We’ve all seen, heard (and probably been) a child throwing a temper-tantrum in public. It’s awful and embarrassing for the parents, and disruptive to everyone around them.
But once a child is at their temper-tantrum throwing level, there’s not much anyone can do to calm them down. At least not quickly.
Every parent knows it takes a delicate balance to calm a child down.
Do you ignore them? Should you be stern? Is it best to calmly try to talk them down? It’s really a matter of juggling all three. Just one of the many reasons being a parent is the hardest job in the world!
Sherry White was well versed in how to manage children well before she became a stay-at-home mom.
As a third-grade teacher, she has seen more than a few temper-tantrums in her day!
But even she shared to her blog, that it was harder when raising her own children.
“Nothing in all those years of teaching other people’s kids, prepared me for raising my own.”
None of the books, blogs, babysitting, or time spend with other people’s children can ever prepare you. No matter how hard you try.
https://www.facebook.com/themessychristian/photos/a.814996515303568.1073741828.814612375341982/840624789407407/?type=3&theater
And those words rang especially true for her while shopping with her daughter recently at T.J. Maxx.
Her toddler threw an elaborate temper-tantrum in the middle of the store, and it was so epic… that it was worthy of Sherry sharing the experience to her Facebook page.
At least she had a good sense of humor about it all!
“My daughter just had the worst tantrum of her life. And of course it was at home so I could have home court advantage.
Just kidding it was at T.J. Maxx.”
She tried every trick in the play book, but nothing was working to calm her daughter down. She was too far gone.
It seemed like everyone in the store was staring at her, and judging her mothering skills.
She was stressed, and just waiting for someone to tell her off or complain.
“I just knew they had to be thinking what kind of brat [has she] raised, because I was thinking the same thing. She was being defiant and angry and it was not pretty.”
As she was trying to figure out what to do with her out-of-control little one, a woman approached her.
“This lady a little older than myself walked by and smiled and she came over and squeezed my arm and whispered ‘it’s okay, you’re doing great’.”
It was a small gesture, but it was so kind during a stressful time, that it brought tears to Sherry’s eyes.
All it took was five simple words.
Now it wasn’t just one, but the two of them crying – mother and daughter. Granted, Sherry was doing it calmly and silently, unlike her toddler.
“Without knowing it, I needed to hear that. Because I didn’t feel like I was doing great. I felt like a total mommy failure with an out of control kid.”
But then, after what felt like an eternity and a situation that would never end, the flare of emotions passed and the crying toddler calmed down.
Sherry wanted to find the woman and thank her, but she was nowhere to be found. She must have also been a mother to understand exactly what Sherry was going through and how badly she needed that little boost.
She shared her story with her Facebook friends and followers in the hopes that others could learn from the kind woman at T.J. Maxx.
While others were making her feel terrible when she couldn’t control this situation, one stood out and instead tried to encourage her.
When it’s not constructive to criticize someone, it’s better to be kind.
By offering someone a helping hand, or words of encouragement, you may have a bigger impact than you know.
Be kind, be gentle, and be patient. And then, hopefully, people will do the same for you.
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