A young mother and child came up to the circ desk this weekend with a library card application filled out. The mom wanted to get a card for her daughter and they just moved to the area so she did not have a proof of local residency, so they wouldn't be able to check anything out.
The mom looks down at her daughter who is clutching a 'Dora the Explorer' picture book with both hands then looks at me, leans towards me and whispers, "Can you tell her she can't take that book home?"
This was the first time I was ever asked to break some little kid's heart like that so I guess my facial expression and lack of reply gave away my surprise at her request. So after an awkward moment of silence the mom looks down at her daughter and tells her, "You can't take that book home, it's HIS book." Seeing as how she already put me out there like that, I leaned over the desk and tried to tell her that she could come back tomorrow and pick it up. The girl instantly teared up and the mom looks at me and says, "She always cries." I'm thinking, then why the hell didn't you just tell her 'No' to begin with!?!? Why involve me in your scheme??
As they're walking off with the little girl still crying, the assistant branch manager commented about someone being unhappy and I told her what happened. She patted me on the shoulder and told me that, "it's okay, we all know you're not that mean."
I can't believe you haven't had to do something like this before. I am constantly breaking children's hearts as per their parents orders.
ReplyDeleteNo, that event was my cherry-popper. I can't see it getting any less awkward with experience though.
ReplyDeleteParents should just step-up and do it!
If Little Johnny gets all riled up and ends up resenting his parents because they wouldn't let him borrow that Pokemon book when he was 5, then the parents can use all the money saved from borrowing from the library for therapy in the future!