Redheaded Jill

DREAD

I was not looking forward to work today. A few days ago I dealt with a student who was being extremely inappropriate to me and his classmates and I was so uncomfortable. I left notes for the teachers and principal, but I felt sick to my stomach for the rest of the day. I thought of all the different ways I could get out of it.

I felt sick so I could just call in sick. I felt angry so I thought, I’ll just set a boundary and say NO to being around this child. I was frustrated because I didn’t want to miss out on an entire day of pay because of one troubled individual.

I talked to my shrink, and my best friend, and my mom. My shrink told me if I encountered that situation again to imagine the kid as a tiny shrinking image. Don’t give him any control. My best friend reminded me that I can leave at any time. I am not trapped here. My mom said, “maybe he’ll be absent or in ISS for his behavior.” Well, they were all correct, but my mom was thankfully most correct. The kid wasn’t in class this morning.

I don’t know if he was disciplined for his behavior, or if he had an appointment, or was kept out of my class because I complained. Frankly, I don’t care. Because he wasn’t here and I wasn’t a wreck.