Plays Well With Others

A checked “Plays well with others,” box was a staple on my elementary school report cards. In fact, I loved school because it was one of the few places where this attention seeking only child could always be sure there would be other kids to play with and where there was always something to stir my creative juices and challenge my brain.

However, there was a catch. Ms. Bossypants should have been stapled on  my forehead. I wanted to be second only to the teacher, whom I did concede, was smarter than I: it came with the height, I believed. Sometimes this independence was to my teachers' delight in that I volunteered my budding teaching prowess on those moving a little slowly in comparison to the class. On the other hand, a teacher informed my mom that my four year old self  was worrying more about other preschoolers needing help and helping them get their work done, that I was neglecting to take care of mine.

You know what they say about patterns...I find I’m still worrying about others getting their work done; students, other teachers, it doesn't matter. I’m stuck somewhere in between the, “If not me then who,” and “No one’s going to tell me what to do" zone of proximal development. Remnants of Ms. Bossypants are alive and kicking. She shows up in meetings and creeps into thoughts so much so, that I hope my eyes don’t betray the comments swirling behind them. “Why can’t you just…” and “What is it you don’t get,” pop into mind. Truly, I still need to worry about me, even just a little, instead of the world.

Though, I do believe my teachers would be proud. The world needs well practiced members of the Bossypants Battalion, too! Some things never change. I don't think I could stop if I tried and I'm OK with that.