A three-year-old throws tantrums and begs his mother not to go to daycare. Worried, she goes in unannounced and what she sees shocks her.
“No, mommy, no!” Johnny threw himself on the floor and started screaming. Marla Evans sighed. Not again! She looked at her watch. If he threw a full tantrum, she would be late yet again.
She gazed at her three-year-old with exasperation. Johnny had been going to daycare for two years and always loved it. For the last week, out of the blue, he’d been making a scene, begging Marla not to take him.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
She’d spoken to her pediatrician, and the doctor had told her that toddlers often went through the ‘terrible threes.’ “Stop it!” Marla heard herself scream, then she saw the look of fear in her son’s eyes. Something wasn’t right.
Marla sat down on the floor next to Johnny and coaxed him into her lap. He sobbed, pressing his little face against hers. Marla decided this was more than a tantrum, but what could be wrong?
“Honey,” Marla said gently. “I’m sorry. Mommy didn’t mean to snap.” She rocked him until he stopped crying and asked gently, “Why don’t you like daycare anymore?”
Raising a child is about setting and respecting boundaries.
Johnny shivered in her arms and whispered, “I don’t like!”
“But why, sweetie?” Marla asked. “Are the other kids mean?” But Johnny wouldn’t answer. Marla sighed. “Baby, mommy needs to go to work, but I tell you what… I’m going to come and get you from daycare early today, OK?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Johnny sat up in her lap. “No lunch?” He looked up at her anxiously. “No lunch, mommy?”
Lunch? The worried mom frowned. What was happening with her son?
Marla dropped Johnny off after promising she’d fetch him before lunch. He walked into the daycare quietly but threw Marla a pleading look that left her heartbroken.
She went to work and asked her boss for the afternoon off to deal with a personal issue. Thankfully, her boss was a mom too and understood!
Marla was determined to get to the bottom of Johnny’s reluctance to go to daycare. She decided to drop in — not before lunchtime as she promised Johnny — but during the meal.
Johnny’s daycare didn’t allow the parents into the children’s playrooms or the dining room, but each door of the facility had a large, clear glass window. Hopefully, Marla would be able to see what — if anything — was going on.
When she arrived, the receptionist told her the children were having lunch. Marla walked to the dining room and peered in. The kids were all sitting at their tables, eating.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
A teacher or an assistant supervised each table. Marla quickly spotted Johnny. There was a woman Marla didn’t recognize sitting next to him.
As Marla watched, the woman picked up Johnny’s spoon, scooped up a portion of mashed potatoes, and pressed it against his lips. “Eat!” she cried. Johnny shook his head violently, his mouth firmly closed, tears running down his cheeks.
“Open your mouth and eat!” the woman said angrily. Johnny was looking deeply distressed. The woman cried, “You are going to sit here until you clear your plate!”
Marla saw a small portion of mince, mash, and vegetables left on Johnny’s plate, and she knew her son. Johnny was not a big eater; she never pushed it when he told her he’d had enough.
Johnny opened his mouth to protest, and the teacher quickly pushed the spoon in. Marla saw her son choke and sputter. She’d had enough! She opened the door and stormed in.
“Get away from my son!” she cried.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The woman looked up, and her mouth hung open. “Parents aren’t allowed in the dining room!” she cried.
“Then they should be,” Marla said, reining in her anger. “Can’t you see Johnny’s had enough? He’s a healthy boy, but he is not a big eater. As an educator, you should know how traumatic force-feeding a child can be.
“Being forced to clean up the plate is an old-fashioned notion. You should be aware of the statistics and the causes of obesity and eating disorders in children.
“And one of them is making food an issue! My little boy is an active child, and if he feels he’s had enough, you need to respect that and not force him to eat.
“As for shoving food into a child’s mouth in that way, it is reprehensible! You should certainly know better. These children are not puppets for you to manipulate at will!
“They are little people with needs and a will of their own. If you don’t respect their boundaries, you teach them they don’t deserve respect. I don’t think that is a message you want to pass on!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
The teacher flushed a bright red and got to her feet. “I never…” she cried.
“That’s a pity,” Marla said crisply. “Because if this happens again, I will ensure you are out of a job! I’m not sending my son to daycare to be brutalized!”
Marla walked over to Johnny and tenderly wiped his mouth. “Come on, honey,” she said gently. “Mommy promised you a treat this afternoon!”
Marla had a long talk with Johnny, and there was no tantrum the next morning. Over the next few weeks, she popped into the daycare at lunch times just to keep an eye on things.
The teacher never forced Johnny to eat again, and the boy recovered his good humor and enthusiasm.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
What can we learn from this story?
- Children and their boundaries should be respected. Johnny’s teacher was teaching him that adults had the right to impose their will on children against their welfare.
