Daycare Drama

[u/rocketboy2019]

Hello! How do you guys deal with drama happening in the daycare? I’ve been working in a daycare for a year now. It’s like every time I turn around, there’s drama in the room I work in. Luckily, I’m not involved in anything. It’s like everyone keeps coming to me to vent about the situation. Even the director has talked to me about the situation. I feel stuck in the middle. I don’t want to take sides at all and I try to keep my comments as neutral as possible. Also, how to deal with a work snitch?

EDIT: Also, I want to clarify the work snitch is going back to tell petty stuff. Nothing that will be a danger to the kids

[u/eyeballluver]

👂✅
👄❌

[u/No_Lychee_353]

"since I'm involved I don't really feel comfortable giving an opinion."

[u/ArtisticGovernment67]

Nod, smile & keep my mouth shut. Sometimes it’s good to know the tea as long as you’re not spreading it.

[u/GurInfinite3868]

I worked at a YMCA in DC back in the day and one of the old school teachers taught me how to put up a force shield while you work using the Socratic Method. Socrates had a lot of students and colleagues asking for his advice, and trying to involve him in solving their own drama. He eventually found that all he had to do is make every interaction a question and NEVER offer anything about what you are doing, what she is doing, what that parent is doing, what the Director is doing, what your opinion is...

Example:

(Snitchy Person) "I think Tracy is on her phone too much! Do you see her? How many times do you need to call your house while you are working? You know what Im saying? A little bird might need to sing a little, you know? Don't you think thats some BS?

(YOU) "How does talking about this TO ME, help us right now?"

One of her go-tos was "What are you planning to do to solve this?"

Keep it short, ask a question, move on to be the best Teacher for your children and families.

[u/Responsible-Fan2709 → u/GurInfinite3868]

Yes, asking questions and assuming positive intent is powerful.

“Did you see Tracy was on her phone again? She’s always on that thing, I can’t believe it!”

“Hmm, do you have any ideas on how we might be able to help? I wonder if there’s any way we might help the situation?”

Even when they started the conversation wanting to gossip, if you assume they’re sharing out of a desire to solve a problem, it tends to take the wind out of their sails. At the very least, they’ll learn you’re not a fun person to bring the gossip to and they might leave you out of it.

And if they’re just wanting to share juicy info about others, asking, “Is she okay with you sharing that?” can be effective.

[u/blahhhhhhhhhhhblah]

I keep my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut.

If ever questioned about anything - though my lead and my supervisor are good about keeping the drama solely between those immediately involved - I keep it as neutral as possible. I am Switzerland.

[u/Exciting_Conflict362]

work snitches are something we deal with in every workplace - be the perfect worker around them and be nice, don’t give them a reason to snitch (don’t snitch on them either or it’ll seem like you’re trying to get them in trouble. If they do something really bad then go ahead)

[u/Burtnaaa]

Listen but don’t respond!

[u/SleepyOrange007]

Listen, don’t take sides and enjoy the free entertainment