Wow.

There is a class offered through the City Of Burlington which is called "Little Chefs" for ages 3-5. I was quite excited to enroll Paige in this class one day, especially since it coordinates with a class for 1 year olds, and I could take her baby sister one day. Well, no more. The same ladies have always taught it from what I remember seeing, and today we witnessed something that I didn't think was right.

As Paige and I were lingering behind in our class, as per usual, the Little Chefs people came in. A little girl got upset about her chair and the instructor proceeded to drag a chair loudly a few meters away and force the girl to sit in it saying, "Sit here until you stop crying!" 1980's Care Bear show style. I was quite shocked. I didn't think that this was how kids were disciplined in this class. I mean, I'm not sure if this girl had been a big nightmare all day, and if this was the last straw, but it just didn't seem right. It makes me sad to think that if Paige had a bad day at a class that an instructor would lose it on her.

I actually did register Paige in a class for the next session called "On My Own". I go to the first class and then wean myself out. It helps to transition the kids to going to classes fully on their own. I thought it was good timing since she will be 3 in the summer and the 3 yr old programs are all for kids without their moms. Not to mention, I will have the baby sometime during the session and I will be able to drop Paige off and wait outside with the baby to occupy my time. Not to worry though, we know the instructor and Paige really likes her. No chair slamming and yelling. I'm not sure who will handle the class worse, Paige or myself. We'll see who cries first...Paige wanting her mommy, or mommy peering in the room to see Paige playing nicely with other kids all by herself. I thought the class may help her to learn to socialize nicely without my intervention.