Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bullet Proof

We're definitely in new territory here, with Joy's ongoing rocky kindergarten transition.

Joy is still bringing the unhappy to school (not all-day every-day by any means, but plenty), and the incidents in which she's doing so with her teeth are starting to pile up.

I'm impressed at how her staff are able to greet her (and me) with a smile, after some of the bite encounters they've been having...

Fortunately the problem-solving is in full swing, with a district consultant who comes highly recommended. Most of the initial thoughts so far are behavioral, which is surely along the right track. But one of the expert insights on the physical side that hadn't even occurred to me was this:
Kevlar sleeve with thumb hole
Kevlar sleeves for Joy's staff!

I'd no idea this product existed, but I guess it makes sense. The market is primarily for industrial safety. Or, as a reviewer on Amazon said, it's great for getting into the rose bushes and berry canes. Might have to get a pair for myself to do double-duty with gardening and safety -- I got a bite on my hand this morning that would have been mitigated with the sleeves. And maybe folks would just assume that I'm treating a bad case of carpal tunnel or something.

Unfortunately, this doesn't address another prime biting target, as my own experience can attest. Next item we need in Kevlar is something like this:

Sports Bra
Sigh.

7 comments:

kristina said...

Still chuckling over that second photo, it makes me think of a crazy movie called 'The Linguini Incident'....

The staff at Charlie's school all have these arm guards that apparently football players wear. We bought some too as Charlie can sense that little bit of tenseness and resistance. It's one of those preventive measures that, I've realized, changes out behavior, and so helps Charlie (I hope!).

Hoping the district consultant has some good recommendations.

Anonymous said...

Joy Mama: You are in luck. Found it on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Bulletproof-Body-Armor-Vest-3A-2-SAPI-Plates-III-XL-/200455893195?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eac1a30cb

Uncle Marathon

JoyMama said...

Uncle Marathon - doesn't look like quite my contours (or price range). But thanx anyway.

Lynda said...

Wow, I've never seen those. They certainly could be helpful. Both to prevent the bites and to help the teachers feel more relaxed.
If they're used, I'll be very curious to hear the outcome.

Lynn said...

Yeah, a Kevlar vest would probably be prohibitive for a number of reasons. You need one of those Madonna cone bras...

JoyMama said...

Lynn - Don't think for a minute that I didn't contemplate how to make the Madonna cone-bra idea sufficiently family-friendly for this blog! Or Lady Gaga's fire-throwing version.

But I gave up and went with the sports bra. Better coverage, less titillation -- oh well.

JoyMama said...

Lynda -- one of Joy's staffers is wearing the gauntlets regularly now, the other doesn't appear to be. Will let you know the reviews.