Little Booger

Three of the teachers at TLC were in a spiritual training course Monday-Wednesday this week. I think the course was a great opportunity for these women! While these teachers were out, the 2 teacher assistants and I were the substitutes. I had fun with the kids, but things were definitely a little stressful.

Typically there are more adults to go around. Getting the children in and out of the bathroom, getting their faces washed, getting clothes changed when necessary, etc was all a little more complicated with fewer adults to monitor the children. And the kids were aware and took advantage of the situation.

I spent most of my time with the Elephant class (older 3s and 4s). This would have been fine except that 3 of the kids don't speak English AT ALL. I think all 3 of them probably understood more than they were willing to admit and took advantage of the situation. (Seriously....they hear "sit down" at least 10 times a day. They are bound to know what it means!) But when they were hurt or angry with another child I had NO IDEA what they were saying!

There are also 2 very naughty boys in this class. One I can handle. He is stubborn and I'm MORE stubborn. So I win! hahaha The other boy I worry about (who I'll name Little Booger!). He has no respect for authority (especially female authority). He spits on people, hits people and refuses to obey most every request. His spitting and hitting are not reserved for his peers.....teachers are just as likely to be the objects of his anger too. I know his behavior and attitude are learned at home. Little Booger's father is not the nicest husband and father. But when a child is defiant and violent and refuses to stay in time-out, there seem very few options left. Especially when you are alone with 18 kids and the "Big Guns" of discipline happen to be the 3 teachers in a spiritual training class. I admit that my patience and teaching skills were stretched to the max the past 3 days. Being spit at, hit, ignored and blatantly defied are not things that cause warm fuzzies and fond memories. Knowing that Little Booger only responds to discipline that is harsh and violent is disheartening. Making sure I don't respond in a harsh and violent way was a test of my will power in many ways....it sure seemed like a quick fix to the problem. I had to keep my hands in my pockets and ignore the non-violent offenses to make it through the day without spanking this little booger.

I wonder if God feels as frustrated with me when I blatantly defy Him as I felt when this little boy defied me.

And as a little icing on the cake....one of the ladies in the Spiritual Training class brought a baby to church on Wednesday. And to prevent the baby from interrupting the training, the staff volunteered to watch the baby!! This wasn't a bright idea. So we were trading a baby around while having only 3 adults to watch 60 kids. So I managed to read a story to little booger and his 17 friends while bouncing a baby on my knee and feeding her a bottle. I felt like Super-Woman for a few minutes. (Until Little Booger crawled away under the tables to play with toys and Little Baby started crying and 3 other kids decided to join Little Booger under the table....but that was at the very end of the story, so I got out some toys. If you cant beat them at their game, make them think you are in control of the toys!)