hello, I’m new and today I was fired.
It began last Saturday. It was an event for children, and I have done many before with good results. I’ve also enjoyed them. Last Saturday was horrible and I am feeling very upset, angry and confused— despite it being explained to me what went wrong.
The event was split for six hours for different age and ability ranges. Unfortunately, my colleague and I had to deal with a child that was not suited for the event. The child was feral. He vandalized property to the extent of severely damaging several pieces of equipment and also attacking one of the other kids viciously with equipment. His mother was called several times to handle her child but she didn’t take the necessary steps that I guess you’d expect a reasonable person to do. After refusing to participate, further damages and overall awkwardness that prevented other kids to participate and enjoy the event, my colleague had had enough, so I volunteered to take over. It did not work. I gave the option to play or time out and didn’t get a response. And earns me a kick. I walked away to focus on the other kid who wanted to play and the next thing I knew was that the mother comes on, is in my personal space screaming at me. She would not stop shouting and yelling insults at me. So I snapped and yelled at her to get off. Whilst she’s still going on, with more insults and cussing at me.
I know that it’s not the best response to give, and after talking about it by saying this, I gave her ammunition to Have something tangible to complain about. But her behavior was also wrong. And while I’ve spoken about this to explore what went wrong and learning from it and stuff, I don’t understand what gives someone the right to speak to someone (me in this case) like that when it all could have been avoided if she had parented properly and removed her kid.
The rest of the hour went by and then that section was finished. I was organizing for the next lot when this man approached me, asked to speak to me, took me aside and blocked me into a corner before identifying himself as the father. I got pretty much the same that his wife gave me except more personally directed insults and giving me the *f word. Whilst backing me into a corner and jabbing his finger violently in my face. When I told him not to swear at me, he said that he could do whatever he wanted. I was fearful that he was going to hit me. Anyway, another father approached and thanked me for the time I spent with his child, that his child enjoyed it...and that broke me. I cried and ran away but was not allowed to leave to go home until the end of the event.
Since then I’ve gone through everything. Analyzing everything over and over. And all who I’ve spoken with think the parents were out of order. We spent almost two hours focusing on one child when there were several more during that slot. Despite the violence to others and property, and the parental refusal to do anything about it. And yet, today it seems that the place of work supports abuse of it staff.
I have worked with difficult parents and children before and I have never had any issues or verbal abuse and physical intimidation before last weekend. I’ve worked with on the spectrum kids and various other disabilities and needs. Whilst it can be trying at times, I’ve learnt to be diplomatic. I thought so anyway...
So I have been fired. Because of what happened. I don’t know if there was a written complaint but anyway, I’m no longer allowed to do these events. Despite the previous ones that went well.... so I’m confused. I’m upset. I’m angry. And I’ve hurt myself because of it, I feel such a deep feeling of depression in me.
I’ve always tried to do my best in anything I do. My boss has purposefully chosen to ignore all the good things and has focused on one. I could have been as bad as them, but all I did was give the kid a time out. Why am I being punished when it is these people who are wrong? Why is it okay to verbally abuse someone? Fortunately my family (dad and sibling) are just as angry but I’ve been told to just let it go and take it as a learning experience. But I can’t get over this. I had a meltdown Saturday evening when I got back home and have been emotionally unstable since. And this firing is just another knock. I’m done with people.
Thank you for reading this long post/rant.
-moomin
