Momma-Bear!

I am having a super hard time wearing my mommy hat and teacher hat at the same time today.  As a teacher, I understand well what it is like to be responsible for "all" children, or at least for your own class.  I also understand what it is like to be protective of them, and want to do what is best for them.  On the flip side, I understand the fierce and undying commitment one has to her own children.

So what happens when the needs of my own baby seemingly go against the needs of others?  I try to be flexible, empathetic, and generous when I am able.  Today, I hit a wall with being the nice teacher-mama.

One of Parker's daycare teachers let me know third-hand today that the director wanted her to tell me that I will need to do my Thursday developmental therapy sessions with Parker in her office.  The reason?  Because his therapist used toys with sounds/music during therapy that other teachers complained about, as it was nap time for most kids in the daycare.

Now, at first glance, this seems somewhat reasonable to an outsider.  I know, because I've thought about it for hours (once my momma-bear rage settled).  

However, I am not willing to siphon my baby off to the back office during his therapy, and set a trend for exclusion.  This office is about the size of a closet, and excluded from Parker's class (and all of the others).  His most effective environment is his natural environment.  Who knows? Other kids may learn something too! And Parker certainly learns from them.  

Additionally, his teachers have been somewhat overwhelmed with the start of the year and have been a bit apathetic to learning about him.  Therapy prompts them to ask questions and LEARN about his development, which in reality, is knowledge that will help them understand all children.  

Lastly, I was sitting with Parker and his therapist the whole time.  Two babies in the room were two feet from us, and didn't stir during their naps.  

I think it was wrong for her to try and tell me third-hand through one of Parker's teachers, and to not give me any other options...like a phonecall saying "Hi Megan, would you mind letting your therapist know that it is the daycare's nap time, and to steer clear of the noisy toys?"  How easy could that have been?  I like to think I am pretty reasonable, and would have been agreeable to this, even knowing that musical, light-up toys are Parker's biggest motivators. 

Thank God for the ability to write this out, and remove some of my emotion so that when I speak to her, I can sound like a rational, intelligent adult instead of a furious nutcase. 

 Whew!