20 realities of playtime duty

1. You have a designated "playtime duty" coat.

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2. You regularly find hair clips / hair ties in said coat.

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3. You frantically make cups of tea for others on playtime duty in the hope that they'll return the favour for you.

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4. You're almost as good as a doctor at analysing if a child's limp is real or put on.

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5. You often have to "oooh" and "aaaah" at wobbly teeth.

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6. You build up a collection of interesting leaves or unusual stones having received them as presents. You can't throw them away without breaking some little hearts so you end up putting them in your playtime duty coat pocket along with the hair accessories.

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7. You've noticed that windy days and crazy playtime behaviour seem to go hand in hand.

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8. You have a lot more volume in your hair after windy playtime duties. You often don't see the effect until you get into your house and get embarrassed about who saw you in the supermarket looking like that.

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9. You desperately stare out the window on rainy days, hoping that it will ease up, even if just for your playtime duty.

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10. You rush to the microwave/fridge before other colleagues, in order to squeeze in something to eat on playtime duty days.

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11. You become an expert at identifying real and false claims of needing to go to the toilet.

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12. You feel extremely smug when you're not rostered for playtime duty for several days running.

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13. You become as experienced as a qualified football referee, even if you have only a passing interest.

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14. You hear yourself saying "Well, tell them that the teacher said not to say/do that!"

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15. You cross your fingers and hope that you won't be on duty in the infant yard in September and have to teach them how to line up.

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16. You bribe an "active" child with the honour of ringing the bell at the end of the break if they have managed to make "good choices."

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17. You're well able to roar out "Déanaigí líne!" when someone forgets the bell.

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18. You've said the phrase "You'll be alright before you're married" on more than one occasion... and then rolled your eyes because you realise you're sounding like your parents.

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19. You hate Monday playtime duty because you miss out on the gossip from the weekend in the staff room.

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20. On your duty day, the neighbouring classroom teacher will expect you to pop your head in the door and give that secret look to signal that you're off for your long-overdue bathroom visit.

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*clipart in the main image from MyCuteGraphics.