When I Lost my Job…Twice

I’ve been fired twice in my life; both times by preschoolers. The first time, I had told 4-year-old Neil that he couldn’t be on the indoor climbing structure because there was no one available to watch him. We exchanged the following words:

Neil: Alex, you’re out of a job! (He walked towards the door of the school.)

Me: Where are you going?

Neil: I’m running away. I’m going home.

Me: How are you going to get there? Are you going to drive?

Neil: Yes.

Me: Do you have a license?

Neil: No.

Me: Well, you can’t drive without a license, you know.

Neil: That’s okay. I’ll drive where no police are.

File that under preschooler themes: power, control, and self-confidence.

The second time I was fired, I didn’t even have a conversation. I found a note next to where I had been working at the art table. It simply said, “You are fired” (see photo). Harsh.

The good news is, I was able to get my job back both times. Preschoolers can be scathing, but also forgiving. Whew!