For weeks, my three-year-old son begged me not to take him to kindergarten. At first, I brushed it off—maybe he was just being fussy. But when his cheerful personality turned fearful and withdrawn, I knew something wasn’t right.
Then came the words that sent chills down my spine: “Mama, I don’t want to eat there.”
Janosch had never been a picky eater. Why would he suddenly refuse food at school?
The next day, I went back early and watched through the window. What I saw shattered me.
A teacher was forcing food into his mouth, her voice sharp and impatient. “Open up! Now!” she demanded as he sobbed and shook his head.
I stormed inside before she could take another bite. “Get away from him!” I yelled, scooping Janosch into my arms.
The teacher tried to act like I was the one out of line. “Parents aren’t allowed in during meals,” she said stiffly.
“And teachers aren’t allowed to terrorize children,” I snapped back.
We left that place for good that day. No child should ever be afraid to eat—or afraid to go to school.
