
A three-year-old throws tantrums and begs his mother not to go to daycare. Worried, she goes in unannounced and what she sees shocks her.
“No, mommy, no!” Johnny threw himself on the floor and started screaming. Marla Evans sighed. Not again! She looked at her watch. If he threw a full tantrum, she would be late yet again.
She gazed at her three-year-old with exasperation. Johnny had been going to daycare for two years and always loved it. For the last week, out of the blue, he’d been making a scene, begging Marla not to take him.

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She’d spoken to her pediatrician, and the doctor had told her that toddlers often went through the ‘terrible threes.’ “Stop it!” Marla heard herself scream, then she saw the look of fear in her son’s eyes. Something wasn’t right.
Marla sat down on the floor next to Johnny and coaxed him into her lap. He sobbed, pressing his little face against hers. Marla decided this was more than a tantrum, but what could be wrong?
“Honey,” Marla said gently. “I’m sorry. Mommy didn’t mean to snap.” She rocked him until he stopped crying and asked gently, “Why don’t you like daycare anymore?”
Raising a child is about setting and respecting boundaries.
Johnny shivered in her arms and whispered, “I don’t like!”
“But why, sweetie?” Marla asked. “Are the other kids mean?” But Johnny wouldn’t answer. Marla sighed. “Baby, mommy needs to go to work, but I tell you what… I’m going to come and get you from daycare early today, OK?”

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Johnny sat up in her lap. “No lunch?” He looked up at her anxiously. “No lunch, mommy?”
Lunch? The worried mom frowned. What was happening with her son?
Marla dropped Johnny off after promising she’d fetch him before lunch. He walked into the daycare quietly but threw Marla a pleading look that left her heartbroken.
She went to work and asked her boss for the afternoon off to deal with a personal issue. Thankfully, her boss was a mom too and understood!
Marla was determined to get to the bottom of Johnny’s reluctance to go to daycare. She decided to drop in — not before lunchtime as she promised Johnny — but during the meal.
Johnny’s daycare didn’t allow the parents into the children’s playrooms or the dining room, but each door of the facility had a large, clear glass window. Hopefully, Marla would be able to see what — if anything — was going on.
When she arrived, the receptionist told her the children were having lunch. Marla walked to the dining room and peered in. The kids were all sitting at their tables, eating.

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A teacher or an assistant supervised each table. Marla quickly spotted Johnny. There was a woman Marla didn’t recognize sitting next to him.
As Marla watched, the woman picked up Johnny’s spoon, scooped up a portion of mashed potatoes, and pressed it against his lips. “Eat!” she cried. Johnny shook his head violently, his mouth firmly closed, tears running down his cheeks.
“Open your mouth and eat!” the woman said angrily. Johnny was looking deeply distressed. The woman cried, “You are going to sit here until you clear your plate!”
Marla saw a small portion of mince, mash, and vegetables left on Johnny’s plate, and she knew her son. Johnny was not a big eater; she never pushed it when he told her he’d had enough.
Johnny opened his mouth to protest, and the teacher quickly pushed the spoon in. Marla saw her son choke and sputter. She’d had enough! She opened the door and stormed in.
“Get away from my son!” she cried.

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The woman looked up, and her mouth hung open. “Parents aren’t allowed in the dining room!” she cried.
“Then they should be,” Marla said, reining in her anger. “Can’t you see Johnny’s had enough? He’s a healthy boy, but he is not a big eater. As an educator, you should know how traumatic force-feeding a child can be.
“Being forced to clean up the plate is an old-fashioned notion. You should be aware of the statistics and the causes of obesity and eating disorders in children.
“And one of them is making food an issue! My little boy is an active child, and if he feels he’s had enough, you need to respect that and not force him to eat.
“As for shoving food into a child’s mouth in that way, it is reprehensible! You should certainly know better. These children are not puppets for you to manipulate at will!
“They are little people with needs and a will of their own. If you don’t respect their boundaries, you teach them they don’t deserve respect. I don’t think that is a message you want to pass on!”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
The teacher flushed a bright red and got to her feet. “I never…” she cried.
“That’s a pity,” Marla said crisply. “Because if this happens again, I will ensure you are out of a job! I’m not sending my son to daycare to be brutalized!”
Marla walked over to Johnny and tenderly wiped his mouth. “Come on, honey,” she said gently. “Mommy promised you a treat this afternoon!”
Marla had a long talk with Johnny, and there was no tantrum the next morning. Over the next few weeks, she popped into the daycare at lunch times just to keep an eye on things.
The teacher never forced Johnny to eat again, and the boy recovered his good humor and enthusiasm.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
What can we learn from this story?
- Children and their boundaries should be respected. Johnny’s teacher was teaching him that adults had the right to impose their will on children against their welfare.
- Raising a child is about setting and respecting boundaries — theirs and ours. A child whose boundaries are not respected is insecure and has low self-esteem.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a little boy who learns all about love by watching how his father treats his mother.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Celine Dion Reveals Her Problem

In addition to giving her fans a major health update, Celine Dion announced that she would be delaying some of her tour dates until 2024.
A Message from Celine to You
“I’ve been dealing with health issues for quite some time, and it has been an immense challenge for me to confront these obstacles and discuss the journey I’ve been on,” Celine wrote in a poignant post on Instagram. She stated quite frankly that she will not be prepared to continue her European tour in February as originally scheduled.
A More Detailed Exam of Celine’s Health
Celine went on to describe her health in more detail, revealing that stiff person syndrome is a neurological ailment for which she has been diagnosed. Her illness is resulting in severe and incapacitating muscular spasms. It seems sense that Celine is giving her recuperation and wellbeing top priority by taking the required time.
Postponed Tour Dates
Fans may be disappointed by the announcement of the rearranged tour dates, but it’s evident that Celine’s health continues to come first. She is determined to make sure she fully recovers before going back on stage, as seen by her choice to postpone the European tour until 2024.
An Endearing Expression of Thanks
Celine thanked her fans for their steadfast support despite the difficulties she is now enduring. “I’m incredibly thankful for your love and understanding as I navigate through this difficult time,” she said in acknowledgment. This message demonstrates the close bond she has with her fan base.
Gazing Forward
Fans of Celine are supporting her with love and encouragement while she takes the time necessary to attend to her health issues. Fans are excitedly awaiting Celine’s victorious return to the stage since it is clear that her tenacity and willpower are just as amazing as her musical ability.
Assistance and Motivation
Fans and fellow artists have shown their support for Celine following her health update. The music business and her fans are aware of how important it is to put one’s health and wellbeing first.
Adaptability in the Face of Difficulties
Celine Dion’s experience with health issues serves as a reminder of her tenacity, which is what makes her unique. Even for a megastar of her caliber, her choice to postpone tour dates is a heartbreaking reminder of how important it is to take care of oneself.
Continue to Communicate
Fans may follow Celine on official platforms and social media as she sets out on her recuperation trip. Her perseverance and courage will surely inspire a great number of people who could also be dealing with health issues.
Wishing You Healing
Let’s band together to send Celine Dion our best wishes for recovery as she navigates the challenges presented by stiff person syndrome. Her experience serves as a reminder to all of us of the value of perseverance and self-care, and her bravery and candor continue to touch hearts around the globe.
A Consistent Signal of Assistance
To spread the love and support for Celine Dion, forward this update to your other friends and supporters. She continues to be a source of inspiration and strength for all of us as she makes these vital moves toward her recovery.
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