In Ireland, we do a thing called “Transition Year”, a year in school where fifteen- and sixteen-year-olds do work experience rather than study for tests. When I was sixteen, I did my work experience in a childcare facility for a couple of weeks, and everyone was super nice, apart from one mother.

I had a suspicion that [Mother] didn’t really like me that much, and I didn’t know why. She did small, passive-aggressive actions toward me, like refusing to talk to me unless absolutely necessary — and even then she was rude — and going out of her way to make work harder for me.

Then, one day, [Mother] was collecting her daughter. As she was just about to leave the nursery, her daughter asked:

Daughter: “Mammy, why does [My Name] have a hand like a crab?”

I am slightly disabled in my left hand. I was born with no fingers but got two toes stitched onto it. I usually don’t mind when kids ask this; they’re very curious, and I just tell them that I was born with it, but it doesn’t affect me in any way. I’m still me.

Anyway, after her daughter asked, [Mother] proudly and snarkily replied in a louder tone so I could hear it at the other end of the hallway.

Mother: “That’s because [My Name] spent too long on his iPad and never ate his veggies!”

And she shut the door of the facility.

Unfortunately, it was my last day working, so I couldn’t do much, but I did tell the manager the whole story. (She already knew [Mother] didn’t like me.) I don’t know what happened to [Mother] or if she got kicked out of the nursery. Hopefully, she did, though.

I work in a daycare that’s connected to a complex with a mall, a gym, and offices. A customer comes in looking for his son.

Me: “Which one is yours?”

Customer: “His name is Jeff.”

Me: “Oh, we actually have three of those today!”

Customer: “Mine’s the one that looks like you wouldn’t be surprised if he ate dirt.”

Me: “Oh… Well, a family name might work better.”

We look up the right Jeff, and a coworker brings him over.

Jeff: “Dad!”

Customer: “Hey there, buddy. Did you have fun while Daddy was working?”

Jeff: “Yeah! I found a bug, and guess what?! I didn’t eat it!” 

Customer: *Walking away with his son* “Progress, buddy. Progress…”

I work at a daycare. On what was supposed to be my day off, the owner called me in and asked me to cover for a worker who had cancelled without warning. Fortunately, I didn’t have anything major booked, so I was able to take over, but I was still frustrated at having my “me” day interrupted.

I later found out that [Coworker] had been drunk that day… at 9:00 am. When he was questioned about it, we got this response.

Coworker: “I’m not gonna say I had a good reason to be drunk, but I think I’m justified in saying that I shouldn’t be around kids while drunk.”

He was fired, but I personally think he has a point.

I work in a daycare. I wake up early in the morning with the stomach bug that’s been going around. I call the daycare as soon as they open to let them know I won’t be able to come in. 

Me: “Hi, [Receptionist], I have the stomach bug, so I won’t be able to come in today.”

Receptionist: *Sigh* “This is highly inconvenient. We need you in.”

Me: “I understand, and I apologize for the short notice, but I am very unwell. I’ve been throwing up every hour since 2:00 am.”

Receptionist: “Doesn’t matter. Either get a doctor’s note or get to work.”

Me: “I’m not driving anywhere. It would be unsafe for me to do so.”

Receptionist: “Ask someone to drive you in. You are needed at work.”

I take a long pause.

Me: “Give me a second.”

I grab another device so I can start recording.

Me: “All right, I’m back. I just want to make sure we’re both on the same page. I’m recording the rest of our conversation so there’s no confusion. Would you mind repeating that you are saying that I need to come into work and be around babies while puking my guts out with a probably highly contagious illness?”

Now [Receptionist] takes a long pause.

Receptionist: “We’ll figure something out. Stay home and feel better soon.”

I work with four-year-olds. This happened yesterday.

Girl: “You’re the best teacher! I love you more than cake!”

Me: “Aww. Do you love cake?”

Girl: “No, I don’t like cake at all.”