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Middle School Teacher Kept an Empty Chair in the Classroom for 53 Years to Teach Kids This One Important Lesson

At the tender age of 9 years old, Dan Gill learned a lesson he will never forget. This middle school teacher spent more than 50 years in the classroom, using an empty chair to teach his students the same lesson. 

Truck Driver Kills Pastor’s Toddler & Unborn Baby—2 Yrs Later, His Wife’s Ultrasound Reveals Unbelievable News

"The situation is a frustrating one. We don’t want to be here. We don’t like it. This is not a fun situation. We’re mad at the loss. But we know God is good and has a plan and we believe that.”

21 Heartfelt Love Songs for Him: The Ultimate Playlist to Capture Your Man’s Heart

Explore our curated list of love songs for him, perfect for dedicating to your boyfriend, crush, or husband. From classic tunes to modern hits across genres like country and R&B, find the perfect melody to express your love and make him feel cherished.

“THE FREAKING ELF IS IN THE OVEN!”: Mom’s Epic ‘Elf on Shelf’ Fail Is 100% Hysterical

The good ol’ “Elf on the Shelf” has been an increasingly popular Christmas tradition keeping our little ones in line ’til Santa comes since 2005. But for parents, maintaining the magic power and stealthy moves of this lil’ fella can be quite the chore.

Texas mother Brittany Mease knows this ALL too well. Her perceptive children started to get a little concerned when their family’s elf, Elfis, stayed in the same spot for 14 whole days last Christmas season. Not wanting to raise suspicion, Brittany quickly threw Elfis in the oven, intending to move him later when the kids weren’t paying attention.

Little did she know that just a couple of days later, she would pay dearly for her seemingly harmless move that resulted in broken hearts, one extra-charred elf, and a hysterical uproar from her Internet spectators.

Brittany’s holiday faux pas has since become a viral sensation reminding mamas everywhere not to take this elf-ing parenting thing too seriously. Read her hilarious Facebook post in full below:

“Mom of the Year award goes to Yours truly.

Y’all know I can’t stand doing Elf on the Shelf, but I suck it up every year and do it to see those precious smiles on my beautiful children’s faces.

Elfis, our elf that we’ve had for 5 years, arrived on December 1st with a broken leg— and blamed it on the kids for leaving their toys out, saying he tripped and broke his leg; but Doc McStuffins fixed him up and put a cast on him. The note told the kids that he was on strict bedrest orders and couldn’t move for 14 days. (Mom win, right? I just got a free pass to not worry about moving that creepy guy for TWO WEEKS! Heck yeah!)

The other day, the kids noticed that it had been longer than 14 days and he hadn’t moved; so when they weren’t looking, I grabbed him off the kitchen counter and quickly tossed him in the oven (until I could move him later and not raise any suspicion). They have been waiting for him to come back for a couple days, but life’s been a little crazy with Gray being super sick (and my life being a joke in general) so… I forgot. I seriously forgot I put the freaking elf in the freaking oven!

Today, the kids wanted leftover pasta for lunch. Gray likes it when I bake leftover pasta, because he says it tastes better so that’s exactly what I did. (I will literally do anything to get him to eat right now, since he’s not had an appetite lately…)

I preheated the oven and started cleaning the kitchen. About four minutes later, I started to smell something REALLY funky; and that’s when all hell broke loose, and I broke my son’s heart…

Kelsey Straeter
Kelsey Straeter
Kelsey is an editor at Outreach. She’s passionate about fear fighting, freedom writing, and the pursuit of excellence in the name of crucifying perfectionism. Glitter is her favorite color, 2nd only to pink, and 3rd only to pink glitter.

Middle School Teacher Kept an Empty Chair in the Classroom for 53 Years to Teach Kids This One Important Lesson

At the tender age of 9 years old, Dan Gill learned a lesson he will never forget. This middle school teacher spent more than 50 years in the classroom, using an empty chair to teach his students the same lesson. 

Truck Driver Kills Pastor’s Toddler & Unborn Baby—2 Yrs Later, His Wife’s Ultrasound Reveals Unbelievable News

"The situation is a frustrating one. We don’t want to be here. We don’t like it. This is not a fun situation. We’re mad at the loss. But we know God is good and has a plan and we believe that.”

21 Heartfelt Love Songs for Him: The Ultimate Playlist to Capture Your Man’s Heart

Explore our curated list of love songs for him, perfect for dedicating to your boyfriend, crush, or husband. From classic tunes to modern hits across genres like country and R&B, find the perfect melody to express your love and make him feel cherished.