Being "Consistent"

There's something that has bothered me so I'm venting here.

I get so tired of people saying that certain things are done (or not done) a certain way because "we must be consistent."

Example #1: In Kylie's first grade class the students are seated in groups of 4 desks. If they are good that day they each get a sticker. But, if one student does something bad, no one gets a sticker. I don't think this is right. What exactly is the teacher trying to teach? Teamwork? Maybe. But I would think that if "Billy" goofs off and the other three kids don't get stickers, they will end up mad at "Billy" and with good reason. There have been many days when Kylie gets home and tells me that she once again did not get a sticker because of another child.

Example #2: At church we put Sophie in the nursery. Technically the nursery is only for kids up to age 3. However Sophie is very tiny for her age (there are 2 year olds who are her size) and doesn't misbehave. Her friend Kiersten is 2.5 and is taller than Sophie. Kiersten is in the nursery which is one reason why Sophie likes the nursery. She's gone to the 3-4 year old bible class but just doesn't enjoy it. The first several months we started attending church she would not leave my side, so just the fact that she now willingly goes to the nursery without me is a huge deal.

However, today I was pulled aside and told that Sophie is not allowed to be in the nursery anymore. I was reassured several times by this person that Sophie is "perfect" and plays nicely. I was told that there were some older children who were causing trouble so therefore Sophie cannot be there anymore "because we have to be consistent."

Sorry, but I think that's baloney. If an older child is causing trouble, simply tell the parents that the child must go to a more appropriate class. But to essentially punish Sophie because of another child's actions, all for the sake of "consistency"....well I think that's wrong. So, effective immediately I'll be either staying home with Sophie on Sunday mornings or I'll find another church.