(no subject)

[fabrisse]

I hate being a meanie.

The number of kids forgetting their cards is going waaaaaay down, because I'm following the rules: No card, no entrance. The rare exceptions are told that they are exceptions (and why) and that it won't be tolerated again. Surprisingly, I'm believed. Kids are bringing their cards. Occasionally they're just handing me the fine for a new card automatically. I get very little back talk.

But I have to be a meanie to do it, and I don't like being mean. It's no fun having to be a hard-ass to a cute little kid with big brown eyes. It's scary being a hardliner with a kid who can crush you and thinks with his emotions. *waves at the teen center*

There's an edge to my voice, an edge to my thoughts. I hate being mean.

Comments

[siderea]

It does suck. No way around that. *sympathy* *sympathy* *sympathy*

Meanies, Blue and otherwise

[(Anonymous)]

I know it sucks being the meanie. It isn't comfortable, and it isn't fun. OTOH, when people let these kids slide, it isn't doing them any favors. If they don't learn that some rules have to be followed when they're cute little brown-eyed (or blue-eyed, or green-eyed) kids, they grow up thinking the rules don't ever apply to them, and then what do we do with them?

Actions have consequences. These kids need to know that. You're giving them a valuable lesson.

It doesn't make it any more fun, I know, but sometimes it helps to look at things from the perspective of what good you're doing them in the longrun when you disappoint them in the shortrun.

Discipline isn't a bad thing.

Twistie

who finds it's useful to understand the rules, even when she deliberately decides to break them for arcane reasons of her own devising

Re: Meanies, Blue and otherwise

[siderea]

Amen.

I suspect, Fabrisse being Fabrisse, that one of the things which The Little Cherubs are learning is that it makes Fabrisse unhappy to have to be the heavy, and that their negligence serves to bring her pain; I am guessing that is one of the reasons for the abrupt compliance: because they like her and don't want to make her sad. That's also an important lesson for them to learn.

Re: Meanies, Blue and otherwise

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I know that you're right. I know that I'm right. Discipline is useful -- heaven knows that I could use more -- and being the disciplinarian SUCKS!

I'm beginning to have a little sneaking sympathy for Mom.

Thank you for the understanding.

BTW as of an hour ago, I'm back on heart meds.

Re: Meanies, Blue and otherwise

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

An interesting thought. I've noticed that children, especially those under 10, like to look after me. I have no idea why they think I need looking after, but they like to do it.

Hmmmmm.

Re: Meanies, Blue and otherwise

[(Anonymous)]

I've noticed there are a lot of kids who like taking care of the people they care about. Consider it a sign that they think you're a nice person, despite the discipline.

And I know it's no fun being the disciplinarian. Been there, hated that probably as much as you do. It sucks, but it has to be done by someone, and they're LISTENING to you, which means you're doing it right.

Hugs!

Twistie

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Someone's mother just told me I made her daughter cry, yesterday.

The kid had run in, hugged a friend, and gone to the elevator. I didn't see her face, and she said that she was visiting her mother without a) saying who her mother was or b) turning around. I called her back, made her miss her elevator car, and established that she didn't need a card.

There were at least 15 other people in the lobby, most of them kids, and all of them talking at top volume. I'd already had other kids try to sneak in. In one way I feel sorry for her, but on some level I feel that she's being unreasonable. I'm 42; she's 10. The kid wins.

Re: Meanies, Blue and otherwise

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's like how women of a certain age adore me. I can be punked out, have hot pink hair, or weird shiny boots and they still think I'm a dear. Go with the flow.