A Sympathetic Ear

I have to admit I was nervous when Kayla and I approached her day care this morning. I had been running a million different scenarios through my head... If the "mean teacher" is there, I will do this and if they argue with me, I will do that. I had turned it over and over in my mind and about 98% of the outcomes involved me expressing my feelings very passionately, taking my daughter, and leaving in a huff. Luckily for me, a political monologue on the value of thumb-sucking, a dramatic exodus, and a huff were not necessary.

We were met at the front door by the Head Day care Lady. The look on her face was all I needed to see to know that she was on my side and all would be okay. She had an expression somewhere between compassion, empathy, and pity... with a sprinkling of Grandmotherly caring and kindness mixed in for good measure. She proceeded to apologize for several minutes and she assured me that the offending teacher was talked to and that Kayla would be allowed to suck her thumb anywhere and anytime she so desired. She could suck to her hearts content and I was promised that an ill word would not be spoken. Naturally, I did what any 30-something, together, totally in-the-right, level-headed, professional Mother would do. I blubbered like a baby at this woman's desk.

At the conclusion of our meeting, Kayla went to her classroom happy, the "mean teacher" was re-assigned to another classroom, the Head Day care Lady was happy she would continue to receive my $135 / week checks, and I went off to work with a sense of satisfaction with my accomplishment of fighting for my daughter's rights and winning, and also a peaceful, easy feeling that Kayla can suck her thumb whenever she feels like it and the "Thumb Police" won't be there to rip her thumb out of her mouth, brow beat her, and permanently scar her fragile little psyche.

See? There is still justice in the world, the "little guy" can come out on top, and mean people do get what they deserve!