My mother is a sweet lady. I love her to bits. She's polite. She's well-dressed. She's pretty and articulate and makes a mean grilled cheese sandwich.
But. Put any one of her cubs in danger or distress? You're asking for a smack-down.
Once, many moons ago, there was an elementary school near our house. The principal there was rather ... old-school, shall we say. Apparently a kid at the school did some drawing on the walls of one of the bathrooms, and This Is Vandalism.
The principal decided that meant that NONE of the kids in the school should be allowed to use the bathrooms At. All. There was an announcement made over the loudspeaker that day, telling us that the very next day would begin the great No Bathroom Access All Day punishment. The vandal had not confessed, and It Would Be So until we knew who did it.
My mother was incensed when she heard this. "It's not healthy!" said she. "It's not SAFE!" "You need to be able to go to the bathroom!" she cried, pacing about. "What is WRONG with those people?"
So, in her quiet, wearing-a-nice-dress way, my mom staged a sit-in the very next day. She simply went to the principal's office and told the principal, the secretary, and the school nurse (to whom she gave a serious scolding about this) that until the kids were allowed to use the restrooms, the adults would not be allowed to either. All. Day. And my mom said that she'd make sure of it.
I can only imagine that at that point, she crossed her legs, arched an eyebrow, and sat back. Waiting.
Guess what!
The bathrooms were opened. Kids peed freely. And my mom, no doubt, picked up her handbag, gave a gracious smile, and strode out of there with perfect posture.
Thanks, Mom.
7 comments:
That is awesome!!!
Good for her. What a ridiculous situation.
I can just picture her peering over the top of her glasses giving anyone who passed her "I don't think you want to do that" look!
It IS awesome. I'm all for appropriate punishments, but that clearly (as she quickly proved) was not it. I do remember (back when they first invented elementary school, and I was there) the whole class being held accountable for this or that little sneak, and I assume peer pressure eventually brought a confession. To be honest, I don't remember. I do remember a fair but formidable principal whom we all loved and respected. All kids should be so lucky. Your mom rocks!
Way to go Mom! She stood up for all of us when The System would rear it's ugly head. We'd have to fight our own personal battles, but when The System tries to get you,. she is there to defend the oppressed. Super Mom. There really should be a super hero action figure for her.
You have an awesome mom. All kids should be so lucky.
She was right! Punishing kids by forcing them to pee in their pants...so. not. cool.
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