When the school calls...

Grandparent WARNING: Unpleasant picture attached

It's never really a good thing when your child's school calls during the day. It normally doesn't mean they want to tell you how great things are going. I had a 9:30 meeting this morning and when I finished, I had a missed call from Maddy's school and an email from Matt. The email from Matt started with - Ms. Stephanie called and another child bit Maddy in the face. I think that's all I read of the email because I was in shock. WHAT?!?! Someone bit Maddy in the FACE??? How does that even happen? I know toddlers sometimes bite but in the FACE??

So, the story goes like this: Maddy was stretched out on a large yellow pillow that is apparently a class favorite. The teacher says it's large enough for three of them to share and normally they all lay on it together. Today, another little girl who was having a grumpy day, wanted the pillow and wasn't too interested in sharing it with Maddy. So, when Maddy didn't surrender the pillow, the little girl leaned over and left her teeth marks in Maddy's jaw. The school did everything right. Cleaned her face, applied an ice pack to help with the SWELLING, loved on our little one and then called to inform us of the incident. The skin wasn't broken so medical attention was not required but an "incident report" was sent home for our signature. This all sounds so official as I'm typing and it also sounds so silly but biting in schools is big business these days. Some places have a three strikes and you're out rule.

So, mark this one down as a first. First call from school to say our child has an injury inflicted by another child. The good news, Maddy didn't retaliate. The teacher says she was in shock and didn't even know how to react which makes us feel good - to know that her first reaction wasn't to punch the other little girl in the nose. Of course, the other parents feel awful and I can sympathize with that because I would be mortified if Maddy did that to another child.

A few people told us the mark will sometimes last for a week and goes from red to bruised - good thing school pictures are done!

Note: Matt picked her up today and when he saw her face, he told her she could have anything she wanted for dinner. Fried chicken and french fries were requested. :)

Hopefully tomorrow will be a little less eventful. Until then........