1. Write a blog post about a time you quit something.
I worked at a childcare center called Children’s World when I was in college and it was one of the worst centers I’ve ever been affiliated with. I was on the 6am – 3pm shift, but often stayed as late as they needed me because we were so low-staffed.
We would literally have people show up for their first day on the job only to have them disappear on their lunch break. One teacher called it Children’s Hell because the kids behavior was so outrageous. I felt really pleased to have been a lead teacher in the school-age classroom within my first year of working and when I was asked to take over the 4-year-old classroom for the first half of the day I really felt like my ability to tame rowdy children had finally been recognized.
Parents, when a 19-year-old girl is your child’s lead teacher let that be a red flag to you. I did a fine job, but most certainly the head teacher of a classroom should have some kind of experience under her belt.
I was overworked and underappreciated at this daycare, but I liked having a paycheck and I really liked working with some of the other teachers in the building.
My problem occurred when my college volleyball season started and we were scheduled for a tournament in Arizona that I simply forgot to give notice for. The trip crept up and my boss had no idea it was on the horizon. I knew she didn’t have any staff prepared to cover my absence…so I quit.
Common sense says I could have “done the right thing” and just told her that I made a mistake, hadn’t thought things through and that I had to leave, but would be back in a few days…but that would have been too…honest.
Instead, I managed to pull up all the angry feelings I had about the job and on my way out confronted my boss about how I just couldn’t do this anymore, I wasn’t appreciated, everything was too hard, people were rude, etc etc “I’m OUT OF HERE!”
I wasn’t prepared for my boss to beg me to stay and deep down in my fake angry little heart I felt terrible. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I was in too deep…I had to stick to my guns.
“No, I’m just…I can’t TAKE IT anymore. I have to go.”
It was the worst self-firing ever and I’m still embarrassed about it, but the Grand Canyon was amazing.
Now it’s your turn!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1. Write a blog post about a time you quit something.
2. Tell us about your first car.
3. Write about a celebrity death that hit you harder than you would have expected.
4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: final.
5. Throwback Thursday: Choose a photo from a previous April and write a poem or a blog post.
6. Show us what Spring looks like in your neck of the woods.
Claire S says
I thought about doing this prompt but thinking about the two places I quit after a very short time made me sound like I don’t stick to things. I quit Baskin-Robbins after 2 weeks and a job with a non-profit after only one week. But then I got a job I was at for 13 years so…
bev nickerson says
One of my first jobs after I got married was in a Child Care center next door to the apartment complex we lived in. A neighbor friend worked there already and got me in. I’d never done it before. I spent the first 3 weeks constantly sick and headachy from. I didn’t love the experience, but if I’m in a job, I do my best at it. I was only there a few months–spring until fall maybe. I was fired. Not for a good reason. The bossy head lady didn’t like a bulletin board I’d artistically decorated and made a sarcastic remark I interpreted as humor, but, looking back, what she meant by that bit of sarcasm is hated my bulletin board and wanted it redone. I didn’t get that at all and the next day was promptly fired. I crossed “Daycare worker” off my list of employment I ever wanted to do again.
Patty says
It’s funny about how many of us pull the plug on a difficult job situation. Sometimes, it’s the only thing to do. Others, well, some of us hang on with a fair amount of determination to ride out the work storm. Like me. Have been doing it for about 30 years.
Guess I’m a glutton for punishment but, in my work world, I’ve attempted to override quite a bit because I enjoy the familiar faces from the clientele I’ve come to know. Of course, I’ve tried to make the situation better by imparting whatever business wisdom I’ve racked up but…it’s been like shoveling “poop: into the tide, as that expression goes.
Good for you with making the right decision!
Abby says
“…but the Grand Canyon was amazing”
Well, there ya go.
It’s scary to think how many “bad” daycares there are out there. I’m sure your supervisor was sad to see you go.
John Holton says
You were the head teacher at 19? No wonder they were sorry to see you go…