I went over the edge. My classroom Christmas presents went home before they were supposed to.
I teach prekindergarten. Every Christmas it’s a big deal to have the kids make a nice gift for their parents. We had decorated glass votive candle holders with mod podge and tissue paper. They are always super cute. Because they are glass I didn’t want them to dry in the classroom. We occasionally have flying stuffed animals in our room. So I took them to the front desk. I told the people there that the candleholders were there to dry. But that information didn’t reach everyone and they were accidentally sent home with a couple of kids.
This was an accident. No one meant to create any problem for me – they were trying to be helpful. Unfortunately it kind of screws up my plans for the next two days. My plans included decorating bags and wrapping. I also don’t have a little present for those kids to take home.
I cried. As a teacher, and as a mother, I work very hard to achieve that perfect holiday experience for kids. I was disappointed and frustrated. It was also a straw that broke this camel’s back.
But shit happens – even at Christmas time. Especially at Christmas time. A time when we are trying to create that perfect experience. But since that isn’t an option anymore, I have to regroup and go with Plan B…as soon as I figure out what that is.
This has been a year of Plan B. And with a little perspective I realize this is a small thing. Most things are. I think I just wanted something to be easy, to go the right way. But I’m getting better at shifting to Plan B. And we just need to keep figuring it out.
