The "F" word - Now and Then

~~~NOW~~~

Yesterday Bub and I received quite a shock when we opened Kaylea's school agenda and found this note from her teacher, "Kaylea said the 'F' word 'f_ _k' today. A student heard her say it and then started telling the other students in the class. I asked Kaylea if she said it and she said, 'yes.' She said that her aunt and dad say this word a lot"

Bub and I were quite stunned and confused after reading the note. But before I go any further I must say that I am the last parent you will ever hear saying, "NOT MY CHILD -- SHE WOULD NEVER DO THAT!" There have been very few things that Kaylea has done in her life that have truly shocked me, but I have to say, this was SO NOT Kaylea. She has always instictively known which words were "bad" and has never spoke one. Second, Bub does NOT say this word either. It is one that we do not use. Now Auntie, yes she has been known to drop the "F-Bomb" when she gets a little over passionate about her topic. But, Kaylea has always known that this word was totally inappropriate. Needless to say, we wanted to find out exactly what happened; what was said; when it was said; etc.

I immediately drove to the church and got Kaylea and brought her home for the formal inquisition. Upon receiving the third degree, this was Kaylea's side of the story, "The word was written in K's (her friend) locker. K pointed it out to me and I only read the word out loud. I didn't say it; I only READ it, and you know I always read out loud, Mom! Then when Mrs. T. asked me about it, she didn't let me explain. She even shushed K when she tried to explain. Then she asked me who in my family says this word."

Obviously, we had a pretty legitimate explanation from Kaylea, so I wrote a note to her teacher explaining Kaylea's side of the story (since, obviously she hadn't been given that opportunity yesterday). In my letter I asked Mrs. T to verify that the word was in fact written in K's locker because Bub and I wanted to make sure Kaylea was being honest before we decided what type of punishment would be appropriate. I, also, went on to explain that contrary to what Kaylea said yesterday, this word is not one that we use freely in our home.

When I picked up Kaylea from school today, I immediately asked her what happened when Mrs. T. read my letter. Kaylea said that Mrs. T. asked her and K if the word was written in K's locker. Both girls said, "yes!" Then Mrs. T. took the girls to K's locker and looked for herself. Of course there is was staring back at her, blinding her with its vulgarity. Mrs. T.'s only response was, "Well, I will notify the office and have this removed from your locker." Nothing else was said or done. I didn't get a response to my letter, nothing! I can't believe that she would take the time, as the kids were getting packed to go home yesterday, to write this note letting me know that my child dropped the "F-Bomb" and corrupted all of the kids in the class, yet she can't find the time in a whole entire school day to write me a quick note to let me know that my child was being honest in her explanation about what happened.

To say that I am a little miffed would be quite an understatement. For some reason I am thinking that this is going to be a LONG year.



~~~THEN~~~

Kaylea was in Kindergarten and her class was lining up for lunch. A little boy came running up to me and said, "Ms. J., Kaylea said the "F" word." Again, I was in shock, but the wide eyed little boy had me convinced that my little Kbug had spent one too many days with her Auntie. I immediately went up to Kaylea and asked, "What did you just say?" To which I got the typical 6 year old response, "Hugh? Idunno?" I got eye to eye with her and said, "Brady said you just said the 'F' word. What did you say?!?" Kaylea got a real confused look on her face and said, "Fart?" I swear I almost lost it and ya know I remember thinking at that moment, if "fart" is the worse "F" word that my child ever says, I will be pretty lucky!

Man, I wish we could go back to Kindergarten.