- Raising a child is about setting and respecting boundaries — theirs and ours. A child whose boundaries are not respected is insecure and has low self-esteem.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
It took me 3 seconds to find the snake, what about you?
Nature has its way of playing tricks on our eyes, especially when it comes to animals that have mastered the art of camouflage. Today, we present you with a mind-boggling visual challenge: can you spot the hidden snake in this image?
At first glance, the picture may seem like a random mix of leaves, twigs, and dirt. But look closer—somewhere in the image, a snake is cleverly blending into its surroundings. Do you have the sharp eyes and patience to find it? Take a deep breath, focus, and see how quickly you can spot it!
Why Is This Puzzle So Tricky?
Many people struggle with this challenge because the snake is well-camouflaged with the environment. Its colors and patterns seamlessly merge with the leaves and sticks, making it almost invisible at first glance. Here are some common reasons why people have trouble spotting the snake:
- Your eyes are overwhelmed by the background. The forest floor is cluttered with leaves and branches, creating a pattern that hides the snake perfectly.
- Your brain ignores smaller details. Our minds are wired to focus on larger, more obvious objects. We often overlook smaller, hidden elements.
- You are looking for the wrong shape. Many people expect to see a perfectly coiled snake or a raised head. However, this snake is stretched out and blends with its surroundings.
Did you make any of these mistakes? Don’t worry—we’re about to guide you through the solution step by step!
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Hidden Snake
If you’re struggling to locate the snake, follow these steps to improve your visual focus and uncover the hidden reptile.
Video : Hidden Object Game – OPTICAL ILLUSION PUZZLE
Step 1: Scan the Image from Top to Bottom
Instead of randomly searching, start at the top and slowly scan downward. Many people rush through the image and miss crucial details. Move your eyes methodically from one section to another.
Step 2: Look for Unusual Patterns
A snake’s scales create a different texture compared to leaves and branches. Pay attention to anything that looks slightly out of place—maybe a curve that doesn’t match the direction of the sticks or a subtle shine that hints at snake skin.
Step 3: Focus on the Middle to Right Side
If you still haven’t found it, concentrate on the middle and right side of the image. The snake is stretched out and mimics the lines of the surrounding branches. Its body follows a winding pattern similar to the twigs, making it difficult to spot.
Step 4: Find the Snake’s Head or Eyes
One of the easiest ways to identify a hidden animal is by locating its eyes. Even when a creature is camouflaged, its eyes often stand out. Try searching for two small, dark spots that could be the snake’s eyes.
Step 5: Compare the Answer with Your Guess
If you’ve already spotted the snake, congratulations! If not, don’t worry—check the red-outlined area in the provided solution image. You’ll notice the snake’s body winding through the forest floor, blending almost perfectly with the background.
The Correct Answer: The Snake Is in the Red-Outlined Area!
Now that you see it, you’re probably wondering how you missed it before! The snake’s coloring and patterns are designed to help it remain hidden from predators and prey. This incredible natural camouflage is a survival mechanism, allowing the snake to remain undetected in the wild.
Why Are Some People Faster at Spotting the Snake?
Some people find the snake in seconds, while others take much longer. Here’s why:
- Sharp visual perception: Some individuals naturally notice small differences in patterns and colors faster than others.
- Experience with hidden object puzzles: If you regularly do brain teasers or optical illusions, your brain is better trained to detect hidden images.
- Attention to detail: Those who are detail-oriented tend to pick up on small irregularities faster than people who focus on the bigger picture.
- Patience and persistence: Some people rush and give up quickly, while others take their time and scan every part of the image carefully.
Video : Hidden object games, can you see it
If you took longer to find the snake, don’t be discouraged! The more you practice puzzles like this, the faster you’ll become at spotting hidden objects.
Why Are Camouflage and Optical Illusions So Fascinating?
This puzzle is not just a fun game—it also teaches us about the science of camouflage. Animals use camouflage to blend into their surroundings and avoid predators. Snakes, in particular, have evolved intricate color patterns to remain undetected in their environment.
Here’s why camouflage is such an incredible survival technique:
- Predators can’t easily detect hidden prey. Snakes and other animals use camouflage to avoid being seen by birds, larger mammals, or even humans.
- Prey animals can escape detection. Just as predators use camouflage to hunt, some animals hide using the same method to avoid being eaten.
- It helps balance nature. The ability to blend in is a crucial part of evolution, ensuring that species survive and adapt to their surroundings.
Final Thoughts: Keep Training Your Brain!
This “find the snake” challenge is a fantastic way to sharpen your observation skills, improve your patience, and have fun at the same time. Did you spot the snake quickly, or did it take you a while? Either way, puzzles like this train your brain to recognize patterns and details better, helping you become more observant in everyday life.
If you enjoyed this challenge, why not share it with your friends and see who finds the snake the fastest? Comment below with how long it took you to spot it, and stay tuned for more exciting puzzles to test your mind!
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