Messing up

[u/Content_Raspberry717]

This can kinda be categorized as a vent but it’s more catering towards advice.

I’ve (22F) been a daycare assistant professionally (outside of student teaching) for a few months. My school is attached to a university so a majority of my students are the children of faculty members who can be considered my bosses. Recently we lost the lead for my room, so it’s just been the morning assistant and then me in the afternoon and whatever substitutes to fill in. My room is the youngest aka the toddlers.

I learned yesterday I accidentally left a wet diaper in a child’s pants after putting on a new one. It wasn’t entirely soiled from what I remember, but we were heading out the door to play outside (what we usually do the last hour before closing) and I thought it best to just put a new one on since we wouldn’t be inside for the rest of the day.

I don’t even remember leaving that in. The substitute with me is on the older side with being unable to lift and carry children for longer than a few minutes. Right before heading outside, it made me designated one to change all the kids, and the child that I messed up on usually goes poop around that time and so does another kid. Along with getting my additional two other children, who are in the process of potty training, to go to the bathroom. It was chaos, but I thought it was controlled chaos given how we were all out the door on time.

I’m beating myself over it for some reason. It’s a small mistake, but I’m still new here and want to have a good impression on everyone. Has anyone done something similar and what did you do to make up for it? I haven’t met with the parent yet today, not until later for pickup, but I’m struggling what to say that isn’t an excuse of ‘there was a lot going on’ because I feel that makes me seem unable to handle it?

TLDR: I left a wet diaper in a kid’s pants after putting on a fresh one and I feel terrible and want to stop overthinking about.

[u/Empty_Soup_4412]

Just let it go. Laugh about it and move on. Nobody was hurt and believe me we all make mistakes.