Thursday, January 7, 2010

WWYD?

What would you do?

If your first grader came home from school and said "I know I'm here earlier than you thought I would be." So you glance at the clock and, indeed, she is standing in your house one minute after the last bell was supposed to be ringing. It usually takes this child a good 10 to 15 minutes to get home from school. In actuality the walk from the school is about 5 minutes away if she walks quickly.

(She said she heard the bell ring on the walk up from school but I don't think that was possible since she was in the house just one minute after the bell rang.)

"Do you want to know why I'm here early?" She asks. "I snuck out of my classroom. Don't worry I told one of my friends I was leaving."

Uh. What?

So, what would you do?


****UPDATE: I took Jillian in this morning before school to talk to her teacher about what had happened. It turns out there was a substitute yesterday. Which explains why she was able to do this without the school calling me.

Her reason for leaving early? She didn't like waiting. Lovely.

We had a talk about how waiting is one of the social skills that they work on in school and how it's just part of life. So even if we don't like it we have to do it. We also discussed her safety. In fact her teacher told her that if Jilli had done that while she was teaching she probably would have called the police.

Jillian apologized and said she wouldn't do that again. Needless to say Jillian was a very somber little girl when I left. I told her I loved her and her teacher said the same thing. Hopefully this will be a lesson learned early on in life and she won't ever do something like this again....even when she's older.

What? I can hope can't I?

21 comments:

Funky Kim said...

I'd have to leave the room to giggle. And that answer truly reflects the stage in life I am at. Grandparents can giggle at all this stuff. Parents, not so much.

Bonnie the Boss said...

too funny! At least she was honest!
I would probably talk to her, with her but be sure to commend her honesty!

Emmy said...

No way! How did the teacher not notice?? Sounds like it is a time for a talk.. good luck.

springrose said...

I would probably sit her down and talk to her about safety and the importance of the teacher knowing where she is, and that during school time she is supposed to be in school, and if something were to have happened to her no one would have known untill much to late! Some times you have to scare your kids with the truth for them to understand the real life concequences. I would also let her know you will be calling the teacher and school to let them know what she did, and that they may have a detention or something that she has to do. I would also make her sit down and write an apology to the teacher and especially her friend. She put her poor friend in a terible position!
Ah, the joys of parenthood!

And just for the record, I to giggled when I read your post! How can you not at that brashness of one so young?

Barbaloot said...

I'd probly start by asking why:)

Kristina P. said...

Well, gotta admire her skills.

Erin said...

I would praise her for being honest, and then discuss why that probably wasn't the best idea (why it could be dangerout, etc.) I would definitely rather have my kids be honest about something naughty they did than lie about it!

And I LOVE your background. I wish I had your talents, because I don't know how to do anything on my blog.

Recursively said...

WOW! Super cute blog! Hey, tell Tyran I SO wanted to go to Yoga last night, but I have the stomach flu :( I hate it when Weds comes and goes with no Yoga!

Way to go, mom and teacher! The police thing is really helpful, too! Don't you love it when the teacher/store manager/whomever, supports what you are trying to teach? Makes it all worthwhile.

Jules AF said...

hahaha once, I ditched out on an entire class. My teacher asked me where I'd been, and I told him I was throwing up in the bathroom.... He probably didn't believe me, but I don't care!

Jules AF said...

Okay, and by once, I mean every other day my senior year....

Mary said...

At least she didn't try to hide it, right? You did the same thing I would have done...but holy crap she's only in first grade!

tammy said...

I think I would have to laugh. And then do as you did. I love that they're still so honest at this age.

Amander said...

Hey, the girl has gumption. I admire that.

That Girl said...

I think I would do what you did.

mCat said...

Kudos to you! I would have either flew off the handle or laughed silly that my kid would have thought of something so ingenious.

Maybe that's why #1 is such a mess.

Good on ya girl!

Anonymous said...

I would have been scared to death! And angry that the sub didn't notice either. Wowza! A little grounding would probably happen, too. Good thing she's so cute!

Jessica G. said...

Oh boy! I'm all over the place on that one! Wanted to giggle and then wanted to freak out (cuz I'm good at freaking out). Good think my Boo rides the bus home or I strongly suspect she'd try this, too.

Cynthia said...

I'm so sorry but my first response was to laugh. Smart little girl you've got there, she had her answer all worked out. I tried to sneak home from elementary school once. The playground aide busted me!

ParkerMama said...

My husband is an ele. school Principal. You just wrote about his worst nightmare. Oy!

Although I do have to smile at how your first grader introduced her early arrive to you!

Teachinfourth said...

I had a student a few years ago who pretended to go to the bathroom and then started walking home when I was working with him after school on homework.

It's not a fun feeling when a student simply isn't there...luckily, I knew this kid pretty well and found him about a half mile from the school.

Talk about an averted heart attack!

Anonymous said...

I laugh, only because I did the SAME thing in 3rd grade.. or 2nd....

such a confusing thing to deal with... glad she is safe