Being a parent is one of the most challenging roles a person can undertake. The constant care for our little ones, the emotional resilience, and the ability to navigate constant uncertainty are just some of the trials that come with parenthood.
The parents of Lizzy, a four-year-old girl who feared going to daycare, struggled with their daughter’s distress.
When she started attending daycare, Lizzy was looking forward to it. She loved everything about the space that was supposed to be her happy place.
And then, out of the blue, she started dreading going to daycare. Every single morning started with constant crying and throwing tantrums. Whenever her mom and dad asked her why she started hating daycare all of a sudden, she was silent.
It was obvious something serious was going on, but they couldn’t understand what it was.
They spoke to Lizzy’s teachers who assured them that their daughter’s crying would stop once she entered daycare. But there was more to the story, and they were determined to learn what was upsetting their daughter that much.
In desperation, Lizzy’s parents came up with a plan to get to the bottom of their daughter’s anxiety over daycare. Her dad, Dave, suggested placing a tiny microphone inside Lizzy’s beloved teddy bear, Mr. Snuggles.
That evening, when they listened to the recording, their world turned upside down.
Poor Lizzy suffered bullying by another child.
They could hear that other girl telling Lizzy that if she told anyone about how she treated her, monsters would come for her and her family. “Now give me your snacks, crybaby,” the girl could be heard saying.
Without hesitation, Dave and his wife, Camilla, drove to the daycare in the morning, demanding answers from the owner and the teachers who failed to notice their child was bullied mercilessly.
There, they were welcomed by the teachers, who had no idea what was going on right in front of their eyes.
They took the recording out and played it right there and then. The teachers were speechless. “But…but we never noticed Lizzy being treated that way,” they said.
Dave and Camilla demanded they see their daughter in the classroom in an attempt to learn who the bully was. As they watched through the window, they saw a girl, Carol, looming over Lizzy, her hand outstretched expectantly for Lizzie’s snack.
The owner of the daycare was alerted of the problem, and so were Carol’s parents.
But all Lizzy’s parents could think of at that moment was taking their girl home.
When she saw them, she yelled, “Mommy, Daddy, you are here.”
“Yes, baby, we are. And we won’t let anyone, especially Carol, treat you badly.”
That evening, her parents spoke to Lizzy and explained to her that monsters weren’t real and that there was nothing she should be afraid of.
Lizzy was relieved and wanted to know how her mom and dad knew someone treated her badly. Her mom just smiled and said that parents have superpowers and they always know if their child is in trouble.
As of Carol, her parents called and apologized, explaining that Carol only started being a bully and acting badly following their separation, but they were now seeking therapy for her.
Dave and Camilla decided to find a new daycare for their daughter. A place with stricter rules and better supervision.
This story is a reminder that we should always watch closely over our children because sometimes even the safest environment can hide potential dangers.
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Bored Daddy
Love and Peace
