Special: Mitchell Tried Big Boy Mode And Got Farted On 2
Later in the week, Colt decided to treat Mitchell to something special. It had been a busy few days at Shepherd's Daycare, and Colt thought a change of scenery—and maybe a little reward—might be just what they both needed. "What do you say we go off-campus for lunch today, buddy?" Colt asked as he helped Mitchell zip up his jacket.
Mitchell's eyes lit up with excitement. "Lunch outside? Where, Colt?"
Colt smiled knowingly. "How about some fast food? But there's one condition," he added, holding up a finger as they walked toward the car. "You’ve got to drink your bottle in the car—half before we eat, and the other half after. Deal?"
Mitchell nodded enthusiastically, bouncing slightly in his seat as Colt buckled him in. "Deal!" he said, gripping his favorite bottle tightly.
The short drive to the fast-food spot was filled with Mitchell’s excited chatter about french fries and milkshakes. True to his word, he drank half the bottle during the ride, pausing occasionally to giggle at Colt’s silly commentary on the radio ads playing in the background.
When they arrived, Mitchell clutched his bottle and looked at Colt expectantly. "I finished the first part, Colt! Can we get lunch now?"
Colt grinned, ruffling Mitchell’s hair. "You’re doing great, big guy. Let's grab some food." They headed inside, and soon after, Mitchell was happily munching on nuggets and fries, his laughter contagious as he recounted his favorite moments of the week.
Once lunch was finished, Colt gave Mitchell a playful look. "Alright, kiddo, you know the drill—time to finish the bottle before we head back."
Mitchell pouted for a moment, but Colt raised an eyebrow with a teasing smirk. "Nope, no grumpy faces. A deal's a deal, remember?" With a chuckle, Mitchell held up the bottle and drank the rest while Colt praised him warmly.
As they drove back to the daycare, Mitchell leaned back in his seat, visibly content. Colt glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled. Moments like this weren’t just about food and routines; they were about building trust and creating little pockets of joy in the busy whirlwind of their days.
As they arrived back at the daycare, Colt parked the car and helped Mitchell out, sending him off to the nap area with one of the caregivers. Just as Colt was about to head back to his usual duties, a firm voice called out his name. Turning, he saw his supervisor standing by the office door with a clipboard in hand.
"Colt, can I have a word?" the supervisor asked, their tone leaving no room for negotiation. Colt nodded, his stomach twisting slightly, and followed them into the office. Inside, the supervisor handed him a piece of paper—a written warning. "We’ve reviewed the records, and it seems you lowballed one of Mitchell’s progress grades. This kind of oversight isn’t acceptable, Colt, even if your intentions were in the right place." He apologized and accepted the warning, though the disappointment lingered as he left the office.
When Colt returned to the main room, he noticed Mitchell peacefully napping on his small cot. Deciding it was better to push aside the tense moment, Colt walked over quietly and leaned down over Mitchell. Then, in a move born from both humor and mischief, he delivered a loud fart right above the boy’s head.
Mitchell stirred, blinking groggily, before the sound registered. His laughter exploded, filling the quiet room, and Colt joined in, grinning from ear to ear. The other boys nearby started laughing too, the atmosphere lightening instantly. Colt ruffled Mitchell’s hair as the boy giggled uncontrollably. It wasn’t the most conventional way to ease the tension, but for Colt, it worked perfectly. Moments like these were what mattered most.
After his nap, Mitchell was full of energy and immediately jumped back into playing with the blocks in the corner of the room. Colt had to remind him to stay on task, prompting the boy to sit back down at his desk to finish his worksheet. When Mitchell asked about having his pamper changed, Colt sighed and told him he would have to wait until the end of the day. He quickly jotted the note on Mitchell's chart before storing it in the closet for later.
When it came time to review the letter tracing worksheet Mitchell had worked on earlier, Colt didn’t sugarcoat his feedback. He circled the uneven and jagged letters on the page with a red pen and gave the worksheet a D. Mitchell pouted but didn’t argue. Later, Colt brought the worksheet to his supervisor for a second opinion, and his supervisor agreed. "It’s fair," they said with a nod. Colt felt reassured by the validation as he returned to the classroom, ready to help Mitchell improve the next time.
Colt called Mitchell into the office later that afternoon. Mitchell hesitated as he stepped inside, his eyes widening at the sight of a giant stack of Gerber jars, formula bottles, and an enormous tower of Pampers neatly arranged in the corner. Colt gestured to the setup as he knelt to look Mitchell in the eyes. "Alright, buddy," he said, his tone firm but not unkind, "it's time to say goodbye to the idea of wearing big boy undies to preschool for a while." Mitchell’s cheeks flushed, but he stayed quiet, his hands fidgeting nervously. "From now on, you’re going to use your Pampers confidently—and no shorts either," Colt continued, making sure Mitchell understood. "You’re not in trouble, but we’re going to make sure you stay comfortable and focused on what really matters, okay?" Mitchell nodded slowly, still processing his new reality.
