The Beginning

Up until the age of 18 months, Jitter Bug was a happy, cherub faced angel with curly blonde hair, blue eyes and the most beautiful laugh. He had always been more sensitive than his oldest brother, a little clingier with me, but he received rave reviews from our GP at every check up and family and friends were just as smitten with him as we were.

Enter Daycare. On our first visit to the center, the director took us down to the basement where the gym is. I was charmed by the heritage building the centre was located in, it was the first school built in our city. My older son (we’ll call him Spot, for reasons kept only to me) had attended 2 years previously for a bit of time, and I had loved the staff, plus my grandmother went to school there and I liked that sense of history and community the place held. Anyways we walked into the gym and they suggested I let Jitter Bug walk amongst his fellow toddlers. If I had known then what I know now. Word to the wise, when you’re child care centre has 2 age groups running in a tight space all wily nilly and they suggest your child-on his first visit- join in, it’s probably not the place you want to enroll in. Jitter Bug walked right into the group, decided on a toy xylophone to settle in with, sat down and was immediately ambushed by a 3 year old who wanted the xylophone. So he bit her. My sweet little angel had not been there 5 minutes and he bit someone. He had never done this before, and I know now that this was his way of coping with an anxiety ridden situation for which he was not prepared, and did not have the words for.

Of course the early intervention worker took one look at him and decided This boy must have severe social emotional instabilities. Never mind that this was his first experience around that many children. Never mind that this was his first experience at day care. He was labelled from that day on and has been ever since. It only took one bite. It would have been helpful if our society still didn't carry preconceived ideas about special needs and mental health. But they do and it sometimes seems always will