March 2024 SOLC–Day 23
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She approached me with tears in her eyes, clearly distraught.
I leaned down. “Oh, no. What’s wrong, B?”
She choked out the words, “There’s a booger. And it’s stuck in my nose. And I can’t get it out!” Her voice rose as she spoke, and a tear spilled over and ran down her cheek.
“Oh,” I repeated. “Well, that happens sometimes,” I reassured her. “Did you try blowing?”
“Yes. Once.”
“Well, do you think you can try again?” I asked.
The tears streamed down her face, and more words gushed out
“But I tried to pull it out and it won’t come out when I try to pull it.”
I paused.
“Did you put anything up your nose?” I asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?” I pressed, thinking of past experiences and the allure of pencil eraser tops.
“Yes.”
I was at a bit of a loss at this point, unsure what was going on.
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
She shook her head, and offered a forlorn little, “No.”
“Well, why don’t you just let it be for a little bit? Maybe it’s a little like a loose tooth and will come out when it’s ready. ” (Ew! And, yes, I really said that. Desperate times and all…although, it did feel a bit inspired. As a second grader, she was sure to understand that analogy.)
She looked at me doubtfully, but the flow of tears was ebbing, and she didn’t seem quite as upset.
“Ok, B, why don’t you try blowing once or twice more, and then if that doesn’t work, give it some time. Do you think that could be the plan?”
She nodded.
“I’ll check in with you later, ok? Or you can tell me if it gets worse.”
“OK,” she said, and turned away to head to the tissues, wiping the tears off her cheeks.
The day moved on, and I didn’t hear from her about this again. Later when I checked in, she was smiling and confirmed that everything was okay. I didn’t ask for details.
This was one for the books.
Then I remembered the poem I’d shared with my class earlier this week. Could it be related? Surely not!
Nix the comfort zone 
Oh! The things we hear, the problems we solve, and the words that come out of our mouths. You just never know!!! I’m glad this one worked out!
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It was a new one for me. I am quite glad that the situation resolved without any more intervention!
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Write down these stories – they are special – always.
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Some days the story fountain is wide open. This day was one of those, and I had many stories to choose from. It’s fun to try to capture them.
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HA! I love the dialogue you included of your way to try to problem solve with this child. It’s amazing what we find ourselves dealing with!
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Isn’t it?!
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And this is why I could never teach elementary school! I would have no idea how to handle this situation with such grace. It’s so much easier to tell teen girls where they can find the tampons in your desk when they’re in crisis mode or offer to send them to the counselor’s office. That poem is rather scary now that I think about it.
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I’d take boogers over tampons any day! lol
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Once again, you have crafted a Slice that clearly shows why you are an amazing elementary teacher AND why I could never, ever do it!! Give me the snarky teenagers any day….boogers might be my kryptonite!
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Elementary school teaching offers so many delights to offset the boogers 🙂
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Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you handled it perfectly!
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I was thankful when the situation resolved without any more tears or drama or a visit to the nurse.
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This is hilarious. I love your patience and understanding with this child, but I can only imagine your inner dialogue. You crafted a heartwarming and humorous post. I agree, this is one for the books.
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I debated about including that inner dialogue! Believe me, it was going full throttle! lol
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Well that’s a new one and one for the books, or a slice- perfect! And, a blast from the past the Shel Silverstein poem. Thanks for sharing.
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Shel Silverstein is the best and has captured the heart of my most mischievous students. He’s makes being naughty poetic!
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Ha! I 100% relate to this entire slice. Perfectly captured! Boogers play WAY more of a role in my teaching life than I ever imagined they could.
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Sometimes this little voice in my head says, “Wait! This is your life!?” lol
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I just love 2nd graders! You captured that moment so well. And the punch line poem was pure genius!
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I started to worry that my poem sharing had created a bit of the problem–or at least some of the unexpected drama.
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I was thinking of that very poem as I was reading your story about poor B, and yes, the tooth comparison is genius! Then I doubled over laughing when I saw the poem. It’s always a fun one to read out loud when I sub! LOL LOL
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I chose to share this poem with my class when one of my students chose to stick her finger up another student’s nose during a game of statues. The fun never stops! lol
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haha…you can’t make this stuff up!
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Thanks for the chuckle! The joys of teaching young kids! :-) I especially liked the ending, when you checked in with her, but didn’t ask for details.
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I definitely did NOT need those details!
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Molly, what a great story! I loved it. And that poem. That could be a scary connection for B. And I do think the loose tooth and loose booger analogy is inspired!
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Thanks! Somehow relating teeth and boogers feels a bit icky, but it was apt.
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Ohhh bless her! Only teachers and moms would understand this. 🙂 You handled it perfectly!
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Thanks! I was questioning myself the whole time and not sure where I was going next if the situation didn’t resolve. So thankful it did!
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