
I was told it was easy breezy. No problem. (Told to me by a nurse that had been working for 30+ years.) I went on about 3 tours that other people facilitated in order to learn and then it was my turn.
I asked her to only put a few people in my first group- just to help ease me in slowly. Sure enough 8 couples showed up that Saturday. 8 couples = 16 people. I decided that I needed to chat with her about what exactly "a few people" meant. But i guess that's the best way to start- jump in with both feet.
I have to say- that in the past few months I have learned a plethora of information about what happens on that day of labor! For the most part, the people have been great and haven't asked too many weird questions. Except for the "and when do we do the paternity test?" one. Other than that- its been smooth sailing!


#2 Our hospital (as do most hospitals) has seminars and classes that people can participate in. Therefore, there are speakers for each of them and these speakers need introducing. Out of the blue I started getting calls to be the one to introduce them! Really?! Me? I could see if I had been the one to schedule them, or if it was related to my field of work- but they never are. I just have to stand and read a paragraph that includes a bio for the speaker- All the while the coordinator is sitting in the back. Apparently she hates talking in front of a group. (I don't know where she got her info, but I'm not really one that is known for loving to stand in front of 30+ people and talking to them!) Then to top it all off, after I finish reading it, I feel awkward as I walk out the doors and go back to work as the speaker begins. I would stay- but usually I get called to do the seminars on infertility or lap band surgery. Fun stuff- I think I'd rather got fix the Wii that broke for the 15th time!

#3 Then to today. The hospital had just re dune the brochure for Pediatrics and they used my boss for the child life pictures. I was super fine with that! Then Tuesday I got a phone call. They are now redoing the brochure for the woman's center. It was going to feature not only the rooms and services we provide but also the classes. They have a really cute class where siblings of expectant moms can come in and watch a movie and learn all about new babies. The voice on the other end of the phone call said "we want you to be the 'teacher' for the sibling class - in our photos". So nothing (again) to do with my job, I headed down there for my next new role!

They had brought in a few kiddos that would be my "pupils" then they dressed up like doctors. ( I guess they do that in the class. I wouldn't know. Again- never been to a class and really have no idea what they do there!) I simply had a hold a baby doll and point to it like I was teaching them. But there was a trick to it! One of the boys was 3 and wouldn't just sit there and pose like he was interested in what I was saying. I actually had to teach him so that he would stay interested! "And why is he wearing a hat?" "And where is his belly button?" "And what color is it?" I had to get really creative because it took a long time to get all 3 to look in the same place at the same time. Oh and did I mention that there were about 10 people in there watching as well! It was quite the experience!

Then one final picture before I was released and could be a child life specialist again- They wanted me to hold hands with the kids and walk down the hall. Yep- Bum shot. Super thrilled about that one! Lets hope that gets vetoed in the final stage!

All I have to say is- it keeps me on my toes, keeps the job exciting and hey- it's job security right?!