Mitchell sat quietly for a while, but as the day went on, frustration bubbled to the surface. Later, while Colt was tidying up, Mitchell blurted out, "I don’t need this! I’m not a baby!" His voice shook with emotion, but his words carried defiance. Colt paused, his expression firm but still calm. "Mitchell," he said, kneeling down to meet his gaze, "We talked about this earlier. I know you're upset, but talking back isn’t how we solve things."
When Mitchell crossed his arms and looked away, Colt decided it was time for a timeout. He gently guided Mitchell to the timeout chair in the corner of the room. "Since you’re feeling big feelings, you can sit here a while and think about how we use our words," Colt said firmly. As he leaned over the chair to adjust it, a deep, rumbling sound escaped. Mitchell crinkled his nose in surprise, and Colt simply smiled. "Maybe you can think about that one too," he teased lightly, "but remember, use baby words when you’re ready to talk again, okay?"
Mitchell huffed but stayed in the chair, clearly unsure whether to laugh or keep pouting as he processed everything Colt had said.
Mitchell sat in the chair for a few more moments, his frown slowly softening. Eventually, he looked up at Colt with a shy expression. "I'm sorry for yelling, Colt," he mumbled quietly, his cheeks pink. "I... I was just so mad." He shifted uncomfortably in the chair before looking back up. "But, um... thank you for being funny and... farting near me. It... made me laugh a little, even though I didn’t want to."
Colt chuckled, ruffling Mitchell's hair gently. "Apology accepted, kiddo. And you're welcome, I guess," he replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Mitchell hesitated before adding in a small voice, "And... thanks for taking the potty away earlier. I didn’t mean to say what I said. You're really nice to me, even when I’m not being nice." Colt nodded warmly, pulling Mitchell into a quick, reassuring hug. "You're learning, buddy, and that's what matters."
Background: Colt's approach throughout the story highlights a blend of professionalism and compassion, which are cornerstones of his character. Colt brings experience and emotional intelligence to his role, qualities that are vital when working with young children like Mitchell. His consistent patience, playful demeanor, and ability to enforce boundaries in a supportive way demonstrate a deep understanding of child development. Colt’s decision to balance playful moments with firm guidance ensures that Mitchell feels both cared for and held accountable, which promotes trust and growth.
Professionally, Colt’s actions reflect a commitment to doing what is in the child’s best interest, even when it’s not the easiest choice. Whether addressing behavior, reinforcing habits like finishing the bottle, or implementing structured changes, Colt ensures every decision aligns with fostering Mitchell’s progress and emotional well-being. While his methods might sometimes blur the line between formality and humor, Colt uses these moments to diffuse tension and maintain a positive environment for growth. Ultimately, his professionalism lies in his ability to connect on a personal level while keeping the bigger developmental picture in view—a balance not everyone can achieve but one Colt embodies seamlessly.
Instructions:
Answer each question in one paragraph based on the events described in the story.
What prompted Colt to decide on taking Mitchell off-campus for lunch?
What condition did Colt give Mitchell before they went to the fast-food restaurant?
How did Mitchell react to Colt’s suggestion of lunch outside?
What did Colt and Mitchell talk about during their drive to the fast-food spot?
What did Mitchell do during the car ride to meet Colt’s condition for lunch?
What was Mitchell’s reaction when they arrived at the fast-food restaurant?
What was the meal that Mitchell enjoyed at the fast-food restaurant?
How did Colt ensure Mitchell followed through with their deal at lunch?
What was Mitchell’s mood as they drove back to Shepherd's Daycare?
Who called out to Colt when he returned to Shepherd's Daycare and what was the purpose?
What feedback did Colt receive from his supervisor regarding a grading issue?
How did Colt respond when Mitchell peacefully napped after lunch?
What humorous action did Colt take to lighten the mood in the nap area?
How did Mitchell and the other boys in the room react to Colt’s humor?
What task did Colt remind Mitchell to complete after his nap?
What feedback did Colt give regarding Mitchell’s letter tracing worksheet?
How did Mitchell react to the grade he received for his worksheet?
What did Colt do with the worksheet after grading it?
What did Mitchell find in Colt’s office later that afternoon?
What new instructions did Colt give Mitchell regarding using Pampers?
How did Mitchell initially respond to the new instructions about his Pampers?
What caused Colt to guide Mitchell to the timeout chair?
What humorous comment did Colt make to lighten Mitchell’s time in the timeout chair?
What emotions did Mitchell express while sitting in the timeout chair?
What did Mitchell say when he apologized to Colt after his timeout?
How did Mitchell explain his earlier frustration to Colt?
How did Colt respond to Mitchell’s apology and explanations?
What did Mitchell thank Colt for regarding their earlier discussion?
How did Colt reassure Mitchell after their conversation?
What overall dynamic between Colt and Mitchell is highlighted in their interactions in the story?