Again, last week I was reminded why I never wanted to be an elementary school teacher.
Heath had gone out to lunch with his co-workers; so, I went down to see Lucy by myself. I admit, it’s a bit awkward without Heath. He engages in small talk and plays with the other children. I will flash a smile or goofy face at some of them occasionally; but, I am just not very good with little kids – especially a lot of them.
Each of the daycare helpers had a baby in hand and all the little toddlers were running about. It was Friday; therefore, there weren’t that many children. They were able to all play together, instead of the usual baby-toddler separation. Lucy was in an ‘exersaucer’ just bouncing her little heart out. It was adorable (to say the least). Frankly, I was just pleased that she wasn’t on the floor, getting trampled by the “walkers.”
First, I picked her up out of the saucer and gave her squeezes and told her how much I loved and missed her. Then, I sat down with her in front of the mirror. She loves to look at herself and I get a thrill out of watching her giggle and smile – so, that’s where we landed. We laughed and played in our own little spot when another little girl came over. I am not sure how old the girl is; but, I would guess 2 or 2 ½. Honestly, she may be a little older; let’s just say, she is old enough to know better. She talks in full sentences, clear as day. She is coordinated and plays with dolls like she’s playing house. So, after further review, she is probably 3 or 3 ½. Anyway, you get the picture…
This particular girl, we’ll call her Mary, has always been on my radar. She has been spotted picking on the babies in the past – by me that is. The daycare personnel are constantly hollering her name, “Mary, no. Maa-rry, no. Don’t do that!”
This summer, when there were fewer children, I used to watch her. She’d push the swings too fast, with babies in them. She’d throw blankets on their faces or take away their toys. I even alert one of the daycare providers to break up a ‘situation’ one day, where Mary was hitting another, younger toddler repeatedly on the head with a toy. It was sad to even watch. The other toddler was defenseless.
Other times, it seemed like Mary was trying to play house with the babies, but was just too rough. Regardless, I didn’t want her around Lucy.
Mary was a bully! Take that back, Mary is a bully.
So, on this particular day, sitting with Lucy, minding our own business, I was not amused with Mary.
She came over and kept throwing all the toys off the shelf – even the ones Lucy was playing with. I kept giving her this look, like, “go away, we are playing here.” After reflection, it’s obvious she is too young to pick-up on my snide looks. Oh well, it made me feel better. I stayed calm. I wanted to tell her to knock it off and that Lucy was playing with those toys first. However, that’s not my job and Mary’s not my child. It went unnoticed by everyone else - oddly enough too; she was making a lot of noise.
I abandoned the mirror and shelf toys. I took Lucy back over to the exersaucer. While Lucy bounced I showed her the different toys, surrounding it. Then, there she was – Mary. She started playing with the toys that Lucy was playing with – the ones connected to the saucer that Lucy was in!
Is it horrible of me to not like a little kid?
It’s the parents. She wants attention. It doesn’t happen when I’m gone. Lucy didn’t care. There was no harm done. These are all things I keep repeating to myself. But, seriously, Mary looks at me and my first thought is – troublemaker! I am surrounded by complete and utter annoyance.
Dramatic overreaction – got it!
It just makes me realize that Lucy is going to get picked on and I won’t be there to protect her. Mary is the first of probably several. I hate it. I want to protect her, especially now, since she can’t even comprehend the whole ‘sharing’ idea or stick up for herself and tell Mary to get lost.
Have you ever experienced this? How should I react when I am witnessing this behavior? I feel like a jerk telling daycare, “Mary keeps taking Lucy’s toys away.” What am I? Four?
Help! I have a daycare bully!
