Don't Mess with the Green Team.

Yesterday I had an eye opening experience at work, and instead of verbally telling everybody about it, I'm going to write it out one more time here and direct people to it so that they can read it for themselves. Here it goes:

Yesterday at work, after I had gotten there, I found out that my direct supervisor wasn't going to be there, and that my co-worker "Bob" would be in charge for the day, this didn't sit well with me from the beginning of my shift. However, I am not one to complain about stuff like that, I do what I'm told and handle my business, while at work that is. Nonetheless, we are going through our normal routine: giving the kids their cards, getting snack, going to the gameroom, etc. When we get to the game room, before my assistant leader got there, I was informed that my assistant would be with the Purple team for the duration of the day, I naturally asked why... Not really important, but that lead to him, "Bob", informing me that he would be helping me, and rotating amongst the other groups (this is when the anger started).

*Back story* "Bob" is normally with the Gold Team, but has filled in with the Purple Team as well... "Sally" was back yesterday, and she is the Gold Team Leader. */Back story*

Now, "Bob" isn't a bad guy, I don't think; his intentions seem pure, but he was about to cross a line that shouldn't have been crossed.... Here it goes again:

We were lined up in the hallway, getting ready to go into the computer lab to play some games online, which is a part of our rotation. We were walking towards the computer lab, and from behind me, towards the back of the line I hear "Bob" say, "Who's talking?" Now, under normal circumstances talking isn't an issue. We were walking in line, to the computer lab, kids talk, especially mine who happen to be in kindergarten and first grade. Then, the struggle continues in the computer lab. The kids were sitting there, playing the various games, having various issues, and were talking to their selves and each other. "Bob" was at the corner desk, talking on the phone, setting up something, and telling my kids that they were being too loud, that he couldn't hear the people on the phone.... I was a little peeved at this, and instead of dealing with it I merely talked loudly too, out of anger, which is never the right thing to do. Then, our time in the computer lab was done, and we take care of bathroom breaks and stuff, and make our way to the cafeteria for art, here's where I got really upset... We were working on coloring some stockings to hang up for Christmas, I had passed out crayons and papers in order to do the craft. One of my boys, was just sitting there, which under normal circumstances is fine with me (we have like 40 minutes to do a 10 minute craft). So, "Bob" comes up behind him and asks him why he isn't coloring, he replies "They won't share the crayons." So, "Bob" rudely points out that there were crayons right in front of him, that he could use, and being cornered in such a situation this particular boy doesn't do well with pressure. So, "Bob" keeps pushing him to color, and even threatens to sit him in time out if he isn't going to color. At this point, my boy starts crying, and I don't mean crocodile tears, they are streaming down his face. I couldn't take it, so I take him out of the cafeteria in order to calm him down and reasure him that he didn't do anything wrong, and wouldn't you know, he had a crayon in his hand.... I was rather angry at this point. However, there is one more piece to this puzzle.

After sharing this with my co-worker and "confidant" of sorts, I had calmed down a bit. Then, on Thursdays we stay late to help with "child care" for classes and such held at the school. My co-worker had asked him about making my boy cry, and so he blames me for not telling him he was a sensitive kid. It's my fault that he made him cry, because I didn't tell him he would do so. That was the very last straw. I didn't want to take it, but I did. That's one of the most rediculous things I've ever heard... he didn't cry because he is sensitive, he cried because you yelled at him for not coloring.... I don't know, retelling this story merely makes me more angry than when I began. So, just in case this isn't as articulate as it could be, here's a rundown of the rules my team broke through the course of our day yesterday:

1) No Talking in Line
2) Do not show excitement or talk loudly while using the computers
3) You must immediately start working on a craft as soon as you are presented with the materials
4) The group leader is required to inform any new assistants of sensitive kids, so the disciplinary actions will be handled accordingly.

So, if you're ever working at the Boys and Girls Club, remember these things... we are training the young ones to be soldier like, and have complete adherence to structure. Walking in straight lines, no talking in line, sitting perfectly still with legs crossed/hands in lap, is the way things needs to be done!! No questions asked!!

We'll see about that one!!

It's on!!

* The names were left out to protect identity of other co-workers and children involved.