Houdini

Keilah somehow managed to escape unnoticed from her class at church today. Again. This is now the second time...at least that I know of, though I suspect she may have done it one other time that I was not made aware of.

Thankfully I was helping out with childcare in the 4 year olds' classroom which is right next door to Keilah's class. I saw her wandering around the courtyard through the window and went out and grabbed her. Who knows where she would have gone or done if I had not stopped her. I am most certain that no one else would have noticed anything was wrong. Any other woman outside would have just assumed that she had been released from class and her mother was nearby.

I *thought* Keilah's teacher was scared enough after having lost Keilah the first time that it would not happen again. Apparently it wasn't enough, so this time I talked to the woman who is in charge of all the classes on Friday mornings. She is escaping when other moms come and pick up their kids from class. So now her teacher is to stand watch at the door for the last 15 minutes of class and they are considering putting up a barracade at the door. We also had a talk with Keilah about not leaving class until one of us (me, teacher, or supervisor) is with her.

I know part of the problem is with Keilah, but at this point I am not really sure what to do or say to get her to understand how dangerous it is for her to be out there by herself (big water fountains, cars backing up, etc). I know she heard us because I made her repeat it back to me, but I don't think she really gets it or she thinks it is some kind of game. She is so independent and free spirited. I know that will serve her well later in life, but for now it scares the heck out of me. :sigh: