Today I Feel Good About Myself

I had my doubts this morning. Mrs.G was busy talking to someone not related to any of the children in her class and didn't greet Ironflower when she walked in. It probably pissed me off more because when I was a teacher, no child ever walked into my classroom without being greeted. Even if I was talking to an administrator. (This may have contributed to my last principal calling me disrespectful, but since he was found guilty of embezzling from the school I don't take his opinion very seriously. But that's another post.) As I captured Lovebug, I noticed Mrs. G end her conversation in time to greet the other children.

Needing to calm down, I decided to drive Lovebug to a faraway park. On one of the curves, I noticed what looked like a police car hiding behind the bushes up ahead. Since I was going the speed limit, I should not have worried. But I started to hyperventilate when the cop car pulled out behind me. Now, I may have had some reasons to fear the police in the past (So I used to speed. And my tags were expired for three years. Sue me.), but not anymore. I hardly ever speed. My car is tagged through 2009. Yet I couldn't stop worrying. I decided to pull on to a side street.

When the cop car followed me, I gasped loudly enough for Lovebug to stop turning his toy steering wheel (which then stopped the incessant and annoying song it plays, so that part was a blessing). As the cop glanced at me, taking in my headband and polo shirt, he kept driving. I took a few deep breaths.

Lovebug was happy enough at the park. At least until he discovered my car keys in the diaper bag, grabbed them and headed for the gate. I figured he was ready to go so I followed him. But what he really wanted to do was play in the driver's seat in the car. I let him, especially after he showed me which key goes in the ignition. I don't know how he knows this. Maybe he's a car savant?

Anyway, I made sure that he fell asleep on the way back to Ironflower's school. I left him in the car and nervously approached the playground. It was fun to watch Ironflower play. As the kids were gathered for dismissal, Ironflower started saying "Mama! Mama!" in a happy voice. I figured that whatever happened after that, Ironflower was happy to see me.

Mrs. G called Ironflower first. Mrs. G did not say good-bye to her (that's another pet peeve I have as a former teacher. All my students got good-byes too). After we had hugged hello and gathered her school bag, I told Ironflower to say good-bye to her teacher. I told her in such a loud voice that Mrs. G actually looked at us. And said good-bye. I even got a comment about what a great day Ironflower had had.

So I've learned that I will not bring Lovebug with me to the school playground. I've learned that I will teach Mrs.G to treat ALL of her students kindly.

Oh yeah, I've also learned that the cops are not out to get me.