A three-year-old boy throws tantrums and pleads with his mother not to take him to daycare. Concerned, she decides to visit unannounced, and what she discovers leaves her stunned.

“No, mommy, no!” Johnny flung himself onto the floor, screaming. Marla Evans sighed, frustrated. Not again! If Johnny had a full-blown tantrum, she’d be late once more.

She looked at her three-year-old in exasperation. Johnny had been attending daycare for two years and always enjoyed it. But suddenly, for the past week, he had been causing a scene, begging Marla not to take him.

She had consulted with their pediatrician, who mentioned that toddlers often go through the ‘terrible threes.’ “Stop it!” Marla shouted, surprising even herself, then saw the fear in Johnny’s eyes. Something wasn’t right.

Marla realized this was more than just a tantrum, but what could it be?

“Honey, I’m sorry. Mommy didn’t mean to yell. Why don’t you like daycare anymore?”

Johnny trembled in her arms and whispered, “I don’t like it!”

“But why, sweetie?” Marla asked. “Are the other kids mean?” Yet Johnny didn’t answer. Marla sighed. “Baby, mommy has to go to work, but I promise I’ll come to get you early today, okay?”

Johnny perked up in her lap. “No lunch?” He looked up at her with anxious eyes. “No lunch, mommy?”

Lunch? Marla frowned in concern. What was going on with her son?

Marla dropped Johnny off, promising to pick him up before lunch. He entered the daycare quietly but cast a pleading look back at her that broke her heart.

At work, Marla requested the afternoon off for a personal matter. Her boss, also a mom, understood.

Determined to uncover the reason behind Johnny’s reluctance, Marla decided to drop by the daycare—not before lunch, as promised, but during the meal.

Johnny’s daycare didn’t allow parents into the playrooms or dining areas, but each door had a large window. Marla hoped to observe any issues.