We started documenting it and my director eventually talked to the parents about it.....they were furious and pulled her from the center almost immediately.
So now I work with this little girls mother. She obviously remembers me from the daycare and although we have spoke about the center we have not spoken about why they left or anything about the incident.
Yesterday while in the office she and I got into a discussion about that center and all she said is they weren't happy there and she thought it was a snobby place.
To me the incident with her daughter is like the elephant in the room....the topic we are both likely thinking about but are too uncomfortable to bring up. I feel like I personally owe her an apology for it, especially since I was the one who signed many of the forms we had to document.
Do I bring it up or just let it go?
I would let this particular sleeping dog lie unless and until she specifically broaches it herself. Which I'm guessing will be never.
And never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be. ― Sarah McMane
She may not even be thinking about it... May have had other reasons for taking the girl from daycare that coincided with the incident... Or maybe that was it.
I think I'd just let it go for now.
I'd let it go unless you think the little girl is in harm's way.
WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs. XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).
I edit often for clarity/typos.
I guess if it really bothered her still she would not talk to me at all, which isnt the case. We actually get along quite well, which makes me feel even worse.
As a parent I can understand why she and her husband would be upset and angry....but unfortunately we were all just doing our job.
I would keep your interactions with her professional. The fact that you already know so much about her personal life could feel very intrusive to her. It's her kid. It's her apparent discomfort. If she wants to bring it up, that's her choice. The kindest thing you can do is to leave her alone about it, and by your actions, make it very evident that you aren't the type of person who is going to gossip about her or tell others in the office about her personal life, you know? That's what I'd be worried about if I were in her shoes - less that it's awkward with you, and more what you could be saying to other coworkers about her.
It's evident from your post that you don't judge this family, and that you understand what happened is natural, but not everyone would view it that way (case in point: there were immediate, and reasonable, questions on this thread about abuse - she might worry you think the same thing), but she doesn't know you well enough to have confidence that you aren't the judging or the gossiping type.
Bringing it up is just going to make things more awkward, and make you look unprofessional, IMO. Keep work about work, and let your professionalism and actions speak for themselves and I think the awkwardness will go away as she sees by actions that you are someone who won't make her life uncomfortable.
If she brings it up, than she's the one who opened that can of worms, not you.
How old was this child? I have never seen a child do that, ever.
