Don't take it too hard, Nash, it might be scary and it might not. If the boss in a place like that hears even the tiniest rumor, she has to check it out whether she wants to or not. You could make a good move by thanking her for making the effort to ask around and get the information needed to defend you.

Then just say you always follow house rules wherever you work, and ask if you accidentally broke any by deploying your child care skills from other daycare jobs in this one. If not, ask if she thinks that this particular group of parents will never be comfortable with your 'favorite uncle' approach, or if they are just checking the new guy and will be fine as soon as they know you're ok.

You might see some changes in that type of job, because your scene with the parents is a little like a Hitchcock movie - they are like Salem villagers running around saying 'there might be a witch here.' The media is teaching them that Mr. Crooked Nose might be out there licking his lips in any acts of kindness to kids. But one thing a relative of mine found out, too, is that all social service type jobs these days are demanding a kind of formality with kids that is sort of like what they get from the family doctor. Anyone getting too friendly is going to get in trouble even when there is no worry about sexual stuff. It's about discipline and an idea of how a professional acts. Kids are probably NOT going to be pleased by being surrounded by all these stuffy professionals, but they are not paying the bills or the taxes.

You could probably find a happy medium.

My YF, who knows everything, taught me the hip hop dap. See how-to lesson at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pv11hUduAk

Keeps a distance, has a little dance to make kids laugh, looks kinda macho, but still includes a hug.

You can also start it off by touching fists together before coming in for the hug.

• ( http link ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pv11hUduAk&feature=related
[Anonymouse]