We're less than six weeks into the new school year, and already it's been a doozy. I've never seen so many angry, disrespectful, and frankly, unbalanced parents before. It's like a whole year's worth of adult crazy has already unfolded around us in less than six weeks. The administration and the front office staff have been really stressed out. We joked on Friday that maybe it's the upcoming full moon making people act so wild!
I still love my job, though. One of the best parts is early in the morning when all my little friends stop by the office to say hello to me. Without really trying, I've become pals with around a half dozen kids who all go out of their way to come see me, give me hugs, and talk to me. I just adore them.
One little girl (a first grader and the daughter of one of our teachers) is especially sweet and one of my favorites. She's also kind of shy. Thursday morning while her mama was clocking in at the office computer, she came over to say hi and give me the customary morning hug. Afterwards, she stood there, hesitating, and I could see she wanted something. Her mama prompted, "Go ahead. Ask her. It's okay." Then little A., very nervous, whispered, "Um...would you like...would you like to buy some popcorn...to help my dance class?"
Turns out her little ballet class is doing a popcorn fundraiser where they sell big tins of flavored popcorn to raise money. I was the first person A had asked, and she was scared. It was so freakin' cute! How could I say no? :) Later in the day her mom texted me a link to an online catalog, and I went ahead and made a purchase, and then promptly forgot about it.
The rest of my day after that was utter crap. I kept running up against deadlines and obstacles at every turn, and to cap off the day my bank deposit was off. I ended up going back to work when I was supposed to be done for the day, to figure out where the deposit problem was. I was on the phone with an accountant at the district office, getting more and more stressed out, when little A. appeared at my office door. As soon as I was off the phone, she gave me a big hug, thanked me for buying popcorn, and handed me this sweet card she'd made for me.
That made the whole day better for Mrs. Blow!
A sweet card from a sweet child makes it all better!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely card! I know those days well after 37 years in the classroom. I had many wonderful parents but the ones who aren't--wowee. Crazy times!
ReplyDeleteThat card sure did tug at my heart! Very sweet 👍🙂
ReplyDeleteMy youngest granddaughter is a teacher's kid. The school secretaries could not have been kinder to her from her first moments at the school. They even made her a little desk to sit at while mom took a turn at the end of the day for the bus room or to organize car riders. Their thoughtfulness and generosity has continued to grade 4. They are the unsung heros. My daughter's first week as already resulted in a parent trespassed from school property and a screaming match between the mother and the hallway while her child cowered in a classroom. My heart breaks for the affect on the children of tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSince the parents seem so to be “angry, disrespectful, unbalanced”, maybe it’s the sweet children that should be in charge of raising their parents, rather than the other way around.
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