Authentically Adele

Let me share some highlighted conversations from the past 3 weeks at work… because honestly, you can’t make this stuff up!

“Miss, Miss, Miss… how old are you?”
“I’m old enough to work here,” I cleverly reply.
“No, but really, how old are you?”
Without thinking, I say, “Guess.”
BIG MISTAKE.
“67!” blurts out the child.
…note to self…. Never ask a child to guess your age!!!

A child runs in my direction, crying real tears, absolutely heartbroken. As I walk to meet them, I try to look for any visible  injuries—no blood, no limp, just pure emotional devastation.
“What’s wrong?” I ask gently as I get to the child.
Through broken sobs: “Miss… they… they killed an ant!”
Relieved it wasn’t a playground injury or argument, but now I’m thinking ummmm what should I do? Plan it’s funeral? Hold a court case? No Adele, don’t …just don’t be silly… instead, I kneel down to talk to this crying child.
“I’m so sorry they did that. I know your heart is sore. Try to be strong for the ant… or maybe it’s like a cat and has 9 lives?”
They pause, smile, and run off. Mmmmm

“Miss, Miss, Miss!”
“Yes?” I say, turning to a very worried little face.
“I can’t find our snail! It was there yesterday, and we built a home for it… but now it’s GONE!” and the tests began to flow!
“Oh dear… maybe it went home to eat dinner!”
“But we made it food and everything!”
“ok, ummm maybe it went home to see its mum and dad?” I suggest.
“But why?”
“Well… maybe it missed its snail family. Just like how you’d miss yours.”
The child pauses for a moment.
“Ohhh. I think you are right! OK. I’ll go find another snail.” and then walks off skipping.
Without A Trace- school edition- Season 1 Episode 1: The missing snail

“Miss, Miss, Miss!”
“Yes?”
“You OK? I ask the child in the middle of the lesson. I walk over quickly, thinking that they may need help with their task.
“ You look so young!!” came the child’s response!
THAT’S IT.
Day made. Week made. Term made. Possibly even year made.
I look young!!!!! Please note, I did not ask how young! I just left it at that!!!! I look young!!!

Never a dull moment when you work with children! Absolutely love my job.