It Happened at Daycare

It was barely even daycare.

Two days a week I would take my 22 month old to an in-home preschool program for two hours.  I guess I was trying to “socialize” her or something.  (Poor kid...the things you do with your first born.)

Abbey was a good girl.  She was gentle with her 4 month old sister and rarely threw tantrums.  There was one time she was frustrated because the wheel on her doll stroller wouldn’t turn, so she took a bite out of the handle.

Looking back, I possibly could have taken this as a sign, but I was too busy taking her to library story hour and swim club. 

I guess I was her enabler.  I should have talked to her about biting the stroller. Then, she could have learned to deal with the responsibilities that go with growing up and becoming a responsible adult.  Right?  Because a 22 month old can reason like that.....ummm yeah.  (Remember she was my first.)

Back to daycare…..or as it was called by the lady who ran it, The Home Preschool Program.

There was a girl named Highleigh.  Yep, not Hayleigh…..HIGHLEIGH.  That name explains a lot right there.  Her brother was named Chappmon.  Their mom never had to change a diaper because her kids didn’t poop, and if they did, they pooped gold nuggets.

I never did really get the story straight.  It involved Highleigh, Abbey, and another plastic baby stroller.  When I came and picked Abbey up, I received this letter....

To the parents of Abbey:

Today Abbey, showed a lot of aggression toward another child, in my care.

She was in a dispute, with another little girl over a stroller, and she bit the other

little girl, and it broke the skin.  She was taken to the ER.

I am giving Abbey a two week probation, if in these two weeks, Abbey still shows signs of this type of aggression, she will no longer be able to attend this daycare.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

Sandra Usestoomanycommas

I was humiliated.  I lectured my 22 month old on the drive home explaining how her behavior reflects on our entire family and how disappointed I was in her actions.  I waited impatiently for her apology, sure that she was regretting her conduct from several hours ago.

She was looking out the window strapped into her five-point harness and said, “Mommy I see playland McDonalds!  I love that town!” 
And what mom wouldn’t pull over, besides Highleigh and Chappmon’s mom?

We never had another biting incident but in the first grade Abbey punched a girl.  Even the teacher’s say the girl deserved it.  Her name was Avareigh.