Mama Bear

Yesterday was a bad day. Really, it was the fourth in a string of stressful days this week. But let's not talk of that...let's focus on the madness of yesterday.

I'll just start from the top. Yesterday was Evelyn's second day of daycare. The first didn't go so well and I didn't knowhow the second would go. Evelyn had been a little under the weather all week (daycare germs!), not sleeping well, runny nose, general fussiness. Anyway, when I picked her up from daycare, the woman told me about her day (not so great), asked if we wanted to give it another try, and then....then, she said the following:

"I think being around other kids is important for Evelyn because SHE IS REALLY BEHIND."

Wha?! I was too baffled in the moment to ask her about it. How was she behind? Am I blinded by my love for Evelyn and not seeing some glaring issues? Should she be talking more? Should she be stacking blocks? Should she be giving me her take on the healthcare reform law? What??

I left, getting Evelyn into the car while a million thoughts swirled. But as I loaded her into the car, looking at her face so happy to see me, I knew this lady was wrong. And she wasn't just wrong, she was stupid And she wasn't just stupid, she was vile. And then, let's not pull any punches here, I wanted to cut a bitch.

I went into full-on Mama Bear mode. How could this woman tell ME that MY CHILD was "behind?" She has seen her for two days! In an unusual setting! With new kids and routines and foods and toys! I called my mother-in-law. I called my mother. I ranted and raved and thought of pulling Evelyn out of his terrible woman's daycare.

But then I listened to my own mother, who I'm sure at times has had her own Mama Bear moment, and called the daycare lady back to ask some follow-up questions.

"Hi, daycare lady. Do you have a few minutes to chat? You said something when I was leaving and I should have asked you about it at the time but I got a little flustered picking up Evelyn. You said she was "behind" the other children. Can you tell me in what ways?"

"Oh, sure, well...she doesn't interact as much. She isn't speaking as much. She won't sit down for preschool and color. She is generally a little immature. And all of these things will get better as she is --"

"Let me interrupt you right there. Can I ask...are you comparing her to the other girls in your care? Because I know they are two and two-and-a-half years old. And while Evelyn is as tall as they are and as large as they are, she is only 18 months old."

"Oh...she's only 18 months old?"

"Yes."

"I thought she was closer to two years old."

"No, she is 18 months. She is just tall."

"Oh...well...then, I'm so sorry. I was wrong. She isn't behind at all. I'm so sorry."

"Glad we had this chat, or I might have punched you in the neck the next time I saw you."

OK, so that last sentence was just in my mind, but the rest is for reals. Daycare lady thought Evelyn was older because she is tall. My mom warned me about this, and here it is. Height doesn't equal age. I know this lady knew that Evelyn was 18 months old because we talked about it and I filled out all the paperwork, but I don't think she internalized that information. Evelyn is as big or bigger than the much older girls at this daycare, and I think this lady just forgot that they are different ages. I am still worked up about what happened, but she apologized and I can forgive her.

But don't mess with my kid. I will cut you.